SAND SPRINGS — The Sand Springs Board of Education on Monday was updated about the status of the school district’s state aid allocation.
“Typically, state aid allocation notices come mid-July. We haven't gotten ours yet, so we're a little bit on pins and needles. It is August the 4th and it's rare that we don't have those yet,” Superintendent Sherry Durkee said. “It was announced that the Trump administration has released federal funding. So, hopefully they're going to come soon. We have several employees tied up in those federal projects that are very intimately involving our kids and services to our children.”
In other matters, Durkee told the BOE that the 2025-2026 school year begins Aug. 20, with teachers reporting next week for duty.
“It is showtime. Teachers show up next Thursday for our opening assembly. So, super excited about the new year,” she said.
In other matters, the BOE approved a series of contracts including a contractual agreement with Eric Smith, Physical Therapist, to provide Physical Therapy evaluation and reevaluation services, and provide supervision to the District's Physical Therapy Assistant; a contractual agreement with Rehab Source for Kids to provide occupational therapy evaluation and reevaluation services, and provide supervision to the District's Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant; a contractual agreement with Cindy Lumpkin, dba Superior Vision Consulting (Teacher for the Visually Impaired) to provide Consultation and/or Direct Services to students with visual impairments as directed by the IEP (Individual Education Plan).
The BOE approved a Memorandum of Understanding/Collaborative agreement between the University of Oklahoma and Sand Springs Schools for Pre-ETS (Employment Transition Services) Programs for Special Education students.
Pre-ETS Activities assist Students with Documented Disability, ages 14-21, with resources to assist with transition from High School to Post-Secondary Training/ Education or Employment upon Graduation. Pre-ETS Activities will focus on Job Exploration, Work-based Learning, Workplace Readiness, Self-Advocacy, and Post-secondary Education Counseling.