August 16, 2019 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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dee a Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Board members hear positive financial report By Don Munsch, Editor Elk City Public Schools’ finances still are shipshape as classes began this week, board members learned Monday at their regular meeting. “Right now, we’re projecting our expenditures to be around $15.6 [million],” Superintendent Rick Garrison told the board. “I think it’s important for the board to understand that’s including six new positions that we didn’t have last year. We’ve added three new elementary teachers, a speech path assistant, a trainer/science teacher and a full-time ag [teacher]. ... That’s a heavy lift to bring those in. We still think there could be about $400,000 in expenditures still out there for us.” He explained the district typically spends about $100,000 Back to school in substitutes and there’s some extra duty expenses that the district incurs, The district’s education foundation gives about $60,000 in teacher classroom grants each year, and that amount along with bus drivers and substitute salaries are not in the district expenditures at this time, Garrison said, Those expenses are factored in as they happen. “We figure our revenue is going to be about $15.7 [mil- lion], so we’re running pretty close to bringing in what we Sarah Grow, right front, leads daughters Serenity Rhodes, left, and Kennedee Rhodes into Elk City think we’re going to spend,” he said, mentioning substitute Elementary School on the first day of classes Thursday. The girls are kindergarten students. pay requirements and other expenses that are not known yet Elk City High School varsity quarterback Caden Culver prepares to hand the ball off to a running back that could affect the revenue total. while under the watchful eye of assistant coach Jay McClure, center, during a drill Wednesday after- In July, as the fiscal year began, the district had $2.6 mil- noon. Elk City began football practices on Monday. Staff photos Don Munsch. lion in carryover funds. “These numbers play out not taking into account the $400,000 [in future expenses},” Garrison said. “We’re go- a respectable carryover, but you can’t do that very many “Probably 45 or so those kids will be new growth, and so ing to eat into that just a little bit.” years,” Garrison said. that’s a pretty good thing,” Garrison said. If the district uses all of that $400,000, it will decrease the $2.6 million carryover to around $2.2 million, although the As of last Friday, the district enrolled about 110 new stu- The elementary had about 65 new students last Friday, and district is on pace to spend $107,518.17 this year, dropping dents, although Garrison expects some students to drop out Garrison figured more students would enroll before Thurs it to $2.1 million, but a carryover of $2.1-2.2 million is “still of the district, as some students move out. See Board page 2. Monkey embraces OSU president, basketball coach to attend alumni event rodeo life By Don Munsch, Editor Oklahoma State University will have an alumni gather- By Ruth Nicolaus, Special Contributor ing Tuesday in Elk City, with the school president, Burns When the Rodeo of Champions returns to Elk City, it will Hargis, appearing at the event. have one of the fans' most favorite acts with it: Whiplash the A Night with OSU will be at 5:30 p.m. at Moran’s Secret Cowboy Monkey. Gardens, 300 E. Seventh St. The intent of the event centers Whiplash will be in town to entertain during each night on celebrating the university’s academic and athletic suc- ofthe rodeo, Aug, 30 through Sept. 1. Whiplash will don cess, according to a news release. Tickets to the event are cowboy clothes: chaps, a shirt and leggings and a custom $25 per person. made cowboy hat. Attendees will enjoy informal conversations and discus- Then he rides his mount, a Border Collie, as they round up sions with Cowboy and Cowgirl coaches and university the sheep in the rodeo arena. leadership, including Mike Boynton, men’s head basket- The monkey is cared for by Kenny Petet, who lives in Ste- ball coach; Larry Reece, senior associate athletic director for OSU Athletics; and Blaire Atkinson, president of the phenville, Texas. The capuchin monkey has been doing the OSU Alumni Association. act his entire life. This is the first alumni