Purcell’s Board of Education held a special meeting last Friday at 1 p.m. and voted to sell the general obligation bonds for the new junior high gymnasium for $2,335,000.

In other action at the meeting, Jason Tompkins was hired as a high school computer teacher and assistant basketball and softball coach.

The board also approved the hiring of Hailee Smith as a paraprofessional at the junior high and co-cheer sponsor for the high school.

“Tompkins is a proud Dragon alum (Class of 1996), and we’re always thrilled to welcome Dragons back home,” high school principal Jason Sanders said.

Tompkins brings nearly 20 years of teaching and coaching experience, most recently as a computer teacher and head softball coach at Wynnewood High School.

“He and his wife Samantha, and their two children, Landri (5th grade) and Crue (1st grade), are a fantastic addition to our Purcell family. Welcome home, Jason,” Sanders said.

“Hailee brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm, currently working as a manager and coach at Infinity Dance & Cheer in Purcell,” Sanders said.

Smith most recently served as an Assistant Cheer Coach at Southmoore High School, where she also worked as a paraprofessional at Southridge Junior High.

She is a 2022 graduate of Wayne High School, and in addition to her cheer coaching role, she’ll be joining the district as a paraprofessional at Purcell Junior High.

“Hailee will be co-coaching alongside our very own Kassi Buchanan, who currently serves as our High School Registrar and is a former PHS cheerleader herself (Class of 1995),” Sanders continued.

“We’re thrilled about the combined experience and energy these two will bring to our cheer program. Welcome to the Dragon family, Hailee,” Sanders concluded.