Ponca City Board of Education meeting highlights

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Ponca City Board of Education meeting highlights

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 13:56
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calley@poncacitynews.com The Ponca City Board of Education held its regular meeting on Monday Jan. 11.

During the meeting a special presentation made by the students of Trout Elementary was shown to the board members in appreciation of their years of service.

The Board also took a moment to remember Dr. David Kincaid. Kincaid passed away on Dec. 30 and was a long time board member, having been a board member since 2006 and serving as Board President twice.

January Employee of the Month and Friend of Education Awards were presented at the meeting. Certified Employee of the Month was Barbara Cusick, Executive Director of Curriculum. Support Employee of the Month was presented to Heather Golay, Teacher Assistant at Washington Pre-K Center. The Friend of Education was Free Will Baptist Church, a supporter of Washington Pre-K Center. Superintendent Shelley

Arrott provided her COVID-19 report. During the first week of the 2nd semester from Jan. 4 to Jan. 8, there were 24 positive cases with 259 close contacts. On Jan. 11, there were 12 cases with 218 close contacts.

A vaccine Point of Dispensing (POD), the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) will come to the district to vaccinate PCPS Employees that want the vaccine. A survey of 546 participants showed 38.46% saying yes to receiving the vaccine. 24.54% said no, and 37% were undecided. Timeframe for employees that want the vaccine is likely to be February. Employees are encouraged to register via the OSDH vaccine portal.

Arrott also outlined procedures to fill Dr. David Kincaid’s seat in Ward #4. The Board has 60 days from the date of the vacancy to either appoint an individual or call a special election to fill the seat. The district will issue a press release seeking applicants, and the candidate must have lived in Ward #4 for at least six months.

PCPS employees

The Board Clerk will verify applicants reside in the Ward, meet the qualifications and will send a questionnaire to all verified applicants with a corresponding due date. Based on the responses, it will be determined if the applicant meets the qualifications to serve and a special Board of Education meeting will be scheduled to interview applicants and vote to appoint or to call a special election to fill the seat.

Qualifications for applicants include the following:

Must live within the boundaries of the ward seat, Ward #4

Must have resided and registered to vote within the boundaries of PCPS for a minimum of six months prior.

Must have been a registered voter at the address provided for a minimum of six months prior.

Must not have a felony charge or an embezzlement charge on their record.

Must have a high school diploma or equivalency.

Must not be related to a PCPS current employee within the second degree by blood or marriage. First degree defined as a close relative including parents, full siblings, or children. Second degree includes the individual’s grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, or half-siblings.