event that has been held in Elk Whiplash loves his job, Petet said. City in several years, so the alumni group is excited to "He gets wound up when it's time to go," he said. "He knows the rhythm. When I'm changing into my dress clothes, be coming to town, said Pam Davis, vice president of the he knows the rodeo music, and he can always hear it, be- OSU Alumni Association. “Tt’s a really just about bringing OSU people together cause we park close to the arena. He'll crawl up on my lap, to hear about the great things happening at OSU, so Presi- and put his arms out so I can put his shirt on." dent Burns Hargis will come and just give an update on As part ofthe act, Petet has designed and built a rat rod to how well Oklahoma State is thriving and [discuss] new make his entrance in and exit out of the arena. A self-defined buildings on campus,” Davis said in interview with The hot rod guy, he built most of it from a variety of parts: the cab Elk City News. from a 1946 Chevy, the grill from an International tractor, Whiplash The Cowbowy Monkey. Photo submitted. Boynton, heading into his third season as head coach. the headlights from a 1920s model Cadillac, will discuss the status on the basketball team, the recruiting the wheels from a 1929 Model A. The engine, a Chevy 350 class, summer workouts and some new assistant coaches See Monkey page 2. on his staff, Davis said. “It’s really to do a fireside chat and a preview of what See OSU page 2. Two Sweetwater Beckham County fair beckons people hurt in crash By Don Munsch, Editor FFA participants will be involved in the fair. Longtime Beckham County Fall Free Fair The fair also includes a Kids Korner Mon- fairgoer Virginia Reid compares the fair to ey Scramble [$50], sponsored by Bank of that of man whose work is a part of Ameri- Western Oklahoma, which will be the morn- ‘Two Sweetwater people were injured and was admitted in stable condition with head, cana, ing of Sept. 7. Showmanship, both Junior sent to hospitals after a car crash late Tues- trunk, arm and leg injuries. “We have a Norman Rockwell county and Senior Division, sponsored by the Beck- day morning northeast of Erick, according to Benji Burckhalter was driving his 2016 fair,” said Reid, who lives in Elk City and ham County Fair Board, also will be held. A an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report. does some publicity for the fair. “We can al- tasting party, featuring many baked goods, Benji Burckhalter, 50, the driver, and his Ford F-350 pickup southbound on SH152 ways improve; there’s always room for im- will be held at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 7. The pet wife, April Burckhalter, 39, the passenger, when the right front tire of the vehicle blew provement.” parade will be the afternoon of Sept. 7. were hurt in the wreck, which occurred just out causing the driver to lose control of the Any resident can enter the fair, which will All indoor entries can be entered from 4-7 before 10:50 a.m. on Highway 152 at Coun- be Sept. 5-7 at the Beckham County Activity Center (fair barn). The event includes a live- p.m, Sept, 5 and 7-11 am, on Sept. 6. All vehicle, which left the roadway to the right ty Road NS1780, 10 miles north and 5 miles east of Erick, in Beckham County. and struck a culvert. stock show, pet parade and lots of exhibits. indoor exhibits will be judged at 3 p.m. Sept The driver was taken to Roger Mills Me- Trooper Tyler Smith investigated the People may enter the cake, food preserva- 6. Exhibit hall doors open to the public at 8 morial Hospital in Cheyenne by Roger wreck and was assisted by Beckham Coun- tion, expressive arts, fine arts/crafts, photog- a,m. on Sept. 7. Mills County EMS and was treated and re- raphy, floral culture, home garden, favorite For more information, call the Beckham leased with head injuries, the report said. ty Sheriff's Office, Sinor and Roger Mills dessert, food preparation and quilt exhibits. Couny Extension Office at 580-928-2139. April Burckhalter was taken via Air Evac to County EMS and the Oklahoma Department All first place finishes in these categories Free fair books can be found at Elk City City Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo and of Transportation. will be judged for Best ofFair. Both 4-H and Hall lobby. AMON AHN] onshore t 93/71 Vol. 117, No. 66 75 cents, 10 pgs. Mail delivery 580.225.3000 View online elkcityoknews.com