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Board of Education

Board of Education

The Great Plains Technology Center Board of Education meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the Month at 6 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. The Great Plains Technology Center Board of Education consists of five elected members.

For more information, please use any forms of the communications below.

Call: 580-355-6371

Walk-in or Postal:
Great Plains Technology Center
4500 SW Lee Blvd.
Lawton, OK 73505

Contact Form: Contact Us

  • Zone 1 - Homer Ryan - Deputy Clerk
  • Zone 2 - George Bridges, Jr. D.D.S - Member
  • Zone 3 - Clark Smith - President
  • Zone 4 - Arthur Patrick - Vice-President
  • Zone 5 - Cindy Sheppard, D.D.S. - Clerk
  • Stacy Pifer – Administrative Assistant/Treasurer/Minutes Clerk

Board Bios

Dr. Bridges is the senior member of the Great Plains Technology Center Board of Education. He was first elected in 1976. He practiced dentistry in Lawton since leaving the service of the U.S. Army in the mid 1970’s. He is an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. Dr. Bridges is active in many local and statewide philanthropic organizations. He also serves as President of the Great Plains Technology Center Foundation.

Patrick was appointed to the GPTC Board when Dr. Nathan Grantham resigned in 2009. Patrick was elected in 2010 to fill out the remaining three years of Dr. Grantham’s term. He has served as general manager of Lawton Communications for more than 30 years. As a high school student in 1974 and 1975, Patrick attended Great Plains electronics program. He graduated from Cameron University. Patrick has served on the board of directors for Marie Detty Youth Services and the Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation.

Ryan is a Tillman County farmer-rancher and businessman. He attended Southwestern State University on a football scholarship. He graduated from Southwestern with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Ryan was the John Deere dealer in Frederick, OK and Wichita Falls, TX for nearly 30 years. He enjoys playing a significant role each year in the Tillman County Junior Livestock Show. He has served on the Great Plains Board since 2005.

Smith has served on the Board of Education since 1987. He is a leader and active volunteer within the Lawton-Fort Sill Arts Community. He is an avid photographer having served as a past president of the Wichita Mountain Wild Light Society. Smith is also an active outdoorsman. He is president of Smith and Son’s Insurance Agency, Inc., as Independent Insurance Lawton agency.

Dr. Sheppard has served on the Great Plains Technology Center Board of education since January 2024. She practices dentistry in Lawton, first with her husband and now with her son. She has 3 grown children that attended Lawton Public Schools, and all were National Merit Finalists. She has served on the board of the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra and the board of directors for Marie Detty Youth Services. She enjoys quilting and sewing in her free time. 

Board Agenda

The Great Plains Technology Center logo features blue text.

Board Meeting Agenda - June 29, 2026

Board Meeting Appendix A - June 29, 2026

Board Meeting Appendix B - June 29, 2026

 

 

  • School District No. 9
    Regular Board Meeting
    Building 100, Prairie Room, 4500 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505
    Monday, June 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM

     

    1. Prayer

    2. Call to order

    3. Introduction of guests

    4. Consent Agenda:

    a. Minutes of June 2, 2026 regular board meeting.

    b. Approval of FY26 General Fund Encumbrances for June 2026: #3018-3055 in the amount of $68,891.14 and Payroll #50290-50306 in the amount of $7,827.12; General Fund Change Orders in the amount of -$533,219.45.

    c. Approval of FY26 Building Fund Encumbrances for June 2026: #147-149 in the amount of $150,125.00; Building Fund Change Orders in the amount of -$14,863.70.

    d. Approval of FY27 General Fund Encumbrances for July 2026: #1-288 in the amount of $3,003,952.97 and Payroll #50000-50162 in the amount of $14,527,713.63.

    e. Approval of FY27 Building Fund Encumbrances for July 2026: #1-288 in the amount of $274,235.00 and Payroll #50000-50019 in the amount of $1,332,440.93.

    f. Activity Fund Overview for June 2026.

    g. Transfer of Activity Funds for June 2026.

    h. Public Surplus.

    i. Approve Clinical Rotation Agreement between Great Plains Technology Center and Ayers Nursing Home. 

