Board accepts resignations and re-assignments in regular meeting

Snyder Board of Education accepted the resignations of five employees, heard program updates and reports and dealt with routine business at Monday night's regular meeting.

Following discussion in executive session the board accepted resignations for school year 2011 from certified personnel Dianne Atchley and Gloria Mosley and support personnel Shirley Holder, Kathy Osborn and Rena Gibbons. All five ladies accepted the retirement incentive offered in February.

Mrs. Atchley stated in her letter that she will be available to teach at a reduced salary if she begins to receive her teacher retirement and the incentive offered by Snyder School Board. She went on to say that she would like to continue to teach for a few more years. Mrs. Atchley is the high school science teacher.

"There aren't enough accolades to describe all the great students, faculty, administrators, and Board of Education members I've encountered in my forty years as a teacher for Snyder Public Schools," she wrote. "I have been so very fortunate to have an occupation that I love. Teaching and kids have been my life."

In Mrs. Mosley's letter she stated her intention to accept the retirement incentive, retiring from her full-time position as high school and elementary library media specialist. She would like to return for half-time employment as high school and elementary library media specialist in August.

Mrs. Mosley wrote, "It is with mixed emotions that I take this step into retirement/part-time employment. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 33 years of teaching and serving as librarian. I appreciate the support of the past and present Board of Education, Administration and entire staff.

"Thank you for allowing me to have the wonderful opportunity and experience of working with Snyder youth these many years. They have given me a lifetime of precious memories."

Mrs. Holder is resigning her position as superintendent's secretary and taking advantage of the incentive offered. She stated she is willing to continue to work part-time at one half of her salary.

Mrs. Osborn accepted the incentive agreement and thanked the board for the opportunities she has had the past 20 years working for the school. She offered her assistance in filling her positions.

Mrs. Gibbons is taking the incentive offer for retirement from her position as Food Service Director. She said she has enjoyed her 15 years in that position.

Judy Adler's request for re-assignment to Food Services Director and Year Book Adviser and an extra-duty contract for Mrs. Mosley on Summer Library Duty were approved.

Reports were given on Professional Development by Sharon McKee, an update on the Special Education program by Terri Woodward, and a Federal Programs update by Tamra Phelan.

Mrs. McKee reported the professional day scheduled for this Friday is not necessary due to teachers reporting to school to ready their rooms the day before students returned following the ice storm. She reviewed staff development so far this year, and said the fourth session will include review of CRT results and the WinGage grade book. Possible staff development opportunities during the summer were also mentioned.

Mrs. Woodward presented an update on the Special Education program. She said Snyder Schools currently have 100 students on ICP (Individual Education Plan). Of that number, 37 are in the program for speech and language only.

Six are non-graded early childhood students. These are younger than pre-kindergarten children who have been referred from notices placed around town, in daycare centers and published in the newspaper. They are seen twice a week for speech and/or occupational therapy. Thirty-seven are learning disabled, 13 are health impaired and five are intellectually deficient.

The special education staff includes Rhonda Hicks at the primary building, Teresa Usher - elementary, and Pari Breeze - high school. Staci West is the primary teacher's aide. Speech and occupational therapy are contracted with JCMH hospital at Altus. Superintendent Robert Trammell said Snyder Schools have an outstanding special ed department.

Snyder Public Schools has received a total of $832,876.55 in funds and opportunities for staff, parents and students for FY 2009-10. Mrs. Phelan presented a breakdown of how the money was spent, with $365,510 for students, $18,900 for parents, and $448,466.55 for the school.

$251,850 was received by students in the form of scholarships and grants; $86,500 for five Cameron PLUS Scholars; 80 ACT fee waivers; and $15,600 for 20 UpWard Bound students. Parents received the equivalent of $18,900 in free lunches for students via the Migrant program. Snyder Public Schools received $25,500 from the 2009-10 Gear Up Grant; $20,500 from the 2010-11 Gear Up Grant; $102,000 for 35 Migrant students; $89,381 Title I ARRA; $161,227 Title I Part A; $2,740 Title IV (Safe & Drug Free Schools); $41,885.55 State REAP FLEX used to fund technology related items; and $5,733 ACE Remediation for tutoring.

