Hennessey’s Community State Bank’s bid of 3.3285% was the lowest and best bid on $1.58 million in taxable building bonds for the Hennessey Public Schools.

Interest costs are $105,180.60 with a $2,259.40 premium.

The local bank was joined by United Missouri Bank in Kansas City in its bid that was opened during a special school board meeting at noon on May 16.

Other bidders were Country Club Bank, Kansas City, 3.40%, and Exchange Bank, Skiatook, 3.8%. No premiums were offered by either bank.

CSB President Carl Storm and Manager Tim Riddle attended the meeting held in the conference room at The Dome.

“These are fantastic bids,” said Jordan Smith, a financial advisor with the Stephen L. Smith Corp. He said there is usually a 1/10% higher difference for taxable as opposed to non-taxable bonds.

“It’s always important to have local banks as part of the bidding process,” Smith said.

He also said the school is ahead of schedule and will have five more bond sales.

When asked, he said the school would be ready for a bond election in 2025, “or 2024 if there is growth.”

Board members present at the meeting were President Luke Lough, Clerk David Tillman, Patrick Griffin and Dr. James Matthew Matousek. Absent was Vice President Cristopher Choate.

Also present were Superintendent Jason Sternberger and Office Manager Timberly Jech.

Teacher hirings

Two teachers were hired for the fall year on temporary contracts:

Evelyn Rodriguez, Hennessey, and a 2016 HHS grad, will be a middle school remediation teacher. She received her associate’s degree from Northern Oklahoma College, 2018, and bachelor’s in elementary education from University of Central Oklahoma, 2020. She taught third grade at Britton Elementary this past year and completed her student teaching internship in the fall of 2020 at Cesar Chavez Elementary, Oklahoma City.

Paul J. Raupe of Enid will teach at the high school and be an assistant football and assistant boys and girls track coach. He graduated from Pioneer-Pleasant Vale in 2005 and received his bachelor’s in history at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He taught and coached at Waukomis High School, 2021-22; Enid High School, 2019-21; Pioneer-Pleasant Vale Schools, 2015-19, and Clinton Public School, 2014-15.

Resignations

The superintendent said he’d accepted resignations from Daniel Rios (aide in Early Childhood Center); Candi Snider (daycare), and Matthew Loch (hired in April as an algebra or computers teacher and assistant football coach).