The Durant Board of Education during its Monday meeting voted to renew the contract for Superintendent Mark Moring for a term beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 20, 2027.
Moring, who previously was superintendent at Davis, has been Durant’s superintendent since July 1 of last year following the retirement of Duane Merideth.
Moring recognized Choctaw Nation Junior Miss Daryan Eubanks and Little Miss Ava Davenport, who were present for the meeting as was Choctaw Nation District 9 Tribal Council Member James Dry.
The Choctaw Nation crowns local princesses annually from each of the tribe’s 12 districts. Eubanks represents district 9 and she is an 11th grader at Durant High School and she is a participant in the DISD Indian Education Program. She is the daughter of Wendi Eubanks.
Davenport also represents district 9 and she is in the fourth grade at Washington Irving and she participates in the DISD Indian Education Program. She is the daughter of Crystal and Sean Davenport.
“We have some phenomenal young ladies that we will report on today,” Moring said. “First, I would like to welcome Councilman James Dry being here today. We have two students in our midst that are Choctaw Nation Royalty and this is an extremely big deal.”
In other agenda items, Mid-Plains Construction presented an update on the new agriculture building at the high school that is nearing completion. Current work includes restrooms, floor tiling, the trophy case, pouring concrete paving, intercom/clock system and flooring finishes. A greenhouse also will be built and there will be a final cleaning upon completion of the project.
It is expected to be finished within the next two weeks. Funding is from a bond approved by voters and the old agriculture building will be renovated for use by the school’s aviation students.
Moring commented on the illnesses in the school district.
“Last Thursday and Friday, we were right around the 12 and 13 percent range,” Moring said. “Percentage wise, I think Northwest Heights may have been slightly above the others but we were all right there at about 12 to 13 percent.
“So, we’re just going to continue to encourage hand washing and covering your cough and your sneezes. It’s definitely a balancing act when you look at it. Kids need to be in school and we need to take precautions as much as possible.”
The superintendent said Durant’s percentage of illnesses are not as extreme as other districts in the past.
“Hopefully, that remains and this nice weather gets us outside and we’re not as cooped up,” Moring said.
According to Moring, the percentage of teachers who have been sick is about the same, but cafeteria staff has been hit with illnesses.
“Sodexo had nine employees out so they’re scrambling,” Moring said. “Our food choices are a little bit altered today in the cafeteria. It’s definitely put a strain on some sites and supervision and different things as well and that’s what we really looked at going even back to the days of COVID. You look at the sickness, but can we safely have school? Hopefully, at the end of this week, it can start improving.”
The following contracts for the 2025-2026 school year also were approved by the board: Kenny Chaffin, assistant superintendent; Kelly Dillard, clerk of the board/treasurer; Sharon Wadley, treasurer; Tony Tubbs, athletic director; John Wilmoth, Vision Academy; Charlene Hibbs, Indian education director; Lori McCoy, special education director; Beth Bean, director of curriculum; Larry Bennett, chief technology director; Andi Hudson, technology director, and Terry Bourne, maintenance director.
Board members approved the following employments: Julie Hitchcock, school psychologist; Pamela Wingfield, special education teacher at WI; Brooklyn Jones, Julia Goucher and Rhythm Aswal, special education teacher assistants at WI; Haley McNeill and Carson Atwood, special education teacher assistants at GW; Kari Green, Bob Hall and Breanna Self, special education teacher assistants at DIS, and Samual Rodriguez, transportation employee.
