At its regular monthly meeting Monday at the school administration building, Purcell’s Board of Education approved the purchase of a new bus and approved an emergency plan for the FEMA safe room at the junior high.

The bus will be a 77-passenger gasoline-powered bus from Ross Transportation for $150,135, which is the state contract price.

“It’s part of our fleet rotation,” superintendent Dr. Sheli McAdoo said.

The emergency plan is for the junior high FEMA Gym Emergency Operating Plan in conjunction with the City of Purcell.

In case the need to utilize the facility arises, Dr. McAdoo said the Purcell Police Department and a member of the fire department will actually open the gym for storm protection after the school “unclicks” the building.

The plan still needs the City of Purcell to sign off on the idea, Dr. McAdoo said.

The board approved a $10 raise for certified and non-certified substitute pay.  A certified substitute teacher will receive $85 a day and non-certified will receive $75 per day.

In her report to the board, Dr. McAdoo informed them of the cost of keeping the old junior high open is $38,000.

The district received a $118,000 Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment grant. The district recently distributed coats for kids along with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co.

Dr. McAdoo said the school received a $10,000 PE grant for the junior high.

The board heard a presentation on possible remodeling of the administration building including the potential of putting in a stage to make the cafeteria more of an auditorium type space.