)D: News and V,00ws from the C,'marron Valley
The
rkins Journal
t==.
:RD YEAR VOLUME 103, NUMBER 19
Perkins, Payne County, Oklahoma, 74059
Thursday, February 4, 1993
35¢
hool board candidates impressive at PIE forum
Bob Williams
Editor
the Partners In Education
forum last Thursday is any
then voters in the
School district can't
n'ong in its selection of a new
t member Feb. 9.
1 three candidates, Dwight
m, Larry Huff and Lawrence
nson, bode well in the question-
r session held in the Perkins
tary School Cafeteria with
acting a moderator.
vn scored points by stressing
ants the board to turn control
the administrators.
e board can't, and shouldn't,
,'olv in the every day work-
the school system," Brown
. =The board has to turn ad-
trative powers over to the ad-
tration. Go by the recommen-
ks of the professionals and not
every recommendation they
ff's enthusiasm for the posi-
his main strength at the fo-
elected, I will do my best
Vet the needs of the students
he COmmunity," he said in his
ig remarks. =I'm a graduate
, Perkins-Tryon schools. I owe
to P-T schools. I know how
tnt a public education is.
:4 Will be there when you need
was the most prepared
the longest answers. He
two most specific goals
"to implement site-based
where each school
be given a budget which
allow individuals to utilize
to the fullest, and also
be held accountable for the goals to
a common good.
=And begin a structured plan of
facility needs and improvements so
the community can be completely
informed on what we are trying
to achieve. It would be a reliever
long-range plan, be it for a new
gynmasium, high school structure,
etc., so the community can see the
goals."
The session lasted 75 minutes
with five prepared statements and
four questions from the floor.
There were no controversial ques-
tions, answers or issues.
In response to the opening ques-
tion of "What are the great-
est strengths of the Perkins-Tryon
schools?" All three agreed it was me
"great administrators, teachers and
community." The second part of the
question "What areas do you want
to see improved during your term
in of'rice?" Brown and Huff replied
with the opening lines of communi-
cations.
=Board members and the school
personnel must work together with
the community. Each side has to
know where the other is coming
from," said Brown.
"We have to make sure our line
of comnmnication is open. We have
to listen to the community, and we
must try to upgrade some of our
facilities," said Huff.
Robinson replied with "develop-
ing a long-range plan to upgrade
and replace facilities and implement
site-based management."
The three candidates were asked
to "comment on the effects of
House Bill 1017 on the Perkins-
Tryon schools. How will the further
implementation of the bill impact on
the school system?"
"There's a lot I don't know about
HB 1017. But I will learn," said
Huff. "I know it has given most
of our teachers a needed pay raise,
made the class sizes smaller and has
helped counselors on each level. For
the future, I understand it's going
to create language courses and
upgrade our report card system."
"FIB 1017 is probably the
most positive step taken by our
state legislature to upgrade the
educational system within recent
memory," said Robinson. "It has
done a lot to focus on class size.
I feel implementation of the rest
of 1017 will put a lot of pressure
on the educational system to do the
things required. I think it will be a
very positive influence on teaching
and class sizes."
Brown replied, "HB 1017 will
effect the school budget, both now
and the long term. It is a great
step forward. It is giving us more
one-on-one teaching. The question
however is how is the state going to
continue to fund this bill?"
There was no real disagreement
on the question of =What do you see
as the role of the school board mem-
ber in determining budget, curricu-
lum and personnel selection?"
=A board member must under-
stand the budget both on a short
and long-term basis," said Robin-
son. "In curriculum, we must be
aware of the needs of the Students
and provide them with the kind of
subjects necessary to give the stu-
dents a complete education. In per-
sonnel, we need to listea to the ad-
ministrators and their recommenda-
tions."
Huff repfied, =The board has to
work closely with the administra-
tion in aH three areas. We have to
listen to the administration. They
are the paid professionals. It's their
job to make recommendations to
us. The administration listens to the
teachers and then makes recommen-
dations to the board."
"The board actually has very
little control over the budget,"
said Brown. "There's only about
l g percent for the board to
consider. We can't be involved to and that I am open minded,"
in the day-to-day operation of replied Huff. "I think my ability to
the schools. That's why you have keep an open line of communication
administrators. They run the school is important. If there's a problem,
and make recommendations on I'll always be willing to sit down
personnel. Listening to the needs and talk about the situation. I don't
of the students by the teachers and have as much experience as the other
administrators will enable us to two candidates but I'll work hard to
make decisions on curriculum." make this a better school district."
