A large chunk of the contingency fund for the new junior high building will be used to build a retaining wall on the building’s west side.

The wall will separate the school from the football stadium and will cost no more than $278,385 to construct.

It was approved Monday night by the Kingfisher Board of Education during its November regular meeting.

Board members have discussed multiple options with administrators at recent meetings, including a structure such as the wall or even grass on the sloped surface.

“If we go that route, then it becomes very tough to mow and it basically becomes a mud slide once the heavy rains come,” Superintendent Dr. Daniel Craig said.

“Plus you’ll have a hard time keeping kids away from that area.”

When the original bond issue was passed to build the new site for seventh and eighth graders, a contingency fund was included.

Five previous contingency change orders were approved as was an increase to the guaranteed maximum price to construct a new parking area east of the APB.

Those changes left $347,916 in the contingency fund. After Monday’s decision, about $69,000 will remain in the fund.

“I feel like if we don’t do this now, we’re going to end up having to do it later,” said board member Carly Franks before the unanimous vote.

The wall, which will stretch about the length of the football field, will be segmented block and will also included a painted “K” that will be visible from the west.

It will include steel rails, sidewalks and about 4,700 square feet of artificial turf to negate the need to mow several small patches of grass.

The vote came at the end of the two-and-a-half hour meeting.

An hour of that was spent in executive session, after which two resignations and four hires were approved.

Resignations came from Wendi Carter, a family and consumer sciences teacher at the high school, and Amanda Farris.

Farris’ position will be filled by Teresa Fletcher.

The three other hires approved were Andrea Gutierrez Orozco as a Gilmour custodian, Chloe Meacham as a Gilmour paraprofessional and Ariel Pitts as a secretary at the middle school.

High School Principal Jay Wood said Carter’s resignation is effective Nov. 19 and the district is actively seeking her replacement.

Members also approved a resolution calling for an election for seat #2 on the board, which will be a fiveyear term.

The seat is currently held by Dana Golbek, board president.

Filing for the election is Dec. 6-8 at the Kingfisher County Courthouse.

The primary election will be Feb. 8, 2022, if three or more candidates file, and then the general election on April 5, 2022.

If only two candidates file, the race will be decided at the general election.

A contract with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to provide a school-based social worker was approved.

DHS and the district split the salary and the benefits of the specialist.

Jennifer Marler has filled that role, but recently earned a promotion within DHS.

The position will now be filled by Bill Harris, said Craig.

The district is renewing its copier lease with R.K. Black, Inc., to provide updated copiers and service.

Gary Hackett, director of major accounts, and Clint Combs, strategic account manager, represented R.K. Black at the meeting. Combs is a KHS alumnus.

The new agreement will call for the company to provide 14 new copiers and three duplicators.

The new lease agreement is about $173 per month more than last year’s contract, but includes three additional copiers to be installed in the new junior high facility.

R.K. Black stepped in about three years ago when the district had a contract with another company that failed to follow through with the terms.

R.K. Black had also previously worked with the district and has maintained the contract since.

Board member Terry Payne, a former administrator at KPS, said his experience in working with Combs and R.K. Black was nothing but positive during his tenure.

In other action Monday, the board approved a contract with Clearwater Enterprises LLC to provide natural gas to the district and declared 112 pairs of outdated shoulder pads and 53 outdated football helmets as surplus.