The Norman Public Schools Board of Education heard updates on several 2023 bond projects, the 2023-24 audit report and proposed policy changes during its Monday meeting.
Norman North and Norman High athletics bid package updates
The news: The board heard updates on bids for the Norman North High School baseball locker room package and the Norman High School athletics package.
The Norman North High School baseball locker room package consists of remodeling the existing locker room, expanding the area and installing new flooring. Additionally, the project includes repainting and HVAC improvements.
The Norman High School athletics package would include demolition of the stadium’s existing concession stand, while constructing a new concession stand under the bleachers. The package would also update the exterior of the locker room and press box.
These projects are part of the 2023 bond issue, which is also being used to fund the Oklahoma Aviation Academy and the new Norman North football stadium.
What they’re saying: Justin Milner, NPS associate superintendent and chief operating officer, and Brent Collins, vice president of operations at Manhattan Construction, presented the board with information on the bids.
Collins said a large component of the Norman High athletics package is remodeled signage and graphics around the stadium.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the bids for both of the projects.
Elementary schools parking expansion bid update
The news: The board discussed bids for the parking expansion package at Jackson Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and Kennedy Elementary.
The Jackson Elementary project includes 27 new parking spots, sidewalk improvements and the addition of a concrete basketball court. The Lincoln Elementary project will also add a concrete basketball court. The Kennedy Elementary project includes a sealant coat and restriping the existing parking lot.
What they’re saying: Milner and Cory Miller, principal architect at MIDL Architects, presented the board with updates on the parking expansion project.
Milner said additional parking is intended to provide adequate space for school faculty to park. Regarding Lincoln Elementary, Milner said the parking expansion will not compromise historical markers near the construction.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the bid with Connelly Paving Co.
City of Norman recreational centers
The news: The board considered the acceptance of transfer and authorization to sign the deed for city recreational centers at Whittier Middle School and Irving Middle School.
The district will acquire the gym space alongside adjacent smaller rooms, with the potential for the space to be used for games and other activities.
What they’re saying: According to Milner, the process of acquiring the recreational centers has been a 15-year process.
Milner said the cost for the school district to acquire the recreational centers from the city was only $10.
“I just want to say thanks to the city of Norman for working with us. It has been a very long project, and they've been open minded,” Dirk O’Hara, NPS board vice president, said. “They wanted to work out a solution as well.”
The vote: The board unanimously approved the deed to acquire the recreational centers.
2023-24 audit report
The news: The board heard an update on the 2023-2024 audit report for the school district.
The audit was designed to obtain reasonable, but not absolute, reassurance about whether financial statements are free of material misstatement.
NPS received a “clean” audit opinion, meaning the auditors found the district fairly presented financial statements that comply with accounting principles.
What they’re saying: Tyler Jones, NPS chief financial officer, and Eide Bailly firm partner Vanessa Dutton presented the audit report to the board.
Auditors performed tests on three major compliance programs: Improving Basic Programs, Child Nutrition Cluster and the Special Education Cluster. Following the audit, Dutton said the programs resulted in a clean opinion.
The audit found two areas of improvement within the financial statements sector: material adjustments and student activity funds.
“It seems to never go away, this finding,” Dutton said in reference to student activity funds.
Dutton said the audit found duplicate adjustments of $925,820 for the casualty and flood fund. Receivables in the child nutrition fund were not collected within 60 days, warranting an adjustment from auditors.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the audit report performed by Eide Bailly.
Board of Education policy
The news: The board heard about a proposed Board of Education policy, which would require at least two board members to make a written request to add an item on the following meeting’s agenda.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the proposed policy.
NPS childcare services
The news: The board heard information about the school district’s child care plan, specifically staff childcare and early learning services at the Center of Arts and Learning.
The Center for Arts and Learning contains a 1,500-seat auditorium, classrooms and office spaces. NPS purchased the space as part of the 2023 school bond package.
According to a timeline presented during the meeting, the plan outlines a transition and expansion of existing district child care services to the Center of Arts and Learning. Beginning in January, the district started staffing child care administrative positions, began licensing processes and opened enrollment for pre-K at the facility.
The district will finalize child care enrollment, staff classrooms for child care and complete pre-K enrollment later this spring. The district expects the child care center to open in the fall.
What they’re saying: Ann Rosales, NPS director of elementary teaching and learning, presented the board with information regarding the district’s child care.
Rosales said the center will renew services with Norman Parents as Teachers, a home visitation program. Specific services renewed include weekly stay and play, school support and early childhood screenings.
The center has capacity for three pre-K classes totaling 60 students, according to the presentation. It will also have an emphasis on existing fine arts partnerships within the community. The center will also offer student internships and partnerships to build a professional pipeline.
According to Rosales, the intent to enroll form will be released Tuesday and is due by March 26. NPS employees will be notified by April 1 of their enrollment status.
Child care offered at the center will total $600 a month per child and will act as a 12-month payroll deduction. According to Rosales, the center will be more affordable than other daycares in Norman.
“Even at other centers with reduced rates, we're still coming in a little bit lower,” Rosales said. “For infants, most places are $1,000 or higher. When we look at our three to four year olds, it really varies … but a lot of that is anywhere from $700 and above.”
Rosales said NPS will not offer discounts for multiple children. The district will also maintain existing child care services at all elementary schools.
Summer programs overview
The news: The board heard updates on this year’s summer programs.
Summer academic programs for this year include pre-K through high school, special education, elementary summer school, eighth through 12th grade expanded credit advancement and high school credit recovery.
What they’re saying: Holly McKinney, NPS executive director of teaching and learning, said the district expanded AlphaBEST, a before and after school program, alongside middle school STEAM camps last year.
Over the summer, McKinney said the district sees a high student turnout and participation from elementary students. If students fail classes like Algebra I, McKinney said the district will offer a STEAM camp.
The camp will be a full day program for two weeks from June 2-13. Similarly, the district will hold Camp Invention, an all-day STEM camp for four days beginning June 30.
McKinney said a new addition to the high school credit recovery program is a four-week intensive algebra I course, where students are expected to gather six hours a day from Monday through Thursday during June.
“What we hope to accomplish is that we set these kids up for success so they do not fail geometry and they do not fail algebra II, so really getting tight on these essential algebra I skills that they missed when they failed the first time,” McKinney said.
Reemployment of NPS administrators
The news: The board discussed the reemployment of several NPS administrators during its executive session.
Milner, McKinney, Long and Jones sought reemployment. Other administrators on the list include Holly Nevels, associate superintendent, chief human resources officer and Title IX coordinator; Stephanie Williams, executive director of student services and deputy Title IX coordinator; Gayla Mears, executive director of support services; and Courtney Scott, chief communications officer.
The vote: The board approved the administrators reemployment.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza.
