Wonderful things are happening at Tahlequah Public Schools! As we begin the second half of the school year, we are energized and ready to make it the very best yet. Time truly does fly, and I am incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff. We are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest, and we love every opportunity to highlight their hard work and success.
In the coming weeks, the existing Board of Education building will be vacated, and staff will move into the newly renovated TPS Education Service Center, located in the former Armory building. Construction teams have worked diligently for months to transform this space into a facility that will support TPS for decades to come. We are grateful to the City of Tahlequah for helping make this vision a reality. This new space will allow us to house all business staff in one location and provide multiple areas for meetings, professional development, and student and staff showcases. The future is bright!
We are also meeting bi-weekly with architects and construction management teams to plan our upcoming bond projects. The first projects expected to go out for bid in late March or April include the Tahlequah Middle School band room/tornado shelter and the stadium/fieldhouse project. Additional projects beginning this summer include the TMS cafeteria expansion and restroom remodels. At Tahlequah High School, work will begin on the library and performing arts center remodels, along with flooring and restroom updates. Heritage Elementary will see new awnings, and Sequoyah Elementary will begin a playground remodel. There will be a great deal happening at once, and we are excited about the positive impact these improvements will have on our students and staff. Once again, thank you to the Tahlequah community for making this possible.
January is School Board Member Appreciation Month, and Tahlequah Public Schools is blessed with outstanding leadership. I would like to sincerely thank our Board of Education members for their dedicated service. Lorraine Walker serves as Board President (Seat 1), Shawn Coffman as Vice President (Seat 5), Dr. Dana Eversole represents Seat 3, Stephanie Crawford represents Seat 2, and Chrissi Nimmo serves Seat 4. These five women are resolute, non-paid public servants who generously give their time and heart to ensure the best possible experience for our students, families, and staff. Their commitment to student achievement and to supporting a productive, positive work environment does not go unnoticed. Tahlequah is truly in great hands.
Our upcoming schedules will be full of ball games, music programs, parent nights, student competitions, and other events. Please make the time to come watch these talented students we have at TPS. We are so very proud of what they accomplish every day.
It is my honor to serve as Superintendent of Tahlequah Public Schools. I am so thankful to serve the students, staff, and community of Tahlequah. As always, if you have comments, questions, or concerns, I am available. You may contact me by phone at 918-458-4100 or by email at jonest@tahlequahschools.org. Thank you, and remember—Once a Tiger, always a Tiger!
Written by Tanya Jones/Superintendent