Concerning the hiring of a effeLaive at the end of this school
new superintendent to replace Dr.
Virginia Webb, who has resigned (See FORUM on Pase 6)
THE THREE school board candidates, from the left, Dwight Brown, Lawrence Robinaon and
Larry Huff, wlah each other good luck after speaking to Partners In Education (PIE) last week.
The annual hool election is Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Bob Williams,
Editor
;nttact agreement with the
rs and Perkins-Tryon School
------- t was finally reached, a pitch
naoe for a wrestline program
of the school principals were
reign! Monday at the February
' fl board meeting.
e stumbling block in me
Ill ioes, pay for teachers with
r years experience,
OVercome
,^ agreed to'a one-time stipend
'.'-'::" for these teachers," ex-
:i.! '" d Karen Bair, president of the
:.' .lTon Education Associa-
,r I tA).
e teachers have been without
atract for the 1992-93 school
to it settled,"
get
the agreement
the board's negotiat-
through a federal modera-
irst of three executive
1:14. The board met
doors to discuss the
to open session,
board president,
m making surc wc
OKs teacher's pact; hears wrestling report
were agreeing to the same things the
teachers had already ratified."
The raises for the teachers go into
effect Feb. 28. The salary increases
from the start of school to the end
of February will be divided equally
over the final months of the school
year. The teachers eligible for the
$500 stipend will receive the money
in one lump sum Feb. 28.
With 59 parents, students and
fans showing up at the start of
the monthly meeting, the opening
session was moved from the board
room to the high school cafeteria.
The group had come to ask the
board to consider adding wrestling
as a middle and high school sport.
Tracy Farmer, co-director of
the Perkins Parks and Recreation
Department, and Bob DiIIinger,
director of the Wrestling Hall of
Fame, were speakers. Dillinger was
subbing for former OSU wrestling
coach and athletic director Myron
Roderick.
=To start with, I want to give
you some statistics," said Farmer.
"The Perkins Youth Sports Program
(PYSO) started wrestling this year
and we had 67 signup. That was
four-years-old to under 15. Forty-
eight of those kids were in the
fifth through ninth grades. We had
ii:/
:i!ii//
'! 'ii i
. i! ¸¸
HANES, 10, prepares to drop off a book in the new
return,, in front of the Thomaa-Wilhite Ubrary. The book
made possible by an annual donation to the library
County Bank.
other kids, over 15,-call us and we
had to turn them away because our
program was for youths under 15.
"I have three petitions signed
by 80 kids requesting a wrestling
program. There are more who waat
it but these are just the ones who
showed up for a meeting tonight.
"we had our own tournament last
month. We had 40 kids enter and 32
of them placed.
"Last weekend, we entered the
State YMCA tournament and woa
the Division V championship. We
sent 12 to the state meet and l0 of
them placed at least fourth.
"I know a concern for the board
is how to pay for the program. Just
about every school has a own
Booster Club.
"'II&e Morrison for instance.
They are about our size. Their
Takedown Club raises money for
the expenses Of a coach and buys
uniforms. The 'Ikkedown Club's
fund raising and gate receipts pays
for the program.
"Wrestling is an alternative for
students who don't want to play
basketball," said Farmer.
Dillinger, a former beat writer
covering wrestling for The Daily
Oldahoman, talked about the values
of a wrestling program.
"It's a wholesome sport that
produces good people.
"At the Wrestling Hall of Fame
we now have a new wing fea-
turing outstanding Americans who
School
Election
is Tuesday
Three millage elections and a
three-man race for the Perkins-
Tryon Board of Education Tuesday,
Feb. 9. The polls will be open from
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dwight Brown, Larry Huff and
Lawrence Robinson are the trio
running for the board seat now held
by Beanie Sadler who isn't seeking
a second term. If no candidate
receives more than 50 percent of the
votes cast in the election, a runoff
election between the two candidates
with the highest number of votes
will be conducted April 6.
The school district is also seeking
the passage of three millage levees
- 10-miil local support, five-
mill emergency levy and five-mill
building fund levy. Passage of all
three are necessary to keep the
Perkins-Tryon school doors open.
have wrestled. This group includes
three presidents (Washington, Lin-
coln and Teddy Roosevelt), one as-
tronaut, two Nobel Prize winners
and one general.
