Filing for a five-year term on the Hennessey Board of Education - and all Oklahoma schools - is Dec. 1-3.

Hennessey’s board got a jump on calling for its primary election during its regular October meeting on Monday night.

Filing is from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. at the Kingfisher County Courthouse.

Primary elections are scheduled Tues., Feb. 10, 2026, if three or more candidates file. A general election will be held Tuesday, April 2, if: only two candidates file for a position scheduled to be on the ballot, or for a position on the ballot for an unexpired term, or if no candidate in the primary election receives more than 50% of the votes cast.

Semrad Will Run

There was some confusion when some thought another board member’s term was up, but Vice President Dakota Semrad said it’s his seat that will be up.

He was appointed to the board in February 2024 after David Tillman’s resignation in January 2024.

Semrad is an Enid attorney and a 2011 Hennessey High School graduate.

Policy Updates Needed

When Phyllis Walta was the school’s attorney, she kept up with all of those policy updates, Superintendent Jason Sternberger told board members.

Then he suggested the board use the Oklahoma State School Board Association’s “policy services.”

“It’s a lengthy and timely process,” he said. “You can pick a level...It will cost $3,000 to $7,500, but it will also help protect future administrators and boards.

“This is the only school I’ve been in that doesn’t use it.”

Board members unanimously voted to use OSSBA.

Food Grant

Sternberger said the district received a Local Food for Schools Grant.

The school will get 2,700 pounds of fresh hamburger beef from Swisher Beef Co. of Kingfisher, he said.

Other Board Actions

Board members also approved board meeting dates for 2026 and two board policy changes for “Student Code of Conduct” and “Procedures Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.”

The board also approved seven consent agenda items including financial reports, fundraisers and a contract with Stacy Cline, LPC, for 2025-26 counseling services.

This month’s short agenda also accounted for the board’s 10 minute meeting.

At the Meeting

All board members were present for this month’s meeting: President Dr. James M. Matousek, Semrad, Clerk Amy Charmasson, Luke Lough and Lance Painter.

The only staff at this month’s meeting were Sternberger, and Office Manager Timberly Jech, who served as recording secretary.