Hennessey’s annual school audit complete, board OK’s stipends for all employees

Hennessey school board members heard some good news last week.

“There were no big surprises in your audit,” CPA Steve Blasingame told board members last Monday night about the 202324 annual audit report.

He was one of the lead auditors and is a partner in Angel, Johnston & Blasingame in Chickasha.

Declines in oil and gas gross production taxes during that period caused deficits in the school’s general and special revenue funds, said Blasingame.

“Gross production tax income to the school was down $2.6 million in 202324,” he said, “when compared to the previous year.”

The school received $11,548,530 in general fund revenue (mainly from local, state and federal sources) in 2023-24.

Expenses were $12,091,196, which triggered a $542,667 “adjustment,” said the auditor.

Also, special revenues totaled $1,607,399 and expenditures were $1,727,258. That caused a $119,859 adjustment.

The school is “projected” to get $2.3 million in gross production this year, Superintendent Jason Sternberger told the KT&FP.

He said previous amounts were: 2022-23, $4.8 million; 2021-22, $3.4 million, and 2020-21, $1.7 million.

Blasingame said the school’s payroll had been up $830,000 compared to the previous year.

“That wasn’t due to over-hiring,” said Sternberger, “$800,000 was due to state-mandated pay raises.”

Blassingame credited Sternberger and the office staff for always being prepared, and helpful with the audits.

Sternberger said that wasn’t him, but it was Business Manager Tim- berly Jech, Treasurer Ginger Cox and purchasing agent Randi Franklin.

A PDF of the complete audit report is on the Hennessey Public Schools’ site.

Staff Stipends Approved After discussion, the board unanimously approved these fall stipends: $1,000 to certified employees and $500 to support personnel.

Checks will be given to employees Friday, Nov. 22, said Sternbeger. That way they’ll have it before the holidays, he said.

The school has given fall and spring stipends to employees for the past few years.

Some years it has been $1,500 for certified staff, and $750 for support staff in the Fall, and in Spring. Last year employees received $1,500 and $750 in the Fall, and $1,000 and $500 in the Spring.

Patrick Griffin, board president, suggested they approve the higher amount.

Then, Vice President Dr. James M. Matousek said he thought it would be “more prudent” to approve the lesser amount this month, then see how well finances are in the spring.

The board’s agenda had called for an executive session to “discuss salary/benefi ts of certified and support personnel.”

However, Sternberger said that item didn’t qualify for a closed session, and all discussion was in an open meeting.

HHS Special Ed Teacher Hired

Debbie Hickey, a retired Hennessey special education teacher, was hired as a high school special ed teacher “as long as needed for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.”

She replaces Amy Shelite, who is “on a leave of absence,” said Sternberger.

Fundraisers Approved

These fundraisers were approved in the consent agenda that included financials: Baseball, selling spiral glazed hams, Dec. 2024, and Science Club, selling items from outdoor classroom (hot sauce, herbs, etc.), 2024-25 At the Meeting

All board members were present: Griffin, Matousek, Clerk Luke Lough, Amy Charmasson and Dakota Semrad.

Staff at the board table were Sternberger and Jech.

Other staff at the meeting were Principals Barry Crosswhite (elementary) and Stacey Mack (Early Childhood Center), and Todd Cameron, technology director.