Kingfisher Public Schools has added two new certified staff members for the second semester.

The board of education on Monday night approved the hiring of Ausha Baker as a special education teacher and Emma Wood as a reading/English language arts teacher.

Both will serve at Kingfi sher Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6) beginning at the start of the second semester.

“We’re lucky to get two quality certified staff, especially in the middle of the year,” said Superintendent David Glover after the board’s regular December meeting.

( Note: More on the hires will be included in the weekend edition.)

The move was approved unanimously by board members Jim Perdue, Charles Walker, Carly Franks and Dana Golbek.

Terry Payne was absent from the meeting. His church, Lifeway of Kingfi sher, was hosting a KPS vocal concert that evening.

The hires were approved after an executive session that lasted just under 30 minutes.

The board also accepted the resignation of Angie Kennedy, who began this year as a library aide at Gilmour Elementary. Kennedy has accepted a branch office administration position with Edward Jones.

In another move, the board directed Glover to solicit bids for one - or possibly two - pickup-trucks for use by the vocational agriculture department.

Also during the 81-minute meeting, the board agreed to renew the district’s membership in the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce.