By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
The Yukon school district has again been recognized as a great place to work.
“We want to congratulate all of our staff on just making Yukon the ‘place to be’,” Yukon Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent Desarae Witmer said.
YPS Board of Education members and administrators praised district employees at the December school board meeting after YPS was named a “Top Workplace” by The Oklahoman.
This marked the seventh straight year Yukon Schools has achieved this high honor, Witmer shared.
YPS has some 1,023 employees – including certified and support personnel.
The quality of schools is a primary factor families use when deciding where to move.
“Yukon is amazing,” YPS Post 5 Board Member Cody Sanders said. “We are busting at the seams with people trying to get into our district.
“The reason is not because of our buildings and it’s not because of the city council here. It’s because of the school district. The school district is amazing.”
Yukon school enrollment is the highest ever, now around 9,500 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Sanders especially commended YPS educators, notably the district’s Teacher of the Year finalists recognized during the Dec. 5th board meeting.
“I want to thank everyone for their exemplary service and dedication to these kids,” she said.
YPS Post 3 Board Member Chris Cunningham was impressed that Yukon’s school district headed the list as a Top Workplace in the education category.
“To me, that speaks volumes,” said Cunningham, who teaches in Mustang. “That’s amazing for the school district.
“I’m pretty happy to be a small part of that.”
Referring to Yukon school bond issue projects, Cunningham bragged on new monument signs installed at various school sites.
“That looks really, really impressive,” he said. “They’re all matching, and they all look really great.”
CLEAN AUDIT
The Yukon school district had a clean annual audit report, YPS board members learned at their Dec. 5th meeting.
“Good news – we saw increases in the general fund balance, building fund balance and child nutrition fund balance,” auditor Jerry Putnam said. “Those fund balances are important because that’s half of what we have (in total revenues).
“Yukon spent about $10.9 million in federal money last year and still had $1,184,000 receivable at the end of the year.”
Outstanding debt increased about $1,175,000 to $49,180,000.
Audit findings for a school district of Yukon’s size were “pretty insignificant,” Putnam added.
“Keep up the good work,” he said.
NEW PRINCIPAL SEARCH
The search is underway for a new YPS principal for 2023-24.
Myers Elementary School will need a new head principal after Ron Brummett retires effective June 5, 2023.
Brummett’s retirement resignation request was approved under the personnel docket at December’s board meeting.
Candidates should have a valid administrative certificate and master’s degree.
Salary is $73,181 per year for an 11-month (210 day) contract.
