I am truly excited for the opportunity to serve as the Director of Operations for Tahlequah Public Schools. I also want to recognize Brad Jones for the outstanding leadership he provided—he left TPS in excellent condition, and I am grateful to build upon the foundation he helped establish. Our maintenance and grounds crew are exceptional men to work with, and together we remain committed to enhancing the quality of our facilities and services districtwide.
Since the beginning of the school year, our maintenance and grounds team has completed more than 1,000 work orders, in addition to daily and weekly scheduled maintenance on buildings, grounds, and equipment. Their dedication keeps our campuses safe, functional, and welcoming for students, staff, and visitors.
TPS continues to see strong results from our energy performance contract, which is significantly reducing utility costs and improving the efficiency of our energy usage. Most recently, we installed new HVAC units at the Tahlequah Multi-Purpose Activity Center (TMAC) and added four additional HVAC units at Tahlequah Middle School. Building repairs across the district are also ongoing, all with a focus on increasing energy efficiency and improving comfort for students and staff.
Progress continues at the TPS Education Service Center (Armory) renovation project. Drywall completion is scheduled for November 16, with painting to follow soon after. The roofing project is nearing completion as well. We have relocated the digital sign from the old BOE, and the new awnings—proudly displaying the Double T logo—are already in place. This updated facility is an exciting addition for our district. We look forward to welcoming our community into this space to work as partners for the betterment of our community!
Looking ahead, we are ramping up efforts toward the new bond projects. Planning meetings with architects, contractors, and interior designers are ongoing to ensure that future facilities best serve our students and educators. Soil testing by geo engineers will begin next week at each site with new construction. Before long, we will be breaking ground on several major projects, including the new stadium, the new band room/shelter at Tahlequah Middle School, and other improvements made possible through the bond. We will have timelines ready this coming spring for the projects to come! Thank you again for voting to support the students and staff at TPS!
None of these advancements would be possible without the strong support of our community. The bond projects and energy efficiency upgrades represent a shared investment in the future of our students. As we continue to strengthen and expand our facilities, TPS remains focused on providing the very best learning environment for every learner we serve.
Jack Willis
Tahlequah Public Schools
Director of Operations