The Muskogee Way - December 2022

2 Table of Contents Dr. Jarod Mendenhall.................................3 Letter from the Superintendent A New Tradition..........................................4 The Opening of Rougher Village and Program Success District News..............................................6 Highlights Across the District Muskogee Teacher of the Year.................8 Creek’s Mrs. Jennifer Schuler Site Educators of the Year.......................10 MPS 2022 Outstanding Educators Bond Update..............................................12 Grant Foreman, MHS, and Sadler Arts Academy District Profile..........................................14 Student Population, Enrollment, and More District Leadership...................................15 Board of Education and Administrative Team Table of Contents

Letter from the Superintendent

Greetings,

It is hard to believe that we are closing out the first semester of the 2022-2023 school year. As you will see in this edition of TheMuskogeeWay, it has been a magical season for the Rougher Nation as established programs reach new heights and new academic offerings position our students for greater success.

This year we began a new tradition as our students took the field at Rougher Village. Excitement was at an all-time high with this facility setting the tone for student and community engagement. The students competing, performing, and participating each Friday night committed themselves to excellence and dedicated countless hours to be the pride of their school and their hometown. We are proud of their accomplishments this season.

As I consider what has brought us to this moment, I am reminded of the overwhelming support our community showed us in October 2019 when voters passed the largest bond issue ($110 million) in the district’s history. We are now seeing many of those projects being completed. Over the past few years, Muskogee Public Schools has undergone a transformational district-wide change that is positively impacting our students and their families. It’s always a great day to be a Rougher!

On behalf of the entire district, I want to say how proud I am. I will never forget the feeling of inspiration and pride that our students, teachers, and staff have brought to this community. There is a spirit of excellence that can even be seen beyond Rougher Nation. I am proud to be your superintendent and I want to say thank you for a great fall semester!

Jarod Mendenhall, Ed.D. Superintendent Muskogee Public Schools

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Best Regards,

EVERY HEART... EVERY MIND... EVERY DAY - THE MUSKOGEE WAY!

Muskogee High School Varsity Football Opens Rougher Village With Winning Season

Muskogee High School varsity football opened Rougher Village on September 2, 2022 with a victory over Putnam City for the first ever competition at the new high school field. The Roughers went 6-1 in district play and 10-2 overall for the season earning a bye week in the first round of playoffs before beating Ponca City 18-0 in the second round of playoffs. The Roughers fell to Choctaw in the state 6A-II semi finals. The culmination of the season marks a complete turn around from last season and the program’s winningest season since 2016.

The Pride of Muskogee Rougher Regiment Reaches New Heights

The marching band experienced a turnaround year competing at the Branson Marching Invitational Contest placing first in class, first in color guard, first in visual effect in their class. The Rougher Regiment made it to a finals appearance earning a 6th place ranking out of 21 bands. The band also competed in the North Central Iowa Invitational earning top ranks including best in class and best overall and the Broken Arrow Invitational. The Mayor of Muskogee named October 27, 2022 “Rougher Regiment Day” issuing a formal City of Muskogee Proclamation.

In November, the band accepted the invitation to march in the 2023 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The college bowl game, which pits the Southeast Conference with the Big 12, is played between Christmas and New Year’s Day in Memphis, Tennessee.

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ROUGHER VILLAGE

Opening of Rougher Village

On September 2, 2022 the Roughers hosted Putnam City for the first ever competition at the new high school field for the home season opener at Rougher Village. The state-ofthe-art facility is a student-focused amenity and has seen more than 400 students participate in each home football game this season including students competing and performing in football, cheer, dance, band, and AFJROTC along with the student body yell team cheering from the stands.

Rougher Village is home to the high school football field and multi-use arena. The facility was a flagship project of the bond proposal recommended by the Muskogee Public Schools long range planning committee, set forth by the board of education and passed by a supermajority citizen vote.

Hosting the OSSAA East Regional Band Contest

Muskogee High School hosted 13 bands and nearly 2,000 students for the OSSAA East Regional Band Contest in October. The event took place on the new high school field at Rougher Village. Hosting the OSSAA East Regional Band Contest at Rougher Village came three years to the month after the passing of the historic 2019 bond.

Community Impact

As a regional destination, Rougher Village will serve to attract area and state-wide events to Muskogee which positively impacts tourism and the local economy. The facility will host school events and community events with the capacity to host regional competitions and tournaments.

