Hennessey school board members were quick to agree with Superintendent Jason Sternberger that a second agriculture education teacher is needed this fall to expand offerings in leadership, public speaking and career development.

There are currently about 80 students in that program, said board President Dr. James Matousek and Clerk Amy Charmasson, at the board’s earlier than usual meeting at 5 p.m. Monday.

From the audience Middle School Principal Ricardo Tarango echoed that need.

He has eighth graders who’ve wanted to participate, but there were no openings, he told board members.

Sternberger said he’d get the job opening posted and estimated the salary at $60-$65,000.

He said the school would probably have to pay all of that because it’s too late to apply for a state Career Tech salary reimbursement grant.

The ag building is across the street from the high school.

It has a divider in the classroom that can be opened and closed and there was discussion about construction of an additional classroom there, or at the ag barn which is currently used only for animals.

The superintendent and board members agreed that ag teacher Jorge Huizar deserves credit for making the program what it is today and getting students involved.

He has taught at HPS for 11 years.

Mineral Rights on Maple Grove School Land

The superintendent said he’d received a letter that morning – dated May 9 – from Blake Production Co. about a well the company is drilling in the west half of Section 21-19N-07W.

He said it’s on an old school property and when they close it’s usually deeded to a nearby school.

“It’s also where there had been a church and a meeting place for a gun club,” he said.

After the meeting, it was determined that property had been the Maple Grove School and was later a meeting place for the Hennessey Powder and String Club.

That property is located 3 1/2 miles west and one mile south of the State Highway 51 and U.S. Highway 81 intersection.

Blake’s options to the school included:

• Participating in drilling and completion costs on the Hooter 1907 #1-2;

• Or be paid $250 an acre with a 1/8 royalty “delivering to Blake an 87.5% net revenue interest, or $150 per acre with 3/16 royalty and 81.25% net revenue.”

“The first thing we need to know is how many acres the school owns,” said the board’s newest member, Lance Painter.

Matousek agreed, then said they need to hire an attorney familiar with dealing in those matters who could negotiate, and make recommendations to the board.

Painter also said a friend told him he was offered $1,250 per acre and a $2,500 royalty for a threeyear lease and typical rates are around $2,000 per acre.

The superintendent said he was concerned with the 20-day response requirement and said they’d need to have a special meeting to act on a contract.

“They’ll give us more time, if we need it,” said Luke Lough, board member.

New Cell Phone Law Will Have Exceptions

The new state law that goes into effect at schools in the fall will include exceptions such as, but not limited to, emergencies and health monitoring, said the superintendent.

Since there could still be changes, the Oklahoma State School Board Association is waiting until the legislative session is over before providing a sample policy for schools to adopt.

School-provided and school-approved devices for use in the classroom will not be prohibited.

Also, unless legislators change the law, in the 2026-27 school year, each local school board will have the opportunity to decide whether to modify its policy or leave the prohibition in place.

At the Meeting

All board members were present: Matousek, Vice President Dakota Semrad, Charmasson, Lough and Painter. Also at the board table were Sternberger, and Office Manager and Minutes Clerk Timberly Jech. The only staffer in the audience was Tarango.