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January is School Board Appreciation Month and Durant Board of Education members were presented gift baskets during a Monday meeting of the board. From left, Paul Buntz, Janie Umsted, Chaz Polk, Joyce Northcutt and Jason Manous. Matt Swearengin | Durant Democrat
The Durant Board of Education voted to renew Superintendent Duane Merideth’s contract beginning July 1, 2024-June 30, 2026.
The vote was after a short meeting in executive session during Monday’s meeting of the board.
The board received the results of the 2023 fiscal year audit, which was discussed by telephone by a representative of Bledsoe, Hewitt & Gullekson, Certified Public Accountants.
The representative said it was a “very good audit.”
Merideth was pleased with the audit.
“It was an absolutely phenomenal audit,” he said, giving credit to school staff members who work in that department.
January is School Board Appreciation month and Merideth recognized board members Paul Buntz, Janie Umsted, Chaz Polk, Joyce Northcutt and Jason Manous, who were presented gift baskets.
“You can tell you’re very much appreciated,” he said. “We thank everybody for your service and your time and effort you put into this. So thank you so much for that.”
Merideth gave construction updates in the district. Root Engineering in Van Alystyne, Texas, completed engineering at the Vision Academy for plumbing, electrical and mechanical. They also sent the school district a $250 donation for student lunch balances and Merideth said that has been applied across the board for those who have balances.
The agriculture building is in progress and Merideth said things are going well on that project although cooperation from the weather is needed. A new roof is being put on the Vision Academy.
Merideth said it is a busy time of year athletically for the school district.
“We’ve got basketball,” he said. “Our girls won fifth place last week in the McAlester tournament and the boys were third with a win over McAlester. Wrestling is going full strong.
The board approved the following new employments: Helena Guidry, STEM teacher at DMS; Ashlee Walker, ELA teacher at DMS, and Julianne Fields, special education teacher assistant at WI.