The Board voted $6400 for improvement to the High School Baseball Field, dugouts, concession stand, sidewalks, and the backstop. The work will be done next summer.

School Board members declared 7 sections of athletic lockers as surplus and directed Superintendent Craig Cummins to dispose of them at a fair price.

The Board also voted $500 to support litigation to fight House Bill 1712 which allows tax exemptions for oil refineries that are de-sulpurizing their product. The State School Board Association feels the law is unconstitutional.

November 3, 2003
The Watonga School Board spent 11 minutes in Executive Session last night and named Holly Youngbear as the Native American Education Director.

The Board heard a 30-minute presentation on the audit last night. They will start out the next school year with a $785,000 carryover. Next year's budget estimate is $4.9 million.

Pioneer Telephone presented the Board with their quarterly donation of $605 paid by subscribers who wish to dedicate a portion of their long distance bill to a school of their choice.

The next school election will be February 24. The Board position held by Duane Williams will be up for election. The filling period will be December 1 - 3.

An early retirement incentive of $2,000 was approved for any teacher signing a "letter of intent" to retire at the end of this school year.

October 6, 2003
In a 17-minute meeting, Watonga School Board members heard the financial report which shows balances higher than last year at this time in every account except for child nutrition and the coop fund. Superintendent Craig Cummins also said a tax protest had recently been settled.

The Board approved agriculture education, technology education, and consumer science programs to continue as "vocational programs".

The Board approved grants from the Watonga academic excellence foundation totaling about $3600 from all 3 schools; about half the projects were approved.

September 23, 2003
The Watonga School Board finally settled on their choice for interim superintendent last night. They hired Dr. Craig Cummins, who has spent the past 4 years at Sapulpa and 3 years as assistant superintendent at Altus. However, before they announced the hiring, they held a 25-minute executive session. The Board said Cummins was chosen because of his qualifications, good references, financial background, and people skills. His interim appointment contract expires June 30th.

The 47-year-old Cummins, who was born in Hollis is married, with 2 children attending OU. He got his bachelors and masters degrees from Southwestern and his PHD from OU.

September 18, 2003
The Watonga School Board reportedly selected a new superintendent at their special meeting last night; but the person was not named. Interim Superintendent Jason Sternberger told MY93 News the Board wanted to call the individual to see if he or she was still interested and offer the job. They didn't want to announce the name until they were sure the person would take the job. The Board is scheduled to have a special meeting next Tuesday at 6 pm to announce the new superintendent.

September 16, 2003
The Watonga School Board met for over 3 1/2 hours last night interviewing 3 candidates for Superintendent. In the end, the Board decided to meet again Thursday night at 6 for further discussion; but no new candidates will be present. Thursday's meeting will likely be in executive session.

September 8, 2003
The Watonga School Board decided at their meeting last night, they should start reviewing applications for Superintendent since Jason Sternberger's interim appointment will only last for about 6 more weeks. The Board set a special meeting for September 16th.

The Board approved the estimate of needs for next year, just over $6 million this month, all fund balances were larger than last year.

The School Board hired Phyllis Hightower and LuAnn Threadgill as elementary para-professionals. Lee Ann Tindall was hired as middle school janitor and Pat Kelly will teach high school computer replacing Patricia Kubat who resigned.

Watonga Schools enrollment stayed about even from last year, a net gain of just 4 students.

The Board accepted the certified staff negotiated contract which calls for a one-time $400 stipend when funds are available.

Board members also approved purchase of a portable building for the softball teams from Freddie Lorenz of Okeene for $1600.

August 13, 2003
Watonga School Board members selected High School Principal Jason Sternberger to be interim superintendent at their meeting last night. The Board spent an hour and 45 minutes in Executive Session before making the choice. The Board also specified that the appointment will not exceed 45 days. Watonga's Superintendent Mike May died last Saturday at the age of 54.

August 4, 2003
At last night's meeting, the Watonga School Board was told that all 3 schools had passed their accreditation.

The Board hired the Watonga Firefighters Association for security parking at $150 per football game.

Superintendent Mike May said there would be no increase in lunch fees this year despite the state dropping their reimbursement for the 'reduced' lunch prices. The Federal reimbursement will continue.

The Board accepted the resignation of Yvonne Christiansen and agreed to her working part-time in essentially the same capacity. The Board also agreed to hire Colleen Hernandez as cook.

Board members approved a change in the dress code that would allow sleeveless shirts provided they matched the new guidelines.

GED Contracts were approved for 9 teachers in the 5 county area.

The new regulations allowing students with asthma to self-medicate themselves was approved.

A new contract for the support staff was approved allowing incentive leave for employees who use less than 3 sick days and a stipend of 10 cents per hour to be paid by Christmas. Total cost of the increase will be $12,000.

It is likely that the School Bond Election will be held in February and the Board asked the consultant to write the proposal so that there will be no increase in taxes estimated to be around $1 million.

