Union Public Schools

Updated COVID-19 Response Plan Approved

Board members approved an updated ‘Return to School’ Plan for 2021-22, in response to declining Covid-19 infections and a growing number of vaccinated people.

The plan will be reviewed semi-annually while COVID-19 health concerns remain and as required by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). Under the plan, as of now, masks are optional for students and staff. Parents will continue to have the option of in-person or virtual learning for all grades K-12.

Parents, teachers, students, and members of the public are invited to read the updated plan here.

Architect Selected for Phase II Work at Union Innovation Lab

Board members approved the selection of Hollis + Miller for $84,122 for architectural design services related to the second phase of work planned at the Union Innovation Lab at 62nd and Mingo.

Hollis + Miller will assist with programming, design and construction administration of the Innovation Lab’s second phase of work. Improvements will include mechanical systems for dust control, walls and partitions to create instruction and meeting spaces, upgraded lighting and use space for robotics and construction classes.

The proposed budget for the project is $1.5 million.

Union Start/End Times for 2021-2022 Approved

The Board of Education approved changing the start and end times for school back to the same schedule as approved for last fall.

After school closures during the icy weather in February, Union increased the school day at elementary sites by nine minutes to make up for lost instructional time, explained Associate Superintendent Charlie Bushyhead. Secondary times were not affected last spring.

New Start and End Times

7:40 a.m. – 2:25 p.m. All Elementary Schools
8:10 a.m. – 3:11 p.m. High School
8:15 a.m. – 2:57 p.m. Union HS Freshman Academy
9:00 a.m. – 3:44 p.m. 8th Grade
9:05 a.m. – 3:47 p.m. 7th Grade
9:35 a.m. – 4:17 p.m. 6th Grade

Board Approves Several Contracts, Agreements

The Board of Education approved a variety of contracts and agreements as Union Public Schools finishes out this year and prepares for the new one, including the renewal of an agreement with Community Action Project of Tulsa County for early childhood services at the Rosa Parks Early Childhood Education Center.

The overarching goal of the early childhood program is to provide quality early education services and expand capacity to serve additional eligible low-income children through age four, Principal Alycia Pennington said. The Rosa Parks Early Childhood Education Center will provide services to 88 qualifying students (or four classrooms with 22 children) who turn three by September 1.

A related agreement approved by the Board also allows the school to serve 102 students (six classrooms with 17 children) who turn three by September 1 as part of a Head Start agreement with CAPTC.

Other routine contracts/agreements approved include:

Renewed contract with Digi Security Systems for $17,628 for monitoring services across the district.
Agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services for three school-based social workers for support and family needs. “We’ve been through the pandemic and the need is great,” said Scott Pennington, Director of Hope-Guidance-Social and Emotional Learning. “These new social workers will provide student and family support, connecting families to resources, behavioral and emotional support. We’ve divided the elementary school into three different groups. Secondary students will be served according to which elementary school they attended.”
A three-year software service agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc. for cloud hosting services for the Munis financial system in the amount of $655,906 from bond funds. “This will move us to a cloud-based solution, providing us with a higher level of data security,” said Chief Financial Officer Trish Williams. “We did a similar migration of the Kronos timekeeping system and we’ve been very pleased with that.” Union consulted with two other districts that implemented the system – one in Somerville, MA, and the other Norman Public Schools – and both said it’s been a smooth transition.
Renewed agreement with AmericanChecked for employee background check services.
Approved the expenditure of up to $750,000 to purchase textbooks and software for the new year.
Blanket agreements with various vendors for food, paper, chemical and produce bids for Child Nutrition.
Expenditure of up to $200,000 in Project Lead The Way instructional materials, such as kits and robotics hardware, for school sites for the new year.
Purchase of 114 pod printers from Standley System for $277,767. They will replace existing pod printers all school sites.
A three-year agreement with NoRedInk for an online web-based language learning platform for students in grades 6-12 to help them improve their writing and grammar skills.
Renewed software subscription with Mentoring Minds, L.P., for $59,942 for use in teacher-created assessments.