A large crowd gathered inside the Kingfisher High School cafeteria Monday for a vote by the board of education that never took place.

Board members took no action on item that would “offer reasonable assurance of extra-duty assignments” for a number of positions that included everything from coaching duties to club sponsors to gate workers for sporting events.

More than 80 people signed in as guests at the meeting. Prior to it, a text message had circulated that requested a large turnout.

“Make your voices heard!” the text message read, in part. “Contact school board members today to vote to rehire all extra-duty positions, including the football coaches. The board meeting is Monday, May 2, 7 p.m. at the Admin Building.”

The text went on to say: “This is an open public meeting, so if there is a large enough turnout, there should be a vote to move it to the high school to accommodate those in attendance.”

Due to the large crowd, board members voted shortly after the meeting was called to order to reconvene from their regular meeting site to the cafeteria.

A number of other personnel moves were on the agenda.

Four of the five members – as well as Superintendent Dr. Daniel Craig – took part in a 37-minute executive session.

Before it began, board member Terry Payne read this statement: “Mr. President, I will not be a part of this hiring process and will not be attending any executive sessions that discuss personnel. So I am recusing myself, but will be attending executive sessions on other topics.”

When asked by the Times & Free Press if he wanted to elaborate on his decision, Payne declined.

He did not vote on any of the personnel decisions after the executive session.

No board members voted on the item (Item No. 7) pertaining to the extra-duty assignments.

Charles Walker, who was voted vice president earlier in the meeting, spoke up first.

“No action on No. 7 because that’s an annual contract that expires June 30,” Walker said.

“We don’t have appropriations until after July 1, so this will be addressed upon Dr. Craig’s recommendations after July 1.”

Current contracts with teachers, including extra-duty contracts, expire at the end of the fiscal year, which is June 30.

After Walker finished, Carly Franks added: “And at that point Dr. Craig would assign them, correct?

“Item 7 should actually be on the August meeting – or actually after July 1. Anytime after July 1 we can vote on the extra-duty allocations and then Dr. Craig will make the assignments.”

An item that called for “an offer of reasonable assurance of employment to the support personnel” was approved.

According to state law, districts must offer support personnel they intend to continue to employ the next school year such an offer of reasonable assurance prior to June 1, Craig explained.

He said a letter will be sent out to the listed 73 support staff members providing that offer.