    j. Approve Clinical Affiliation Agreement between Great Plains Technology Center and Altus Emergency Medical Services/Altus Fire - Emergency Medical Services.

    k. Approve the FY27 Marketing and Communications Plan and Brand Style Guide.

    l. Approve Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens and Tuberculosis for FY27.

    m. Approve Great Plains Technology Center Student Handbook for FY27.

    n. Approve FY27 Emergency Management Plans for Lawton and Frederick campuses.

    o. Approve Goodyear Industrial Maintenance Trainee Program Policies and Procedures Handbook for FY27.

    p. Approve Goodyear Industrial Maintenance Internship Program Policies and Procedures Handbook for FY27.

    q. Approve FY27 Handbooks for the following programs:
    Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Firefighter Training Academy
    Nursing Services
    Combination Welding
    Online Academics Guide
    Paramedic
    Surgical Technologist
    Practical Nursing

    r. Approve additions/modifications to the Great Plains Technology Center Board Policy & Procedure Manual:

    1. Section 3 Policies regarding:
    Procurement
    Purchasing Card
    School Closure
    Activity Funds
    Employee Fundraising
    Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Guidelines
    Great Plains Technology Center Scholarships
    Special Events
    Business Development Center Services
    Sales Tax Exemption and Personal Purchase (NEW Policy)
    Activity Fund Violations (NEW Policy)
    Violation of Purchasing Policies (NEW Policy)

    2. Section 5 Policies regarding:
    Inventories

    3. Section 6 Policies regarding:
    Employee Leave
    Fair Labor Standards Act Compliance
    Leave Summary Table
    Professional Development
    Sick Leave Sharing
    Testing Employees with Regard to the Use of Alcohol and Illegal Chemical Substances
    Tuition Reimbursement, Tuition Waiver and Payment of Testing Fees Required for Certification and Licenses

    4. Section 7 Policies Regarding:
    Evaluation of Professional Staff
    Resignation of Certified Personnel
    Suspension, Dismissal and NonReemployment of Instructors

    5. Section 8 Policies Regarding:
    Probationary Period
    Reduction in Force of Support Personnel

    6. Section 9 Policies Regarding:
    Student Records
    Notification of Rights Under FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
    Document Retention

    7. Section 10 Policies Regarding:
    Assessments
    Enrollment for Those Convicted of Felonies
    Minor Student Residency
    Adult Student Behavior
    Secondary Student Behavior
    Secondary Student Suspensions (Out-of-school)
    Gun-Free Schools Secondary Student Suspension
    Student Bullying
    Student Possession of Dangerous Weapons
    Testing Students with Regard to the Use of Alcohol and Illegal Chemical Substances
    Students, Drugs, and Alcohol
    Student Search and Seizure
    Administration of Medication to Minor Students
    Student Diabetes Care and Management
    Student Grades
    Work-Based Learning
    Live Work
    Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSO)
    Virtual, Hybrid, and Distance Instruction
    Secondary Class Field Trips
    Suicide Awareness, Training, and Prevention
    Transgender and NonBinary Student Records
    Student Mental Health Crisis Protocol
    Tuition Payment Policy and Procedures for Full Time Programs - Short Term Programs

    8. Section 11 Policies Regarding:
    Grievance Procedure for Filing, Processing and Resolving Complaints Alleging Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation

    s. Approve FY27 Purchase Order 73 to Lawton Communications in the sum of $2,385.00.

     

     

     

     

     

    5. Public Comment
    This is an open, public meeting held in accordance with the Open Meeting Laws of the State of Oklahoma.  The purpose of this meeting is to conduct the business of the Great Plains Technology Center.  As elected representatives of the voters and patrons of the Center, the members of the Board of Education will be making decisions concerning the operation of the District.  The agenda for Regular Meetings includes an opportunity for the public to address any item appearing on the agenda. Members of the public wishing to speak must sign in with the Clerk of the Board fifteen (15) minutes prior to the convening of the Board meeting.  Statements to the Board by the public are limited to no more than three (3) minutes per speaker.  The Board reserves the right to limit repetitive comments, comments unrelated to the business of the Board, or the total amount of time dedicated to public comment in a single evening.  Board members will not respond to questions or comments during public communications, but the Board President may refer matters of concern to the Superintendent for review and recommendations.

