Tonkawa school board members Monday night voted unanimously to give Lori Simpson a 10th term at Tonkawa Public School Superintendent.In the motion to rehire Simpson, Board President Casey McAninch said: “The Tonkawa School Board of Education remains impressed with the continuous improvement and growth of Tonkawa Public Schools under the leadership of Mrs. Lori Simpson. Our top tier faculty and staff, our beautifully maintained campus and the ongoing improvements to the education and safety of our students all show that the Tonkawa Public School district is dedicated to providing our children with the best learning experience possible. For these reasons it is our honor to renew Mrs. Lori Simpson’s contract as superintendent.”Board members voting in favor included McAninch, Jerry Hook, Brian Bowling and Nancy Appleman. Tyler Langston was absent.The board met behind closed doors for over 1 1/2 hours discussing Simpson’s evaluation and renewal.In other action Monday night, board members: — Heard a presentation and discussion concerning the develop-ment of Tonkawa Public Schools strategic plan by Dr. Rebecca Eastham, director of Oklahoma University Spears School of Business. She was introduced by Brian Bowling.— Approved payment of outstanding warrants totalling $105,860.46 with $104,913.91 from the general fund, $4 from the building fund and $942.55 from the Child Nutrition Fund.— Approved a phase II bill from Renaissance Architecture for $17,185.80 to Bank First for payment using school cafeteria bond funds.— Approved the closure of several purchase orders that puts excess back in the general fund totalling $38,972.— Approved the employment of substitute teachers — Simeon Shepherd, Shelby Garrison, Emma Weidman-Norton, Abbie Lampe and Sarah Aldrich.— Approved the employment of a para-professional at the school — Abbianne Seaton.— Approved the hiring of a bus driver — Nicole Mines. — Approved a change in the 2022-2023 school calendars designating May 5 as a teacher work day instead of a snow day.
