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BOARD ACTIONS

The Board approved the following agenda items:

• Recommendation of employment of new personnel and reassignments

• Motion regarding revisions of District Policy BA- District Administration

• Motion regarding Agreement with Laura Ganz, LLPC (“Ganz”) for services as consultant for negotiations between Putnam City Schools, Putnam City Association of Classroom Teachers, and Putnam City Education Support Professionals for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Motion regarding Course Description Guide for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Motion regarding granting utility easement access to OG&E for the relocation of existing electrical lines at Putnam City North High School for the Storm Shelter Addition Project.

• Motion regarding the revised Rates of Pay Schedule for temporary jobs for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Motion regarding District Negotiating Team with the Putnam City Association of Classroom Teachers for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Motion regarding District Negotiating Team with the Putnam City Education Support Professionals for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Motion for the Board to consider and take action on a resolution determining the maturities of, and setting a date, time and place for the sale of the $32,000,000 General Obligation Combined Purpose Bonds of this School District, and designating bond counsel for this issuance of bonds.

• Motion regarding renewal of employment of the Superintendent’s Cabinet for the 2026-2027 school year which includes: Nancy Ingle, Cory Boggs, Dr. Shbrone Brookings, Barbara Crump, Dr. Matthew Flinton, Dr. Diane Floyd, Dr. Keely Frayser, Dr. Jason Memoli, and Ryan Spilman.

For a full list of Board meeting items and attachments, please view the full agenda on our website.

COLLETTE SHEPARD-MCINTIRE 

Collette Shepard-McIntire welcomed everyone back for the second semester.

CHARITY AVERY

Charity Avery thanked Chief Stout and Capt. Mauk for their lifesaving efforts [of Assistant Chief Herb Nelson] and stressed the importance of CPR training. 

JUDY MULLEN-HOPPER

Judy Mullen-Hopper thanked those staff members who put together our District’s robust course description guide and the unique options that we offer for students. Thanked New Church for accommodating the Board during the Superintendent search process. 

JAY SHERRILL

Jay Sherrill echoed his colleagues and spoke about our student leaders from tonight about their crowning achievements and willingness to take advantage of the opportunities that our District offers.

STEVE BURGER

Steve Burger gave condolences to Chief Stout and Capt. Mauk and spoke to the unique training that our Transportation Department underwent this month for active shooter situations. 

Meeting Date: Monday, January 12, 2026, 5pm
Location: PC Centennial Center, Gail LoPresto Board Room
1914 Centennial Pkwy, OKC. OK. 73122
In Attendance: Board Members: President Steve Burger, Charity Avery, Judy Mullen-Hopper, and Collette Shepard-McIntire; Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes, Board Clerk Stephanie Knox
Next Meeting: Monday, February 2, 2026, 5pm

At each Board Meeting, we incorporate high school student leaders to open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence. This tradition is guided by our District's mission statement of empowering students to achieve personal success and enrich the community.

Tonight's student leaders were:

Victoria Arenas, a senior at Putnam City High School and holds a 4.1 GPA. She is the president of the Academic Team and the Psychology Club. Victoria has also spent two years in the Unified Leadership program, which works with our Pirates with special needs. She has taken 13 AP and Honors-level classes while expertly balancing her extracurriculars. Outside of school, Victoria is passionate about veterinary medicine and has worked with animals ranging from dogs and cats to elephants and rhinos. In the fall, Victoria will attend Oklahoma State University while majoring in Wildlife Biology & Pre-Veterinary Science."

Chantal Nieto Hernandez, a senior at Putnam City West High School.  Being the oldest of three girls and a first-generation student, it has shaped the way she sees the world and the responsibility she feels toward her family and community. Chantal has maintained a 4.0 GPA and challenged herself with 10 AP classes—not just to reach her own goals, but to open doors for those who come after her.

Chantal has dedicated herself to being involved and giving back. She has been involved in band, NHS, student council, Patriot Partners, and TRIO Upward Bound. Through this, she has learned the importance of communication, leadership, and resilience. Community service, both in and outside of school, has taught her the value of compassion and the power of helping others.

Chantal has been recognized as an outstanding musician and soloist for three years, as well as being crowned Homecoming Queen while representing the PCW Band.

Chantal would like to use every opportunity to make a positive difference in the world. Her biggest hope is to inspire others, especially younger students like her sisters, to believe in themselves and to keep pushing, no matter how difficult the path may seem.

As we begin a new semester, I want to warmly welcome back our students, families, and staff. A new semester marks a fresh start and provides an opportunity to reset goals, re-energize our efforts, and continue working together to ensure every student is supported, challenged, and inspired. With that, as tonight’s report was compiled, it was evident how a theme of involvement and volunteerism emerged. It simply reflects the deep-rooted support we so cherish in the District that sets us apart.  

Family and community involvement play a critical role in student success. When families are engaged in their schools, whether through attendance at events, communication with teachers, or simply supporting students and teachers through various means, it sends a powerful message that education matters. That same sense of involvement and pride is evident in our students who seek out extracurricular opportunities and extend their education beyond the classroom. Few examples illustrate this better than the PC North Student Section, the Pantheralls. The Pantheralls can be seen in their red and yellow striped overalls at nearly any school event, from fine arts to athletics. They have even earned accolades from other districts across the state for their school spirit, organization, and positive representation of their school at away games and events. Their recognition reflects what can happen when students take ownership, support one another, and fully invest in their school culture.

Comparably, the ultimate example of involvement and service in our District comes from our Board of Education. January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we are thankful for the time, leadership, and commitment our board members provide to Putnam City Schools. Serving as a board member requires countless hours of preparation, decision-making, and advocacy on behalf of our students, staff, and families, and all of this is done as a volunteer. We are grateful for their selfless service and steady leadership as they help guide our District boldly forward. I hope our community will join me in thanking our incredible board members for their service.

Together, we continue to write the story of Putnam City Schools through your involvement, support, and dedication to our shared mission of going boldly.

-Dr. Fred Rhodes

January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School, District Offices Closed

Recess was full of laughter and play as students across Putnam City returned from winter break and caught up with friends. These Lake Park Lions made the most of their first day back!

Ms. Dodson's second grade art class at Ralph Downs Elementary created one-of-a-kind designs! By arranging common shapes and painting the spaces in between, students explored how small ideas can turn into something new.

2nd grade at Rollingwood Elementary is a Top 3 school for the OKC Thunder's Reading Challenge! For this accomplishment, they recently received shirts and certificates from the Thunder. Next up, winning schools will get a visit from Rumble The Bison, the Thunder Drummers, and other prizes at a fun assembly. We wish them luck in reaching the top. Keep on reading, Rockets! 

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Putnam City Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, identity, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability. Translations are completed by Google Translate.