One of the perks for some Kingfisher Public Schools teachers is going to be a bit more expensive at the beginning of next year.

The cost to use Little Stingers - the day care open only to KPS faculty and staff - will increase beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

The rate increase was approved Nov. 4 by the Kingfisher Board of Education at its regular meeting.

“We can’t afford to subsidize it like we have been,” said Interim Superintendent Andy Evans.

Little Stingers was opened in September 2022 by then-Superintendent David Glover.

It’s housed in the former Head Start building just east of Kingfisher Heritage School.

Rates have been $500 a month for the first child and $300 for each additional child.

The increase moves it to $625 and $350, respectively.

The rate increase was discussed previously by the board, but members didn’t want to make the move without notice.

“We agreed to give teachers a little bit of time,” said Carly Franks.

Little Stingers has capacity for 22 children. There are currently 18 enrolled, according to Heritage Principal Lisa Meier, who also serves as the director for the program.

Members approved a resolution calling for an election for seat No. 5 on the board.

The seat is currently held by Carly Franks, who is nearing the end of her second term. Franks has said she will not run again.

The filing period for the open board seat will be Dec. 2-4 at the Kingfisher County Election Board office at the county courthouse.

A primary election will be held Feb. 11, 2025, if three or more candidates file for the seat.

If only two people file, there won’t be a vote until the April 1, 2025, general election.

The person who claims the seat will serve a five-year term.

The board also voted to request bids for diesel, fuel and DEF tanks and delivery services.

Evans said it would save the district money to be able to have the tanks at the bus facility.

The winning bidder, he said, would provide the tanks and deliver the fuel and diesel.

In other moves at the meeting, the board: • Approved a contract with Tiffany Jenkins to provide academic language therapy services; • Approved a contract with R.K. Black to extend its current copier lease;

• Approved fundraiser requests for the Kingfisher Upper Elementary faculty and the Kingfisher High School boys soccer program;

• Accepted the resignations of Lidia Almaraz as secretary at KUE and Maricza Lopez at Little Stingers; and,

• Approved Angela Longacre as KUE secretary in addition to her cashier duty.