The Thomas Tribune
Sep
Bond details continue to be top item
03
2020
at August School Board Meeting
By Austin Smith
Page
0001
With August wrapping up,
the Thomas School Board had
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resized their monthly meeting with
58% updates on the progress of the
various renovations involved
in the recent bond. Like any
bond, it’s a step-by-step pro-
cess that sees new decisions
popping up from time to time
that need to be addressed by
the administration and board.
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the football stands and press
box are nearing completion as
the season rapidly approaches.
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uled to be this Friday, but
there are still hurdles to clear,
including getting the thumbs
up from the Fire Marshall
before a game can be played
there.
With that being the case,
talks are in place to possibly
move the game to Alva and a
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made by the middle of this
week. In other news regard-
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the gym, new weight room,
and carpet for the new locker
room has been picked out.
Flooring and carpeting for
the elementary building have
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carpet for the auditorium and
upholstery for the auditorium
chairs. Fortunately, none of
Property of OPS News Tracker and members of the Oklahoma Press Association.
that has been installed in the
auditorium yet as Thomas
had a bit of a situation on
their hands recently with the
auditorium.
During the renovations,
a sprinkler line was hit and
flooded the auditorium,
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crew was able to not only get
the emergency valve off but
also get the cabinetry out to
avoid any water damage in
that regard.
Another topic on the bond
that was heavily discussed
was the new concession stand
layout. A blueprint and price
have been submitted but came
in a bit higher than the board
and administration were com-
fortable with. Ideas were
thrown out to possibly cut
costs, and Superintendent
Rob Friesen is expected to
relay the boards wishes to the
contractor with adjustments
to be made and resubmitted.
In other news, the elemen-
tary has had a few kids move
to home school, while the
number that have left for Epic
Charter Schools now stands at
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still look as expected, nearly
20 kids up from last year’s
totals.
The board was also in-
formed that the school is in
the talks of purchasing a new
Gator four-wheeler for the
football team. Jane Lorenz has
donated a portion of the costs
for the four-wheeler in honor
of her late-husband, Jim, who
passed away in January.
Lorenz not only was an avid
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the football games for many
years. The four-wheeler is
expected to memorialize him
with an inscription thanks to
his dedication to the Thomas
football program.
The board also discussed
the state-allocated aid which
will be far less than what the
district has become accus-
tomed to. After coming in at
$816K a year ago, Thomas
is being allocated less than
$587K this year.
They also approved the
ACT as the test of choice for
assessment this upcoming
school year. However, the
SAT will still be offered. They
also approved the action of
adding another fundraiser, in
the form of a golf tournament
this upcoming year.
With concerns over raising
the proper amount of funds
to have a prom this coming
spring, the school thought it
best to add another fundraiser
and the board agreed.