The Roland Board of Education met in regular session on August 11, where members approved a wide range of contracts, staffing measures and financial matters as the district prepared for the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Board president Kevin Flurry called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. with all members present, along with Superintendent Lori Wiggins, Assistant Superintendent Angela Goode and school principals.
Among the items approved was a contract with the Boys & Girls Club of Sequoyah County for the new year, as well as an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education to continue secondary career and technology programs. The board also renewed the federal program assurances and Local Education Agency (LEA) agreement, which are required annually, along with the Mentor Teacher Committee and Biz Town/Junior Achievement of Oklahoma Inc.
However, the board members voted to table the approval of the Co-op and Alternative Ed Program with Moffett for the 2025-26 school year until September 8.
The board approved a new School Resource Officer contract with the town of Roland, naming Officer Isaias Ramirez to serve the district during the upcoming school year.
In another key action, members granted Superintendent Wiggins authority to adjust the district calendar, set school hours, and make assignments when needed to ensure student and staff safety.
Handbook changes for all four schools—high school, middle school, upper elementary, and lower elementary— were also approved.
The board accepted the resignation of staff member Kendra Armer and updated authorized signatures on several school accounts, adding Heather Moore, Suzetta Wise and Tiffany Peters.
A request to use the Roland High School Commons for a class reunion on August 23 was approved.
In personnel matters, the board moved into executive session before approving several hires. Tiffany Peters was named librarian, Shannon Bair was hired as a middle school science teacher, and Jeffery Cheek as a maintenance worker. New cafeteria staff included Shanna Sarles (elementary), Maria Esmeranda Green (middle school) and Destinee Thompson (middle school).
The board tabled the hiring of a custodian until its next meeting. Rachel Good was also approved for the business office.
On the financial side, members approved general fund and payroll encumbrances totaling nearly $1.26 million, including bond, co-op, sinking fund, and building fund allocations. A $10,875 deposit was approved for Titan Armored for new mobile security boards.
During administrative reports, Superintendent Wiggins noted that repairs to the middle school gym are progressing well and that Roland High School students are enrolled in 213 college credit hours to start the new year.
She also reported the district began with a full staff and highlighted an upcoming joint professional development event with Muldrow Public Schools, with the meeting adjourning at 8:18 p.m.
This news story is based on the unofficial minutes from the board meeting and could be in error if the minutes are changed prior to adoption.
