School board swears in McClelland, enrollment rises

The Olney school board administered the oath of office to new member Mark McClelland, approved funding to put finishing touches on the new baseball complex and noted a jump in attendance last school year.

Mr. McClelland returns to the Olney Independent School District’s Board of Trustees to fill the Place 3 seat vacated by former Board President Jake Bailey. Mr. McClelland will serve out Mr. Bailey’s term until a special election slated for next May.

The Board approved expenditures for the ballpark fencing and irrigation tank, and voted to install forced entry resistant film required by state law on windows that can be accessed from the ground, Board President Summer Branum said. The Board also reviewed the final average daily attendance figures for the past school year. The district finished the year with 726 enrolled students, compared with 711 at the end of the last school year and 684 students in May of 2021, Mrs. Branum said.

The board also approved the price list for the cafeteria – leaving prices for regular and reduced student lunches and guest lunches the same as last year, Mrs. Branum said.

The board also nominated Trustee Kyle Hinson to take Olney’s spot on the Young County Appraisal District board, she said. The board also gave authority to Superintendent Dr. Greg Roach to award pay raises and stipends to staff members who take on extra duties such as coaching or coordinating University Interscholastic League teams, she said.