Through the Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Act (OTEP) Purcell’s school district has $85,000 for teacher stipends.

During its monthly board meeting Monday at the School Administration Building board members heard four teachers will receive $10,000, while some teachers will get $5,000 and some $3,000 depending on what level the instructor applied for, superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo said.

Dr. McAdoo said steel will soon be going up at the FEMA safe room and new gymnasium at the junior high.

“We will have to modify our drop off and pick up,” Dr. McAdoo confirmed.

Construction will soon begin for the safe rooms at the elementary and intermediate schools, while the new parking lot on the north side of the junior high will also start. Likewise, construction is set to begin for the new agricultural barn. The elementary gym will also be renovated.

Dr. McAdoo said there will be two school board seats up for election next year. Filing will be from December 1-3 with the election, if necessary, set for February.

Two parents spoke at the meeting requesting the board to consider starting girls’ volleyball.

Dr. McAdoo said Purcell has contacted other schools with the idea of co-oping but so far hasn’t found another district interested.

During the meeting Monday the board approved:

• The 2025-26 estimate of needs
• Fundraisers for NHS, KKids and After Prom
• The 2026 board calendar
• The $1,000 retention stipend for certified staff and a $250 stipend for the 2025-26 school year
• A $500 stipend for certified staff and a $250 stipend for support staff
• A transition stipend of $500 for Jennifer Allen-Price
• The elementary school tutoring proposal
• Sanctioned the band boosters
• Revised the 2026-27 district calendar to remove virtual days, as required by law