This year’s budget for Hennessey Public Schools is $14,552,768, and compares with $12,797,387 from last year.

The $2 million jump is due to increased gross production taxes that had dropped over the past few years, said Superintendent Jason Sternberger.

Federal school emergency relief funds under the ESSER III program also contributed to the increase, he said.

Hennessey’s school board members made quick work of approving the new budget under its consent agenda at their Monday night meeting.

That document was prepared by the district’s auditors, Angel, Johnston & Blasingham P.C. of Chickasha, and also will be published in the Times & Free Press.

As the senior member of the board, Patrick Griffin presided over the meeting in the absence of President Luke Lough and Vice President Cristopher Choate.

The other two board members, Clerk David Tillman and past president Dr. James Matthew Matousek, were present to make up the needed quorum for the 30-minute meeting.

Alternative Ed Program

Members voted to make an application to the state about the school’s alternative education program, and the lack of state funding. Slots for Hennessey students are no longer available at other neighboring schools, which has put a strain on the existing teaching staff. A statewide shortage of teachers also adds to that problem.

Resignations

Sternberger said he’d received resignations from Matt Means, longtime middle school counselor and federal program director; and these new-hire teachers: Carrie Schwarz, high school English, and Matthew Thomas, high school math.

English Teacher Hired

High School Principal Josh Faulkner was invited into the board’s executive session, and after 19 minutes in closed session they unanimously voted to hire Jane Deluzio of Enid to teach high school English.

Extra Duty Assignments

The board also approved Sternberger’s extra duty recommendations: Reduce the following pay: Paul Hix, athletic director by $3,000, and Courtney Markes, 5/6th basketball, $750. Add the following pay: Alejendra Calderon, translating, $9/hour; Stephanie Dominguez, assistant volleyball, $1,000; Riley Faulkner, senior class sponsor, $100; Raeanna Fuksa, concession stand coordinator, $3,000; Todd Cameron, high school head volleyball, $2,000 and junior high head volleyball, $1,000; Shelley Muzny, nursing services after hours, $25/hour; David Redus, summer weightlifting, $1,500; Evan Sprayberry, boys and girls golf, $2,500; Frances Streck, junior high head girls basketball, $1,500 and junior high assistant volleyball, $500, and 5/6th grades girls basketball, $750, and Ricardo Tarango, middle school student council, $500.

Superintendent’s Report

The superintendent said generators are needed in the Dome (server room and other areas) and in the high school basement and the high school cafeteria for the freezer. Costs for diesel generators will be about $91,000 He also reported that:

• He should know the next day when the chainlink fence around the elementary school will be installed.

• Shade structures are needed in the elementary playground and the principal is checking with Taggart’s.

• Bleachers are to go up Thursday or Friday.

• He is still waiting on quotes for LED conversion, drainage ditch work, and roof replacements at the FFA building and storage room east of the auditorium.

Other routine items approved: • Financial reports for August;

• Activity fund summaries, purchase and change orders and warrants;

• A contract with Stacy Cline to provide counseling services;

• 2.5 percent grant writing stipends to Jill Moery and Matt Means, counselor corps grants for the high and middle schools (each grant $16,429.30, and each stipend $410.73).

• Fundraisers: Girls basketball, pancake breakfast, November, and shirt sales, October; Baseball, ham sales, December, and golf tournament, October, and FCCLA, cookie sales, September.

At the Meeting

In addition to the three board members and the superintendent, also at the board table was Timberly Jech, office manager, who also served as recording clerk.

Staff in the audience in addition to the high school principal were the other three principals: Ricardo Tarango (middle), Barry Crosswhite (elementary), and Stacy Mack (early childhood).

Other staff there were Todd Cameron, technology director; Rae Fuksa, middle school teacher, and Allison Hurst, middle school special education teacher.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, October 10 in the seminar room at the school