Some of the items purchased with federal money were: six Smart Boards, four all-in-one printers, seven desktop computers, one Smart Board screen, one Smart Table, one printer, Buckle Down test preparation for grades 4-8 in reading and math, library materials for John D. Moeller Primary, $100 per teacher for school supplies, Leap Pad material for PK, Tumble Book for PK, Education Software for grades 4-8, Leap Pads for Elementary and Calculators for grade 7-8 math.

Federal money was also used to fund: four staff members to attend Encyclo-Media, six staff members - nine days of LOGIC training at Cameron University, four staff members - two days of LOGIC Counselor's training, two staff members to attend Gear Up State Conference, magnetic school calendars for all students and staff, 62 high school students attended Chad Cargill's ACT Prep Workshop. It fully funded two full-time PK teachers, three full-time teacher's assistants, two full-time computer assistants, four teachers for Before and After School Tutoring Program, salary and transportation for driver to transport students to GPTC in Frederick. Partially funded: high school counselor's salary and transportation costs, two kindergarten teachers, two teacher's assistants, two health teachers, and one reading specialist.

The board approved the addition of LaDeen Sharver to the substitute teacher list; application for Secondary Career Tech programs for school year 2010-11; and fund-raising activities for the sophomore and junior classes.

The sophomore class will sell homemade ice cream at one home baseball game and one home softball game and they received permission to sell Snyder Cyclone blankets (throws) in the spring. The junior class will sponsor Spring Lifetouch Pictures.

Mr. Trammell presented a certificate from the Oklahoma State Department of Health for adopting and enforcing a 24/7 Tobacco-Free School Policy in his superintendent's report. He said the school is in full compliance for the Breathe Easy program and will receive a banner.

He reported the FFA spring schedule with good participation in the local and county livestock shows; the band receiving superior ratings at District Contest, qualifying them to compete at state contest in Stillwater on April 20; and the girls' basketball team going to state tournament. The Lady Cyclones will play at 7 p.m. Thursday at the state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

In a compliance check by the Regional Accreditation Officer, Mr. Trammell said the district can keep to this year's calendar with May 20 being the last day of school for the students and May 21 the final professional day for the teachers. No days will need to be added due to time missed during the ice storm and power outage.

In other routine business the Feb. 8 minutes, encumbrances and change orders, treasurer's report and monthly activity custodian report were approved.

The treasurer's report revealed $729,774.56 in the General Fund, $9,143.21 in the Co-op Fund, $57,076 in the Building Fund and $29,858.47 in Child Nutrition for a total of $825,852.24. Mr. Trammell said that figure is just a little under what it was this time last year. February interest earned from Bank of the Wichitas was $1,110.17 with earned interest to date, $6,372.84.

Board members attending include: Mike Roberts, Buster Spurlin, Jana Moeller, Jerry Geiger, Perch Flinn, and James Schneider. Brian Wilhite was absent.

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Snyder representatives attend Rural Water District meeting

Snyder Vice Mayor Teresa Mills, Water Superintendent Mark Shelton, and Water Plant Advisory Board members Randy Archer and Todd Huckabay attended a Comanche County Rural Water District No. 4 meeting Tuesday night to discuss the future of the association between the two entities.


The city currently sells more than 177 million gallons of water to the rural water district, generating more than $300,000 in revenue for 2009. Snyder will need to renegotiate a long-term contract with the rural water district before proceeding with plans for a new water plant.


Mills was told that the water district had made numerous attempts to contact the city in regards to negotiations with no response. Snyder mayor, Gary Anderson, and the city's engineer, Steve Cesar, were invited to the meeting, but did not attend.


Snyder is definitely interested in a long-term contract and working together on securing financing, grants and other sources of funding for the new plant, Mills told the water district.


Archer said project plans for a reverse osmosis plant have been passed along to USDA Rural Development and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for review.