Pay increases for support staff and teaching staff were approved at Monday’s meeting of the Tonkawa Board of Education.Teaching staff wages were increased $3,000 to $6,000 up the scale to 30 years.Support staff wages increased as follows: Secretary, $1 hour; paraprofessional, $1.86 hour; special ed para, $1.86 hour plus 5%; custodian, $1 hour; maintenance, $1 hour; central office, $1 hour.Board members present included Brian Bowling, Çasey McAninch, Tyler Langston and Melanie Bellinghausen. Jerry Hook was absent.The board tabled action on the addition of girls’ soccer in spring 2024 at the school system.The board hired new teachers and accepted one resignation.Colton Anson and Grizelda Perez were hired as paraprofessionals for the new school year.Ashley Neal was hired to teach fourth grade. Robert Shoate was hired as new technology instructor The resignation of Tonya R. Jackson was accepted. Her letter follows: “Please accept this letter as my formal resignation as MH/ HS special education teacher effective the end of the 20222023 contract period. After much consideration, I have chosen to pursue another opportunity for growth in my career as an educator. I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to teach for such a wonderful school district for the last twelve of my twenty-five years of teaching. Tonkawa Public Schools will always hold a special place in my heart.”The board also read a resolution of appreciation and recognition of Distinguished Service for Nancy Appleman, who retired from the board after 15 years.In other action, board members: -- Approved expenditures totalling $634,942.47 with $78,820.73 from the general funds; $61.74 from child nutrition; and $556,050 from the sinking fund.-- Approved to develop a contract between Tonkawa Public schools and the City of Tonkawa for the purpose of employing a Security Resource Officer to be housed at the district.-- Tabled action on price of cafeteria meals.-- Took no action concerning the student transfer policy and updating quarterly student capacity.-- Tabled action on a contract for occupational therapy with Children’s Therapy Zone.-- Tabled action on hiring a special education teacher.Subscribe to The Tonkawa News... Call Janel at 628-2532 ...
