The Norman Public Schools Board of Education approved the purchase of land for a new farm, heard proposed changes to a board documents release policy and rehired support staff at its Monday evening meeting.
Board reorganization reform policy
Following last month’s meeting, where Annette Price, office 3 board member, walked out over elections, Price said in her board report that she and Alex Ruggiers, office 2 board member, will create a “board reorganization reform policy.” She said the policy would create a codified process for board offices.
“(That way) it’s not procedure where whoever makes the motion first changes how it’s going to end up,” Price said.
Bond project property purchase
Justin Milner, associate superintendent and chief operating officer, presented an update on projects approved in a 2023 bond. The bond includes renovations to 17 elementary schools, four middle schools, both high schools and district sites, including a performance venue and a new Oklahoma Aviation Academy facility at Max Westheimer Airport.
Milner said the board will consider purchasing a 34-acre property in north Norman, located on Flood Avenue and Rock Creek Road, to build an animal barn for the district’s vocational agriculture program. He said the property has a 36,000-foot warehouse which can be renovated, allowing the district to save time and money on demolition.
Milner said students currently use a farm on a 10-acre plot in Goldsby, which is about 20 minutes from Norman, so Milner said the new location would aid in commute times and ease.
“I think (it) will help our (agriculture) program recruit future students,” Milner said.
Milner said the new barn would consolidate all programs under one roof and be in better condition than the Goldsby location. He also said the Goldsby location doesn’t have adequate parking or the same level of security protections as district facilities in Norman, and the commute can be challenging for families.
What they’re saying: Price asked about the value of the property.
Milner said it was appraised at about $14 million, but the sale price is still being negotiated.
Price asked what will be done not to “neglect” east Norman, which is part of the area she represents, with multiple developments being in north Norman.
“The appearance of inequity is there when we keep building in one part of town,” Price said.
Milner said this land is centrally located for bus services and this property makes the most sense with proximity to the two high schools. He said the district always considers what location is most equitable.
The board entered executive session with David Floyd, acting as an attorney of record, to consider the purchase.
The vote: The board approved the plan to purchase in a 3-1 vote. Price voted against it, and Dirk O’Hara, office 1 board member and board vice president, was absent.
According to a press release sent after the meeting, renovation plans have not been finalized.
Rehiring support staff
Holly Nevels, associate superintendent and chief human resource officer, presented a resolution to rehire all district support staff who are currently not recommended for nonrenewal or dismissal. Support staff includes teachers assistants, bus drivers and secretaries.
What they’re saying: Price asked about the state of employee retention.
Nevels said the district has “a lot” of voluntary resignations, but no staff have been eliminated. She said there are many unfilled positions, namely paraprofessionals, which she said is the district’s biggest challenge.
“It’s just a matter of having the employees who wish to do those roles,” Nevels said.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the resolution.
Instructional calendar
Nevels also presented the proposed 2027-28 instructional calendar.
House Bill 3151, which was signed into law last week, mandates 173 instructional days per year. Nevels said NPS’ current calendar has 172 instructional days.
Nevels said the calendar committee conducted a survey about where to add an extra day and utilizing their results, the district proposed that required day at the beginning in August.
“We were able to add that one additional instructional day and still keep all of the other things that we love, that are kind of sacred, about the Norman Public Schools calendar,” Nevels said.
What they’re saying: Ruggiers said an attendee at Saturday’s town hall meeting asked him why the district cancels school for OU football or basketball games.
Nevels said there are multiple schools very close to campus and road closures, traffic and security concerns from games complicate the school day.
“It just became something that we did not feel like would be in the best interest and be the safest for our students or staff,” Nevels said.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the calendar.
Board documents policy
Haley Drusen, the district’s general counsel, presented proposed revisions to board policy 1011 which would mandate that documents, policy proposals and other materials for board meetings be made available online when the meeting’s agenda is posted.
This is an information item, so the board will not vote on it at this meeting. It was also seen as an information item last month.
What they’re saying: Drusen said Price requested the policy and asked Price to explain it.
Price said her constituents haven’t been aware of the details of policies prior to board meetings because the documents aren’t available online. She said those constituents have missed meetings and regret that they weren’t able to voice their concerns. Price called those instances “red flags” and said they motivated her to request the policy change.
Price said this policy will utilize online resources and better follow Oklahoma’s Open Records Act without people having to submit open records requests. Price said teachers may also fear retaliation for submitting an open records request.
“We need more accountability here,” Price said. “That's what this policy does. It's a baby step in increasing transparency and accountability.”
Price said she requested this policy in April 2025.
“I am proud that our staff has already started doing this and putting more documents up with the agenda,” Price said. “This would codify that.”
Dawn Brockman, office 4 board member and board president, asked a question sent to her by O’Hara who was not able to attend the meeting. Brockman asked if the documents this policy mandates posting are already publicly available.
Drusen said documents are available through an open records request.
Ruggiers asked how long requests take to fill.
Drusen said it varies depending on the depth of the request.
Ruggiers asked if there are staff members who work on requests over the weekend.
Drusen said there aren’t any that she is aware of because the district hasn't had a need for them.
Ruggiers said because meeting agendas are typically posted around 5 p.m. the Friday before the meeting and open records requests won’t be seen by staff until Monday, a request likely would not be filled before the meeting.
Drusen said they have not had that happen, but state law requires requests to be filled in a reasonable amount of time. She said it would be relatively easy to get documents to people quickly if they requested them.
Ruggiers said a request not being filled until the day of the meeting is “unacceptable,” and he supports the policy change.
“I really don't see the problem with codifying it and reassuring the public that yes, you are going to have access to these things, it's not going to be an onerous process of spending an open records request,” Ruggiers said.
Drusen also said the policy would not include posting contracts.
Revised fiscal policy
Tyler Jones, chief financial officer, presented changes to board policy 2006, which would increase the minimum for when a purchase requires multiple vendor quotations from $3,000 to $10,000.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the policy.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour.
