Geary School Board Approves Remodel of Greenfield Staff Housing

GEARY – The Geary School Board met for its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 1, discussing various items including the district’s tobacco policy, staff housing, and potential future facilities construction.

Board members Afton Jameson, Cecil Harrall and Jason Bernhardt attended the meeting; Lou Richey was absent. Superintendent Sean Buchanan was also there to weigh in, as were campus principals Christa Burns and Joy Osborne.

For some time, the board has been discussing the need to renovate a Greenfield property owned by the district for the purpose of staff housing. On Monday, the board voted to award Lopez Construction & Design, a Weatherfordbased firm, the contract to fix up the property.

Having nearby housing will help the district attract staffers and reduce commutes, the board believes. It also discussed the possibility of purchasing additional housing in the area for the same purpose.

A community survey recently administered by the district shows broad support for the idea, Buchanan told the board.

Picking up on another subject from a previous meeting, Buchanan asked the board for guidance on how its tobaccofree policy should be enforced among staffers. Some staff had requested to smoke near the school or in their vehicles, but board members agreed that neither should be allowed if the staff remains on school property during that time.

Under state law, tobacco use is prohibited in any form while on school grounds or during school-sponsored functions off campus.

Buchanan agreed, saying his foremost responsibility is to ensure the district is complying with the law.

School construction

After a community meeting and tentative discussions about how to proceed with school facility renovation or construction, Buchanan told the board he thinks a logical next step would be to have the administration and community meet with several different architectural firms to discuss their respective visions.

“What you’ll notice about all of these firms … they have worked with communities like ours,” Buchanan said, citing projects in towns like Hinton, Hydro and Minco. His suggestion was “to have these groups come out” and “just visit with us about our community, and kind of what we’re looking to accomplish.”

The board agreed to have Buchanan set up feeling-out meetings with the firms.

The Geary School Board will meet again on Monday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.