    6. Treasurer's report - Stacy Pifer

    7. Director of Finance report - Lindsey Billen

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the 2026-2027 preliminary budget. 

    b. Discussion and possible board action on issuing a one-time longevity stipend.

    c. Discussion and possible board action on approving the activity fund sub-accounts for FY27.

    d. Discussion and possible board action on payment of various county visual inspection fees for FY27.

    e. Discussion and possible board action to open a blanket purchase order for fuel purchases for FY27.

    f. Discussion and possible board action on changing the name of the Pre-Engineering Activity Fund to the Applied Engineering and Drafting Activity Fund.

    g. Discussion and possible board action to identify Great Plains Technology Center's Purchasing Agent, Receiving Agent, Treasurer, Activity Fund Custodian, Activity Fund Bookkeeper, Deputy Treasurer, Encumbrance Clerk, and Deputy Encumbrance Clerk for fiscal year 2027.

    8. Director of Marketing and Communications report - Teresa Abram

    9. Director of Human Resources report - Valerie Anderson
    (Presented by James Bishop)

    a. Discussion and possible board action on legal services with Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold for FY27.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on legal services with Steven R Robinson, Attorney at Law PLLC for FY27.

     

     

    10. Director of Instructional Services report - Brandon Mayer
    (Presented by James Bishop)

    a. Discussion and possible board action to approve the cost sheet for the Practical Nursing Distance Education Program for FY27.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on the High School Cosmetology Cost Sheet for Post-Secondary Student Returners.

    11. Director of Instruction report - James Bishop

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the purchase of Nursing Central reference material from Unbound Medicine.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on the purchase of test preparation curriculum for Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) students.

    12. Director of Instruction report - Blake Thomas
    (Presented by Justin McNeil)

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the purchase of automotive service equipment for the Automotive Service Technician program using Carl Perkins Grant Funds.

    13. Director of Information Technology report - Bill Matthey

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the purchase of Cisco SmartNet Support Renewal for FY27.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on the renewal of support and subscriptions for Sonis Student Management System and Izenda Reporting.

    14. Superintendent's report - Joelle Jolly

    a. Next regular board meeting is August 11, 2026.

    15. New Business: New business refers to any matter not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of posting of the agenda.  Okla. Stat. tit. 25, Sec. 311(A)(9).

    16. Proposed executive session to discuss:

    a. Discussion on resignation of Katlyn Teague, Trade and Industry Program Teaching Assistant, effective June 15, 2026.
    b. Discussion on resignation of Gary Tyler, Economic Development Coordinator (Part-Time), effective June 30, 2026.
    c. Discussion on employment of candidate as Part-Time Food Service Worker for FY27.
    d. Discussion on employment of candidate as Workforce and Economic Development (WED) Coordinator (Evening) for FY27.
    e. Discussion on employment of part-time personnel and part-time Workforce and Economic Development (WED) personnel for FY27 as listed on Appendix A and B so the board can return to open session to vote on employment matters discussed. 
     

    Executive session authority: 25 Okla. Stat. Sec. 307(B)(1).

    17. Vote to convene in executive session

    18. Acknowledge board's return to open session

    19. Statement of executive session minutes

    20. Action Items

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the resignation of Katlyn Teague, Trade and Industry Program Teaching Assistant, effective June 15, 2026.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on the resignation of Gary Tyler, Economic Development Coordinator (Part-Time), effective June 30, 2026.

    c. Discussion and possible board action on the employment of candidate as Part-Time Food Service Worker for FY27.

    d. Discussion and possible board action on the employment of candidate as Workforce and Economic Development (WED) Coordinator (Evening) for FY27.

    e. Discussion and possible board action on the employment of part-time personnel and part-time Workforce and Economic Development (WED) personnel as listed on Appendix A and B for FY27.

    21. Vote to adjourn




    The agenda was posted in the front entry of Building 100 on the Lawton campus and on the school district's website on June 26, 2026 before 8:00 AM.



    Attested by: Stacy Pifer, Board of Education Minutes Clerk