“To me, the inaugural game with the new stadium really tells me that the students are worth it. The students are worth having the best of the best.”

-Attie Jamison, MHS Senior

DISTRICT NEWS

42 Students Accepted Into Muskogee’s Early College High School Program

Muskogee Public Schools Early College High School program accepted 42 students for its inaugural cohort. The students, 29 freshman and 13 sophomores, began an accelerated learning track this semester in partnership with Connors State College. ECHS will allow students to graduate with a High School Diploma from Muskogee High School and an Associate’s Degree from Connors State College at no cost to the student.

Students were selected based upon their ability to persist in the program. The selection process consisted of a written application, essay, and interview. Applicant grades, attendance records, and discipline reports were also considered.

Sagely Honored with $2,500 Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Grant

Creek Elementary Principal Andrea Sagely was honored at the Tulsa Flight Night Gala in September. She was awarded a $2,500 grant from the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance to advance STEM education. Sagely was one of four recipients recognized during the event which took place at the Riverside Airport on the campus of Tulsa Technology Center.

Sagely initiated the “Watch Us Grow” theme at Creek Elementary for this school year. In partnership with the Oklahoma State University Extension Office in Muskogee County, the school has cultivated a 1,400 square foot teaching and learning garden. Funds from the grant will go to support this initiative along with the creation of an after-school STEM program named Club Invention.

MHS Air Force JROTC Ranks Third in State Color Guard Tournament

Muskogee High School Air Force JROTC brought home the first trophy in over 20 years from the Oklahoma State Color Guard Tournament. Composed of an all-female team, the MHS single gender team placed third in the state during the competition. The team included Zeta Moore, An Nguyen, JoAnn Sheppard, and Kierra Washington

Eight MHS cadets across two teams competed in the tournament which took place in Oklahoma City and was hosted by the Oklahoma JROTC Drill Team Championship Committee. In total, 16 teams from five public school districts participated in the tournament.

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MHS AFJROTC Cadets pose with their trophy. Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance presents check.

78 MPS Students Represent Muskogee in Eastern District Honor Choir

Top singers from area schools performed in the Eastern District Honor Choir concert on Tuesday, October 18 at Boulevard Christian Church in Muskogee. Several hundred choral students throughout the region auditioned for the honor choir in September. Muskogee Public Schools was represented by 78 students across the fifth through twelfth grades from Muskogee High School, 8th and 9th Grade Academy, 6th and 7th Grade Academy and Sadler Arts Academy.

MPS Participates in County-wide Manufacturing Day

More than 400 Muskogee Public School students at the 8th and 9th Grade Academy at Alice Robertson participated in Manufacturing Day on Tuesday, October 18. The event was part of a county-wide effort in partnership with the Port of Muskogee and area manufacturers. Students completed a simulated activity where they designed, built, and took a product to market.

The activity demonstrated the wide range of skilled and professional jobs that are available within manufacturing. In addition to the activity, the experience built connections between students, educators, and industry professionals. Students were also introduced to post-secondary educational pathways to various jobs in manufacturing.

MHS Launches New Teacher Cadet Program

Muskogee High School is training the next generation of teachers. This school year, MHS launched a teacher cadet program aimed at eventually filling a critical teaching gap in Oklahoma. Led by high school teacher, Chetan Munsell, the inaugural class has 14 students.

The full-year course is offered to junior and senior level students. The class incorporates classroom learning, field observation, and facilitates hands-on learning at school sites throughout the district.

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Mr. Munsell speaks about the new program with members of the news media. Students develop a concept for Manufacturing Day. Members of the MHS Choir pose for a photo.

DISTRICT NEWS

Crawley Named OASA District 10 Assistant Superintendent of the Year

Lance Crawley was named the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators District 10 Assistant Superintendent of the Year. District 10 consists of schools within McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee, and Wagoner counties. The award is voted upon by members of the Oklahoma Association of School Administrators within that region. Mr. Crawley has 30 years of experience in Oklahoma Public Schools and nearly 20 years as an administrator within public education. He joined MPS in June 2019 and has oversight of the district’s finance, federal programs, operations, maintenance, transportation, child nutrition, and technology departments.

