Cordell Ehrich

The 2025 Annual Report for Deer Creek Schools highlights the district's accomplishments and progress throughout the 2025 school year. It details academic excellence, achievements in athletics and fine arts, and initiatives aimed at strengthening school safety, expanding student services, and enhancing operational efficiency. The report emphasizes the district's commitment to learning and personal growth for every student within a collaborative environment, guided by principles of a professional learning community focused on culture, curriculum, standards, teaching, and supports.

The board meeting agenda included the discussion and approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 audit prepared by SBA and Associates, which resulted in an unmodified opinion. Key financial highlights reviewed included fund balances for the general, building, child nutrition, bond, sinking, and insurance funds as of June 30. The board also approved the addition of a new Sports Science class to the high school course catalog. Policy updates included approving changes to Policy F-12 regarding tobacco/vape-free campus policy to ensure compliance with TET language, and amending Policy E-10 concerning general district transportation and campus parking expectations, including provisions for towing non-compliant vehicles. Finally, redundant policies, specifically JHFD (operating and parking vehicles on school campus) and JFCC-EAB (student conduct on school buses), were approved for removal as their content was consolidated into the amended E-10 policy. Other topics included recognizing student athletes signing letters of intent, the Deer Creek Advisory Council's panel discussion with local legislators, the naming of 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year, the success of the Deer Creek School Foundation's Blue Tie Night fundraiser, and updates on the Comfort Closet initiative receiving donations and increasing operational hours. Approval was also granted for quotes to purchase three new buses and one special education lift bus, and for the replacement of a broken skillet/raising pan at Spring Creek, as well as the furniture purchase for the new Central Middle School.

This presentation outlines Deer Creek Schools' bond proposal to strategically address rapid student enrollment growth and facilities needs over the next decade and beyond. Key initiatives include a multi-phase master plan for Deer Creek High School, focusing on expanding classroom capacity, modernizing cafeteria and arts facilities, and improving indoor practice spaces. Additionally, the proposal includes district-wide investments in playground enhancements, a new storage warehouse, technology, textbooks, performing arts, athletic equipment, and general maintenance, all aimed at supporting student success, improving safety, and maintaining educational standards without increasing taxes.

The board welcomed back teachers for the 2025-26 school year and provided updates on completed cafeterias, the orchestra room, and Deer Creek Academy. The board approved the hiring of personnel listed on the Personnel Schedule, the ratified Negotiated Agreement between Deer Creek Public Schools and the Deer Creek Association of Classroom Teachers, and the 2025-2026 Salary Schedules. Additionally, the board approved the increased new rate for Guest Teachers, an agreement with LGC Associates for event staffing, an agreement with IXL Learning Inc. for a study on math assessment performance, and combined quotes from DIGI Security Systems for control access cabling and labor at Central Creek Middle School.

The board recognized the newly updated Tyler Tidwell Stadium and received updates on current enrollment numbers and the Deer Creek 2026 goal for a 96% attendance rate. The Estimate of Needs for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and the Financial Statement of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 were approved. A quote for Pirouette Tables for the Admin Chamber and a quote for basketball shot clocks were approved. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Deer Creek Board of Education and the Deer Creek Association of Classroom Teachers was approved, along with updates to multiple board policies.