A full agenda awaited members of the Pryor Board of Education at the Monday, May 4, 2026, regular meeting. The meeting included support staff recognitions, a legislative update related to school funding, a Roosevelt Elementary campus report, and the first student board member report.
Support Employees Recognized
Building principals were present to introduce their nominees for Pryor Support Employee of the Year. During the presentations, Dr. Lisa Muller and Dr. Tiffany Ballard awarded each nominee with a certificate of appreciation.
Jeri Daily | Jefferson Elementary
Dr. Ballard introduced Jeri Daily, who was nominated by Jefferson staff for her engaging personality and kindness toward all.
Sheri Madole | Roosevelt Elementary
Roosevelt Principal Brian Bradshaw said that Administrative Assistant Sheri Madole, who has served the district for 17 years, is loved by all. He described her as “loyal to Roosevelt Elementary.”
Sheri Kennedy | Pryor Middle School
Pryor Middle School Principal Shawn Matheson described Kennedy as someone who asks what needs to be done and how she can help. He added Kennedy, a 20-year employee of the district, does not have “that’s not my job” in her vocabulary.”
Rebecca Anderson | Lincoln Elementary
Lincoln Principal Dr. Amber Wilkins recognized Teacher’s Aide Rebecca “Becca” Anderson, saying she embodies Lincoln’s “Eight Houses, One Family” spirit. Wilkins described Anderson, a Porta member, as someone “who is willing to help anyone with anything.”
Brandy Stone | Lincoln Early Childhood Center
Lincoln Early Childhood Center Principal Leanne Ballard recognized Paraprofessional Brandy Stone, saying she “goes above and beyond with a heart of joy.”
Ballard said Stone displays a dedicated work ethic and genuine love for students.
Trevin Helmuth | Transportation Department
Walt Taylor, Director of Transportation, said that District Mechanic Trevin Helmuth, who has served the district for 12 years, makes sure everything runs smoothly, gets done, and is safe for our staff and students.
“Not only is Trevin a co-worker, he is my friend and a tremendous asset to the District,” Taylor said.
Larry Foster | Maintenance Department
"“He has forgotten more than most of us will ever know,” said Maintenance Director David Stanley.
Stanley noted that Foster, who joined the district in 1983, continues to share his knowledge and skills with patience, helping teach and support his coworkers on the job.
Concluding the support staff recognition, Board President Fred Sordahl thanked the nominees for the important role they play across the district.
“We appreciate the effort you put in; you make us who we are,” Sordahl said.
Legislative Update
Superintendent Dr. Muller outlined State Question 844, scheduled to appear on the August 25, 2026, ballot, explaining effects on District funding.
The measure asks voters to amend the Oklahoma State Constitution. If approved, it would require the state legislature to create laws determining how much tax reimbursement would be provided and how those funds would be distributed to schools, county governments, cities and towns, emergency medical services, vocational-technical schools, junior colleges, county health departments, and libraries for property tax revenue lost through the manufacturing exemption for ad valorem taxes. Additionally, the measure states that the reimbursement amount would be included as part of the taxable property value when calculating how much debt a local government or taxing entity can take on.
If this measure is approved, it would remove the state’s current requirement to fully reimburse local taxing entities for property tax revenue lost through the manufacturing exemption. Instead, the Legislature would decide how much money to provide for reimbursement and how that money would be shared among taxing entities.
Because school districts receive the largest portion of the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund, changes to the law will affect districts across the state.
If the amount of ad valorem, or property tax, reimbursement is reduced, school districts would receive less money for three major funding accounts: the general fund, building fund, and sinking fund.
A reduction in the general fund would affect money used to pay staff, support student programs, and cover operating expenses. A reduction in the building fund would affect a district’s ability to pay utilities, make maintenance repairs, and address safety needs.
The sinking fund is the account school districts use to pay long-term bond debt. Bond payments are based on a district’s net assessed property value.
If that value drops because a district receives less money from the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund, the sinking fund could come up short. By law, that shortfall would have to be made up the following year through higher property taxes for property owners within the school district.
After that increase, property taxes could remain higher than originally projected for the rest of the bond term in order to make up for the continued loss of ad valorem revenue.
Dr. Muller also noted that some school districts across the state do not currently receive state aid because of the amount of ad valorem reimbursement funding they receive. This is commonly referred to as being “off the formula.” If property tax/ad valorem reimbursement payments were significantly reduced, some of those districts could be added back into the pool of districts receiving state funding. With the ad valorem tax being divided among a larger number of districts, funding for individual school districts could decrease.
Recognition of Former Board Member
The Board also recognized former board member Brandon Perry with a plaque in appreciation for his years of service to Pryor Public Schools.
Dr. Muller expressed her appreciation and told Perry he would be missed, adding, “You made a difference.”
Perry said he was grateful for his time on the Board and appreciated the Board’s approach to decision-making, describing it as a process built on respectful discussion considering all viewpoints.
Roosevelt Elementary Campus Update
Roosevelt Principal Brian Bradshaw updated the Board, highlighting the progress being made at Roosevelt Elementary.
Bradshaw emphasized the importance of staff and school culture. He said that hiring the right people is crucial to building and maintaining a positive school.
“Our teachers are making the difference,” Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw also highlighted student leadership at Roosevelt, sharing that the school offers students more than 100 leadership roles. Several of those roles include opportunities for public speaking, which builds student confidence. As examples, Bradshaw described the success of the Fostering Mayes County sock collection and the district trading cards projects. Bradshaw noted the high level of parent involvement at Roosevelt strengthens the school.
Student Board Member Report
New on the agenda for May was the addition of the student board member report.
Student board members Vansh Chauhan and Brinlee England, sophomores at Pryor High School, updated the Board on events at the high school. They shared student praise for the recent Sound of Music musical and raised student questions regarding the valedictorian speech policy for graduation.
The students also reported that PHS Leadership students are scheduled to meet their fourth-grade pen pals. Leadership students are also scheduled to visit fifth-grade students to discuss dealing with peer pressure.
Additionally, PHS Innovation students are currently working on building hovercrafts using commercially available parts from Lowe’s.