New flooring for the field house was approved for $8700. The 'lock-pad' will be purchased from MF Athletic Company in Rhode Island.

May 14, 2003
The Watonga School Board decided at a special meeting Monday night to uphold the number of days a high school student had been suspended. They also upheld a decision not to allow the student to attend the prom; however, the Board decided to modify a decision and allow the student to attend graduation.

The High School Student, who, was only identified as a senior female, was suspended in April after issuing a verbal threat to a teacher. Superintendent Mike May said there had been no physical contact. May 6, 2003
The Watonga Hospital Board spent 90 minutes in Executive Session last night and said they would continue negotiations with the Schuster Group who is interested in a long-term lease leading to eventual purchase of the hospital.

In other business, the Board voted to transfer titles of 2 ambulances to the Board of Trustees. They had previously been listed as Watonga Hospital/City of Watonga on those titles.

The Board signed a resolution extending their note with First State Bank and agreeing to use accounts receivable, plus all inventory, furniture, fixtures, and those two ambulances as additional collateral.

The Watonga School Board approved 39 transfers at their meeting last night.

The School Board also approved a request for temporary appropriations from the Blaine County Excise Board. The resolution was needed because revenue collections are far below expenses this month.

They approved an oil and gas lease with J-Cole Ream Land Services of Enid for $75 per acre for a 3-year term; plus royalties. The land is located north of the football and baseball fields.

The Board employed Brandi Nyberg as High School and Middle School Girls Basketball Coach. The Board also hired Betty Smith as Family and Consumer Science Teacher. Summer School Teachers Mark Morris was hired for math and Dee Edmonson will teach English this summer.

School Board members approved an early retirement incentive of $2,000 with the option of teaching half-days included; however, the deadline is May 19th.

April 8, 2003
The Watonga School Board spent 15 minutes during their first executive session and decided to deny extra duty activities to Dale Ortega. He was the High School Girls Basketball Coach, Middle School Girls Softball Coach and Middle School Girls Track Coach.

The School Board spent another 52 minutes in Executive Session and denied extra activity days to a Middle School student who was not identified. Extra days can be earned when a student has a 3-point grade average, has a 90 per cent attendance rate, and has no major infractions and Superintendent Mike May said the student did not meet those requirements.

In other business, the Board voted to re-hire all the certified staff with the exception of Jeanean Perryman who resigned. The Board also hired Renee Ross as summer driver's education teacher.

The Board tabled bids on insurance.

School Board Members awarded a bid for the audit to Dr. Charles Page of Weatherford February 3, 2003
At their meeting last night, the Watonga School Board rehired principals Jason Sternberger, Kay Sage, and Monique Blagowski and Eagle Academy Director Yvonne Christiansen.

The Board approved an adult basic education contract with Janice Stinson. She will replace Rochelle Stebbins who resigned.

Board members approved a contract for financial services with ADPC.

The incentive package for employee birthdays was approved. The money will come from interest through accounts of the activity fund.

A change in the grading system for advanced placement classes was approved. Students in those classes will now have 4 percentage points added to their final grade, rather than a full point added to their grade point average since that 'weighted' method is not acceptable to college admissions boards.

Some changes in the course description guide were approved; also, the school will delete references to the 'construction trades' class since that is no longer offered by the Vo-Tech.

The Watonga Education Coalition has decided not to take part in the 'Save Our Schools' rally February 12; but they are encouraging community members to attend.

The School Board accepted the resignation of Quinton Roman Nose who will become the Education Director for the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. His last day will be February 28.

The Board accepted the contract for the support staff for this year which includes a 10 percent hour increase across the board.

January 7, 2003
At last night's Watonga School Board meeting, Pat Gonzalez was unavailable to take the oath of office so that item was tabled. The Board was reorganized with Dwayne Williams as president and Andrea Scoville as vice-president.

Along with the financial report, Superintendent Mike May told the Board that Watonga Schools received an initial payment of $44,000 from a special fund set up by the legislature in 1997 to allow schools who have tax protests to draw from and ease the burden somewhat. May says they are waiting on decision of tax protests from Corrections Corporation of America, Enogex Gas, and Trans-Ok Gas altogether totaling $165,000. May says tax revenue is still down by $600,000 from last year.

The Board approved the school calendar for next year; but the Superintendent also says that may change if the legislature adopts a policy where all schools will begin after Labor Day.

Watonga School will receive a $35,000 e-rate grant which pays for the schools internet connection. It comes from a surcharge on your phone bill. The school will also apply for a rural utilities service grant of $60,000 to upgrade their optic lab. The school must pay $9,000 matching funds.

The School Board approved adult basic education contracts with Jill Moery and Jack Moery. They will each be paid $1,900 for the work.

After 30 minutes in Executive Session, the Board voted to re-hire Mike May as superintendent for another year.