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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 - August 11, 2026

  • School District No. 9
    Regular Board Meeting
    Building 100, Prairie Room, 4500 SW Lee Blvd, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505
    Monday, August 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM

     

    1. Prayer - Brandon Mayer

    2. Call to order

    3. Introduction of guests

    4. Consent Agenda:

    a. Approve Minutes of June 29, 2026 regular board meeting.

    b. Approval of FY26 General Fund Change Orders in the amount of -$112,651.16.

    c. Approval of FY26 Building Fund Change Orders in the amount of -$1,343,146.79.

    d. Approval of FY27 General Fund Encumbrances for July 2026: #289-665 in the amount of $1,719,710.55 and Payroll #50163-50200 in the amount of $15,964.05; General Fund Change Orders in the amount of $14,614,436.50.

    e. Approval of FY27 Building Fund Encumbrances for July 2026: #68-88 in the amount of $1,369,611.36; Building Fund Change Orders in the amount of $1,344,596.48.

    f. Approve Activity Fund Summary for June and July 2026.

    g. Approve Transfer of Activity Funds for June and July 2026.

    h. Approve Public Surplus.

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

    1. Section 5 Policies
    - Use of Technology Center Facilities
    - Sale of Technology Center Surplus Property
    - Use of School Vehicles Other Than Regular Transportation of Students
    - Inventories
    - Advertising in District Media and at District Facilities

    Section 6 Policies
    - Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation and Trafficking
    - Employee Leave
    - (NEW) Employment of Retired TRS (Teachers' Retirement System) Members
    - Salary Schedules

    Section 9 Policies
    - Open Records

    Section 12 Policies
    - Technology Center Personnel Digital and Electronic Communications with Students

    j. Approval of Agreements, Handbooks, Memorandums of Understanding.

    1. Business Development Center (BDC) Handbook Updates

    2. Memorandum of Understanding - Memorial System of Southwest Oklahoma

    3. Memorandum of Understanding - Memorial Health System of Southwest Oklahoma

    4. Memorandum of Understanding - MIGHT Community Development and Resource Center Partnership

    5. Clinical Rotation Agreement and Preceptorship Agreement with the Oklahoma Veterans Center, Lawton/Fort Sill Division.

    k. Approve FY27 Building Fund Purchase Order #86 to Lawton Communications LLC in the amount of $500.00 and FY26 Change Orders in the amount of $2,259.00.

    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. Information Only: Demolition/Renovation Update on the Property at 6501 West Gore Boulevard — Ryan Herring Construction, Inc.

    7. Information Only: Roof Repairs Update — Jeff Jung with Ford Roofing and Sheet Metal Co.

    8. Information Only: YIELD Program Presentation — Thomas McCarthy

    9. Treasurer's report - Stacy Pifer

    10. Director of Finance report - Lindsey Billen

    a. Information Only: Gore Project Funding Update

    b. Discussion and possible board action on the addition of a new fundraiser.

    c. Discussion and possible board action on purchasing time clocks from Touchpoint Industries.

    11. Director of Marketing and Communications report - Teresa Abram

    12. Tillman/Kiowa County Campus Director's report - Ken McKee

    13. Director of Human Resources report - Valerie Anderson

    a. Discussion and possible board action to approve adjustments/revisions to the FY27 Pay Scale.

    b. Discussion and possible board action to approve revisions to the FY27 Part-Time Pay Scale.

    14. Director of Instruction report - Blake Thomas

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the purchase of Amatrol equipment for the Industrial Automation program using funding from Carl Perkins High Growth and Emerging Technology (HGET) Grant Funds. 

    15. Director of Instructional Services report - Brandon Mayer

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

    16. Director of Maintenance and Purchasing report - Justin Neeley

    a. Discussion and possible board action on contracting with Clayco Industries Inc., dba Ford Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., to provide material and labor for the replacement of the roof on Building 200 on the Lawton Campus.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on contracting with Clayco Industries Inc., dba Ford Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., to provide material and labor for the replacement of the roof on Building 600 on the Lawton Campus.

    c. Discussion and possible board action on contracting with Clayco Industries Inc., dba Ford Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., to provide material and labor for the replacement of the roof over the boardroom at the Frederick Campus and to pay the state administrative fees to the Oklahoma Office of Management Enterprise Services (OMES) at 3.5% of the project cost.

    17. Deputy Superintendent's report - Morgan Gould

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the Great Plains Technology Center Strategic Plan for 2026-2031.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on a Business Development Center Lease Agreement with Janis Ferguson-Craig.

    c. Discussion and possible board action on the Business Development Center Lease Agreement with Terra Bella Construction, LLC.

    18. Superintendent's report - Joelle Jolly

    a. Next regular board meeting is September 1, 2026.

    19. 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).

    20. Proposed executive session to discuss:

    a. Discussion on retirement of Brenda Honn, Website Developer, effective November 30, 2026.
    b. Discussion on retirement of William Schemonia, Senior Information Technology Helpdesk Technician, effective December 31, 2026.
    c. Discussion on retirement of Teresa Abram, Director of Marketing and Communications, effective January 31, 2027.
    d. Discussion on employment of candidate as Technical Training Instructor for FY27.
    e. Discussion on employment of candidate as Trade and Industry Teaching Assistant (Electrical) for FY27.
    f. Discussion on employment of candidate as Workforce and Economic Development (WED) Operations Secretary (Evening) for FY27.
    g. Discussion on employment of part-time personnel and part-time Workforce and Economic Development (WED) personnel for FY27 as listed on agenda item so the board can return to open session to vote on employment matters discussed. 

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

    21. Vote to convene in executive session

    22. Acknowledge board's return to open session

    23. Statement of executive session minutes

    24. Action Items

    a. Discussion and possible board action on the retirement of Brenda Honn, Website Developer, effective November 30, 2026.

    b. Discussion and possible board action on the retirement of William Schemonia, Senior Information Technology Helpdesk Technician, effective December 31, 2026.

    c. Discussion and possible board action on the retirement of Teresa Abram, Director of Marketing and Communications, effective January 31, 2027.

    d. Discussion and possible board action on the employment of candidate as Technical Training Instructor for FY27.

    e. Discussion and possible board action on the employment of candidate as Trade and Industry Teaching Assistant (Electrical) for FY27.

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

    g. Discussion and possible board action on employment of part-time personnel and part-time Workforce and Economic Development (WED) personnel for FY27.

    25. 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 August 10, 2026 before 4:00 PM.

    Attested by: Stacy Pifer, Board of Education Minutes Clerk