Kim Fleak Returns to Muskogee High School as Principal

Kim Fleak returns to the high school this school year having most recently served as Executive Director of Student Services and previously serving as Executive Director of Human Resources for the district. Prior to serving as a district administrator, she was the Principal of Muskogee High School, a role she held since 2017. Fleak spent 11 years at the Muskogee Alternative Program as a teacher, Dean of Students and in 2003 was named Principal before assuming the same position at Harris Jobe Elementary. In her five years at Harris Jobe, Fleak implemented Literacy First, a literacy framework that has been adopted district-wide. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in School Administration from Northeastern State University.

MPS Names Brandon Irby as Director of Communications and Marketing

Irby joined MPS from Rogers State University in Claremore where he served as Director of Communications and Marketing since 2019. Under his guidance, RSU transitioned the Office of Public Relations to the Office of Communications and Marketing expanding services and growing the team to elevate and advance awareness of the university’s impact throughout northeast Oklahoma. At MPS he is responsible for brand management, advertising, media relations, public relations, and crisis communications. Irby holds a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication at RSU and is pursuing a Master of Science in Media Management with an emphasis in Public Administration through Arkansas State University.

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Muskogee Public Schools Teacher of the Year JENNIFER SCHULER

Creek Elementary’s Jennifer Schuler was named the 2022 Muskogee Public Schools District Teacher of the Year during the annual Superintendent’s Awards Banquet.

“My goal as an educator is simple, to give each student the tools they need to be successful and thrive and the results can be amazing,” said Schuler.

A graduate of Muskogee High School, Mrs. Schuler joined MPS in 2009 as a kindergarten teacher at Whittier Elementary, she joined Creek Elementary in 2011 as a first-grade teacher, and in 2013 moved into her current role as a kindergarten teacher at Creek.

Mrs. Schuler earned an Associate’s Degree from Connors State College in 2007 and graduated from Northeastern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education in 2009.

She and her husband Jeremy have been married for 26 years and have two daughters, Haley and Riley. Haley is a graduate of Northeastern State and is currently pursuing Occupational Therapy. Riley is a Psychology and Criminal Justice major at Northeastern State.

Mrs. Schuler enjoys spending time with her family, tending to her flower beds, shopping, and traveling.

Mrs. Schuler is handed the keys to the Teacher of the Year car by MPS

the beginning of the year providing encouragement and inspiration.

Superintendent Dr. Jarod Mendenhall following Convocation. Mrs. Schuler spoke to all educators and support staff at

MPS Educators of the Year

Overview

The 2019 bond includes 13 projects at school sites throughout the district. To date, seven bond construction projects have been completed, three projects are currently underway, and three are on deck. All projects remain on schedule to be completed by the end of 2023.

The 2019 bond proposal was recommended by the Muskogee Public Schools long range planning committee, set forth by the board of education, and passed by a supermajority vote of the citizens.

Grant Foreman

Renovations at Grant Foreman have enhanced learning environments throughout the site. A complete interior and exterior renovation has left the site bright and fresh. Upgrades to technology along with a secure front vestibule made the site ready for first the day of school this year. Grant Foreman is the home of Sadler Arts Academy for this school year while construction at the Samuel L. Sadler school site is underway.

Rougher Village

Rougher Village includes the new high school stadium, press box, and multi-use arena. The stadium debuted on September 2 for the Muskogee High School varsity football season home opener. In October, MHS hosted 13 bands and nearly 2,000 students for the OSSAA East Regional Band Contest. Completion of the arena is scheduled for the end of December 2022. The first varsity basketball game to be hosted in the new arena is scheduled for January 13. The arena will house football and basketball locker rooms and training facilities, staff offices, and the Rougher Spirit Store. The facility will host

varsity basketball, school events, and community events with the capacity to host regional competitions and tournaments.

Muskogee High School

In addition to construction at the Rougher Village stadium and arena, renovations to the Fine Arts area of Muskogee High School and the construction of a new main entry are underway. The new entrance to the high school will face the Shawnee Bypass and will be easily recognized by visitors. The entrance will house the main reception area and administrative offices. Dedicated visitor parking is being added and the entry way will feature brick columns with steel accents that match the architectural details of Rougher Village and Muskogee’s downtown district.

Sadler Arts Academy

Construction at Sadler Arts Academy began earlier this semester. The building will undergo a complete renovation to fully modernize the site while honoring its legacy. Demolition has been completed and the rebuilding of the site is underway. Anticipated completion is Summer 2023.

