May 16, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 10

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Saturday, May 16, 2020 Board looks at finances as school year nears end By Don Munsch, Editor operations would not decrease in the future, that it would The Elk City Public Schools board received a promising cost at least that much next year. State lawmakers are look- report on finances at its monthly meeting Monday. ing at a 4 to 7 percent cut in state funding next year, Garrison During a discussion of the district’s financial report, year said, but school districts can receive federal stimulus money 20 budget, Elk City Super- to help them with their budgets. Districts will have to apply to date and projected from the FY intendent Rick Garrison said the district is on pace to spend for stimulus money. Garrison said Tuesday that the stimulus less than it what expected from its carryover fund. The dis- money would help but it would not project to cover the en- trict had expected to spend $800,000 from the $2.6 million tire cut from the state. In other developmetns the district has many projects and in carryover money, but the report given to trustees showed repairs slated for the summer, Garrison said. Added to these the district would spend nearly $360,000, ending the year projects is the latest hail storm that damaged many of the with $2.2 million in the carryover account. district’s vehicles and buildings. “We'll have two more months of revenue,” Garrison said, “We are currently dealing with our insurance company on referring to May and June, adding that “we sure need our full claims and potential repairs to these,” Garrison said in an carryover; it would be nice if we had more carryover going email Tuesday. “We still hope to do some of the other proj- into year.” ects if He told the board that the district’s $16.3 million to run See Finances page 2. Determination was the guiding Darius Randle, graduate of Elk City Public force for Merritt valedictorian Schools, is in his cap and gown running to his destiny. Elk City graduates will have @® Editor's note: This is the Academic All-Star, and she made the 2018 All-District Fast their parade Sunday. Photo submitted by PR) fourth ina series of stories on See Merritt page 2. Melanie Randle. area high schools’ valedicto- rians and salutatorians. By Don Munsch, Editor Elk City High graduation set for Sunday Jocelyn Thomas calls her- Scho: self a “determined” individ- ual, and her resolve has paid off as she finishes high school Q and begins the next phase of her life. Thomas Thomas finished as vale- dictorian for the Merritt High Spray Zon School class of 2020. “It’s a goal I’ve had for myself since the eighth grade,” she said about earning the top spot. “I wanted to be the best and 66 and I made sure that I would.” Museum Ackley Park She said her parents and grandparents have always pushed her to do well, but she quickly added, “I’ve always been a Route 66» determined person. IfI set my mind to something, I’m going RV Park to do it.” At MHS, she was active in softball, basketball, student council and yearbook. She was football trainer for thee years. Jocelyn has been honored with the 2019 and 2020 5-County South from Pioneer enter to 3rd. Then East on 3rd to Main. South at Main to 7th. Map pro- vided by Elk City Public Schools. By Don Munsch, Editor parade because of the coronavirus pandemic. District of- The 2020 Elk City High School graduation ceremony ficials ask attendees to practice all social distancing guide- will be a parade with graduates that begins at 2 p.m. Sun- lines by staying in vehicles or staying at least 6 feet apart. day in Elk City, with with 3rd Street serving as the main thoroughfare. Groups larger than 10 are discouraged. Attendees may park on both sides of the parade route in The parade will be broadcast on KOOL 94.3 and Big parking lots and parking space, the Elk City school district Elk TV. Broadcast will begin around 1:43 p.m. with honor stated in a news release. The district opted for a graduation speeches, Summer classes at SWOSU campuses begin June 1 Neva Pyatt presents Ashley Wills with the Mother’s Day gift basket. Ashley Wills was submitted into our drawing that was held in partnership with some of our local business- Southwestern Oklahoma State University officials said Weatherford campus. Four-week classes are also offered in es. summer semester classes in Weatherford and Sayre will be- June and July with the deadline to enroll for June courses Businesses that contributed to the basket gin on June 1. being June | and the deadline for second four-week classes were United Supermarkets, Oak Creek Floral The summer classes will have fully virtual course deliv- being June 29. Shorter seminar courses are also offered. For & Gifts, Simon’s Catch, Broadway Flowers, ery, a news release stated. SWOSU classes in the fall will more information, access the SWOSU website for a com- Fred’s Steakhouse, Hylton’s Flowers, Boom- return to in-person classes. plete listing: https://selfservice.swosu.edu/Student/Courses town, Sno Way, Country Dove and Sonic. Staff Enrollment for the eight-week classes continues through Students can enroll through the Registrar’s Office on ei photo by D’Ann Brasuell. June 2, said registrar Shamus Moore, who works on the See Classes page 2. Weather Vol. 118, No. 39 Mail delivery View online ALAA A tomorrow 82 / 60 75 cents, 10 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com