"Wrestling teaches self-deter-
mination, self-reliance and dedica-
tion. It offers some one too small
to play football or basketball an o13.
portunity to excel. Your bigger kids,
who aren't agile enough for basket-
baH, can wrestle. Ask any football
coach and they love to have their
players involved in wrestling." The 37-minute discussion ended
Roggow opened the meeting up with Roggow instructing Dr, Vir-
for discussion from the floor, ginia Webb, superintendent of
Grover Rains, a former NCAA schools, to meet with athletic direc-
champion at Oklahoma State and tar Lance Miller, the coaches and
now a Perkins resident; David principals to prepare a report on
Smith, who coached the PYSO the feasibility of adding wresting.
team; H.M. Mceutchen, Tryon; Sid The report would include cost, addi-
Davis, ex-coach who was Perkins' tional coaches, if any, facilities and
reacher of the Year last year; and scheduling.
Harland Wells, local businessman; After the first executive sessiem,
spoke in behalf of the values of
wrestling and how it can be funded. (See BOARD on Page 6)
Webb says 'yes' vote critical
By Dr. Virginia Webb,
Superintendent of Schools
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the annual
school millage election will be
held for the Perkins-Tryon School
District.
In order to continue operation of
our local school, it's essential that
citizens exercise their right to vote
in this election and pass all three
All Oklahoma school districts
will hold an election that day to
submit the lO-mill local support
levy, five-mill emergency levy and
the five-mill building fund levy
for approval by a majority of the
electors for this fiscal year.
All Oklahoma school districts
currently have these levies in effect
and the proposed vote will not
increase current taxes.
It's important these millages, or
"school taxes" be passed in order
for the district to operate during
the next fiscal year and receive
maximum state aid.
If any of the millages are
not passed, state aid and local
support moneys will be deducted
in relation to those millages not
passed. Without state and federal
aid, which totals about 79 percent of
the Perkins-Tryon Public Schools'
operating budget, our school could
not remain open.
Citizens are always concerned
about the total amount of taxes they
pay and the use of the moneys raised
by these taxes. A question that often
arises concerns what will happen if
the millages are not approved.
Addressing this question, Larry
Lewis, Oklahoma State School
Boards attorney, states:
=Some voters have thought if
they did not vote the millage their
property would not be taxed by the
current school district. But it is
going to be taxed by some school
district and that neighboring district
to the current district would be
numdatorily annexed by the State
Board of Education if its ters
would not approve millage. It might
even have higher tax rates thaa the
current district, is notified of the call for election).
"Why would the rates be higher If the millage is not approved by
if both district tax the maximum the end of the fiscal year, the
mills? Because the neighboring State Board of Education will most
district may have more bonded likely use its mandatory annexation
indebmess - ad valorem taxes - to powers to dissolve the district and
pay off construction projects, place it in some other district(s)."
"If district voters do not approve
the millage, the board can call for a Paying for another election or,
new €lection (the election can't be losing the school districts are two
set less than four or five days from horrid consequences of the millage
the date the county election board levees not being passed on Tuesday.
CHILl AND STEW supper at the Perkins Senior Citizen's Center.
The supper will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. Cost of the
supper is only $3 and goes to paying the Center's utility bills.
A P-T BAND BOOSTER MEETING will be held Thursday, Feb.
4, in the high school band room. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
THE TAYLORSVILLE GOSPEL OPRY will be held Thursday,
Feb. 4, starting at 7 p.m. The Opry will feature the Heartland Quartet,
the Livingstone Trio, the Gospel Beacons from Cushing, Mike and Dede
Dunn and Brenda Robinson.
A SENIOR SOFTBALL program is being formed for players nearly
50 and above, Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Stillwater Holiday Inn beginning at 2
p.m. Games will be played in Stillwater one or two nights a week. Senior
rules will be used. All seniors are invited to attend who are interested in
recreational softball.
COYLE'S ANNUAL 4-H and FFA will hold its annual pork chop
supper and auction Saturday, Feb. 6. The meal will be served from 5:30-
7 p.m. Cost of the meal is $4 for adults aad $3 for children. The auction
will follow the meal. Proceeds go towards the equalization money for the
Coylc 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors.
PERKINS AG BOOSTERS will meet Mond, Feb. 8, in the
elementary school cafeteria. Hans will be made for the upcoming local
livestock show Feb. 27. All members and parents of children showing
animals are needed to plan this event.
THE OAK GROVE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION will hold its
annual meeting Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Progress Community
building. In case of bad weather, the meeting will be postponed one week.
PERKINS-TRYON BAND BOOSTERS will be holding a bake
sale Saturday, Feb. 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m, at the Perkins Journal.
Everything being sold wilt be valentine related.