GRANT FOREMAN

ROUGHER VILLAGE

For more info visit www.muskogeeps.org/2019bond

LONGRANGEPLANNINGCOMMITTEE

The Muskogee Public Schools Long Range Planning Committee consists of community stakeholders chosen by board members and the superintendent to serve as representatives of the district to make a formal recommendations regarding, land acquisition, boundary changes, grade configuration, and bond referendums. The following are members of the committee:

Aanje Wilkerson

Alyson Madewell

Amy Pool

Angela Wilson

Bethany Bowline

Brian Doerner

David Eaton

Dennis Wilhite

Derryl Venters

Dr. Edwyna Synar

Elizabeth Ross

Gina Batie

Ginger James

Heidi Watson

James Platter

Jana Dunlap

Jay Updike

John Barton

John Cruz

Julie Elgin

Julie Watson Ledbetter

Karra Wardour

Kim Fleak

Kristi Hoos

Lisa Yahola

Dr. Marlon J. Coleman

Markeus D. Moore

Perline Boyattia

Reggie Cotton

Rory Lynch

Suzie Buck

Toya Tate

Tracy Cole

14 Quick Facts ABOUT STUDENTS STAFF SCHOOLS BUDGET / FINANCE MUSKOGEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Student Population Total....................................................................4841 Early Childhood Center(Pre-K) ..............................................276 Elementary Schools (K-5).................................................2191 6th & 7th Grade Academy...................................................666 8th & 9th Grade Academy...................................................728 High School (10-12)............................................................980 Population by Ethnicity American Indian..............................................................527 Asian................................................................25 Black.......................................................................873 Caucasian/White/Other..........................................1227 Hispanic.........................................................877 Multi-Racial....................................................1310 Pacific Islander....................................................................2 Graduation Rate Class of 2022...................................................................95% Average Daily Attendance District...................................................................92.6% Early Childhood Center (Pre-K).........................................89.8% Elementary (K-5)..........................................................94.4% 6th & 7th Grade Academy................................................91.7% 8th & 9th Grade Academy................................................91.4% High School.................................................................90.9% Limited English Proficiency ELL Students...................................................................449 Bilingual Students............................................................582 Certified Superintendent ....................................................................1 Deputy Superintendent ...........................................................1 Asst. Superintendent .............................................................1 Classroom Teachers...........................................................278 National Board Certified Teachers.............................................8 School Principals.................................................................12 Asst. / House Principals..........................................................8 Librarians / Media Specialists.................................................8 Counselors..................................................................11 Speech Pathologist................................................................8 American Speech Language Association of Speech Pathologist .........1 Instructional Specialist / Reading Specialist ..............................12 Directors / Coordinators .......................................................15 Deans / Life Coaches ...............................................................9 Education Diagnostician .........................................................1 Certified Monitors ................................................................2 Nurse.........................................................................4 Support Directors / Coordinators..........................................................4 Public Relations...................................................................2 Business Services...............................................................16 Permanent Substitute............................................................3 Fab Lab...............................................................................1 Behavior Specialist...............................................................8 Athletic Trainer.....................................................................1 Transportation........................................................29 Maintenance....................................................................15 Technology............................................................5 Custodians..............................................................22 Warehouse................................................................6 Food Servers.....................................................................38 Drill School.........................................................................2 Police / Security....................................................................9 Teacher Asst. / Paraprofessionals............................................46 School Office Staff...............................................................25 Family/School Liaison...........................................................4 Interpreter...................................................................1 Guidance.................................................................2 Other..................................................................12 Elementary Schools Cherokee Elementary Creek Elementary Irving Elementary Pershing Elementary Sadler Arts Academy Tony Goetz Elementary Early Childhood Center Muskogee ECC 6th & 7th Grade Academy @ Ben Franklin 8th & 9th Grade Academy @ Alice Robertson High Schools Muskogee High School Rougher Innovation Academy Rougher Alternative Academy 2022-2023 Budget...............................................$51,081,586 Net Assessed Valuation.....................................$302,099,342 State Aid Allocation 2022-2023.............................$16,859,760 Updated October 2022. For more info visit www.muskogeeps.org » The district spans 133 square miles across Muskogee County. » There are 12 school sites including the early childhood center, 6 elementary schools, 6th & 7th grade site, 8th & 9th grade site and three high school sites. Student Services » MPS provides both a free breakfast and lunch for every student. » MPS provides laptops and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for every K-12 student as part of our district’s 1:1 initiative » MPS buses approximately 2600 students daily, including 2 ECC routes, 3 Special Needs routes, and 18 Regular Education routes