Heather Monks

This document outlines the vision, mission, beliefs, and goals for the Ponca City Public Schools. The vision is to be a community of learners achieving excellence, with a mission to prepare students for success in a global society. Key goals include providing a rigorous, 21st-century curriculum, ensuring student retention, maintaining excellence in extracurricular programs, actively seeking parental involvement, retaining trained employees, utilizing effective teaching practices, sustaining a technology-enriched environment, and committing to ongoing capital improvement. The administrative goals focus on effective resource management, providing professional advice to the Board, and leadership in educational development and staff development.

The board meeting wrap-up discussed an upcoming February bond election involving $17.5 million for construction projects, including the replacement of portable classrooms and addressing handicap accessibility issues at older elementary schools. Other discussion topics included security improvements such as relocating school offices to building entrances, technology and textbook updates involving Promethean boards, laptops, and digital textbooks, and renovations at the football stadium. Additionally, the session touched upon the upcoming School Board election, emphasizing the commitment required for board service.

This plan outlines accommodations to ensure the safest possible rehearsal environment for the music programs during the 2020-2021 school year. Key measures include structured entry and exit procedures per site, implementation of sanitary stations, social distancing, and aerosol reduction accommodations tailored to specific instruments, and strict adherence to a no shared materials policy to prevent cross-contamination. Directors will wear face coverings for indoor rehearsals and disinfect shared equipment between classes.

The board discussed upcoming bond issues, focusing on facility upgrades and modernization across the district. Key topics included plans for improved security at school entrances, millwork updates for elementary schools, and renovations at the high school, including athletic facilities and potential additions like an indoor practice facility and a Performing Arts Center. The board also reviewed construction progress on the new administration building, school board election status, and a report on Native American programs and Impact Aid funding. Finally, the board recognized the accomplishments of the district's band and orchestra programs.

The board discussed the budget for the upcoming school year, noting a standstill in funding and challenges related to teacher recruitment and retention. Other topics included an update on the legislative session, specifically regarding third-grade retention laws and new teacher evaluation systems, as well as facility preparations and a future bond issue focused on co-curricular activities and athletic programs.