George Washington Elementary school teachers were recognized during a recent meeting of the Durant Board of Education for their team efforts in UFLI implementation and increasing student attendance.
UFLI is a program by the University of Florida Literacy Institute to teach foundational reading skills.
GW Principal Valerie Crabtree presented a slideshow on the programs. At the beginning of the school year, GW focused on the three R’s, Reading, Relationships with one another, the students, their families and the community with student attendance increase as a priority. Resources are helping teachers grow.
“We have some of the best educators in our building,” according to one of the slides shown by Crabtree. “It will be a priority this year to observe and collaborate with other teachers in our building.”
When GW opened in the fall of 2022, three elementary schools were merged with many teachers of different backgrounds.
Assistant Superintendent Kenny Chaffin presented Crabtree and GW teachers with a certificate of academic performance ROAR Award (Recognizing Outstanding Academic Results). Washington Irving was recognized last month, and Moring said this is an ongoing effort to recognize teachers and school sites that are going above and beyond for academic performance.
Action on renewing Superintendent Mark Moring’s contract for a term beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2028, was tabled by the board at the request of Moring because board member Paul Buntz was not present for the meeting.
The following contracts were renewed for the 2026-2027 school year: Kenny Chaffin, assistant superintendent; Sharon Wadley, treasurer; Tony Tubbs, athletic director; John Wilmoth, Vision Academy; Charlene Hibbs, director of Indian Education; Lori McCoy, director of special education; Beth Bean, director of curriculum; Larry Bennett, chief technology director; Andi Hudson, technology director; Terry Bourne, maintenance director, and Jesse Bateman, transportation director.
When the vote was called, board member Chaz Polk asked to vote on Tubbs’ contract separately. He voted no while the other board members approved it. Polk declined to comment when asked why after the meeting.
Board members also approved the employment of Victoria Giunn as special education teacher assistant at the intermediate school and Tonya Burgess as nurse/secretary for the Choctaw Nation POSSE Summer School.
The board awarded bids of $61,649.01 to Saied Music and $11,000.00 to Ada Music Center to purchase band instruments and equipment for the school district.
