The Luther School Board December meeting lasted a short 20 minutes, and most of those minutes were spent honoring students. High school students from band, the skeet shooting team and the football team were honored by the board for recent achievements.
As for board business, the board learned that ad valorem taxes are coming in from Oklahoma, Logan and Lincoln County residents in the school district. While the district is easily meeting payroll and obligations, it is possible that some appropriate salaries will be moved to the building or child nutrition funds to help the general fund balance as soon as next month. This cash issue is the result of funding raises for teachers and staff. The revenue package passed by the state legislature for teacher raises earlier this year did not apply to Luther because of Luther’s funding formula, so the district had to fund the increases.
The board applauded members of the LMS and LHS bands who auditioned for various honor bands. Sophomore Collin Garrett earned eighth chair trombone for the Oklahoma Baptist University Honor Band, and was second round All-State. The OBU performance will be January 8.
Making up part of the Cimarron Valley Honor Band are several Luther middle and high school students. The performance will be February 2 at Cushing High School.
Seventh Grade
Karen Landavazo, sixth chair flute
Aby Gilliland, fifteenth chair clarinet
Eighth Grade
Baylee Gilliland, alternate, flute
Sophomore
Ryan Jasper, ninth chair, trumpet
Jazz Band
David Seda-Lacelle, bass.
The State Skeet Shooting Team members also were recognized for their state championship; and the football team was recognized for its academic championship.
It was the last board meeting before school district voters go to the polls on January 8, 2019, to decide on a $24 million bond package for taxpayers to fund a new basketball gym, cafeteria, saferooms and technology.
The challenger to incumbent Sherri Anderson’s seat on the school board also attended his first school board meeting. Justin Wood filed along with Anderson for the seat last week at the Oklahoma County Election Board. That election is April 2, 2019.
