Middle School Principal Resigns Staffing Changes Dominate May School Board Meeting

By Jennifer Lindsey
The resignation of middle school principal Tonya Finnerty was among multiple staffing changes approved at the monthly Davis School Board meeting.
“She is going to Madill High School, and we’ve begun advertising for that position,” said Superintendent Jamea Gilbert.
Other resignations were middle school English teacher Audra Mooneyham, elementary reading specialist Patti Hunt, elementary PE teacher Stefan Hunt and fifth-grade math teacher Dustin Hammons.
New hires included Blaine Elliott as elementary PE teacher, Kristen Elliott as middle school language arts teacher and Stephanie Rogers as middle school science teacher.
For the Empower Program, a program through Southern Tech that reconnects dropouts with earning their high school diploma, Kenneth Shade and Tresa Kagan were approved as adjunct teachers.
Dusty Raper will be the summer driver’s ed teacher.
David Harp will continue to work as the district’s treasurer.
The board also approved the rehiring of certified staff on temporary contract, support staff and retired support staff.
A number of annual contracts were approved by the board, including Harp Educational Services, OSSBA Employment/Unemployment Service Agreement, HealthCorps, CCOSA District Level Services Program, Texoma Psychology Group (Catherine Roring) and Take Two Alternative Academy.
New Century Photography was contracted for photography services, a change from previous years, although the company has history with the district.
“We’ve worked with them before,” Gilbert said. “They have great customer service and will do a good job.”
Supplemental appropriations were approved so state funds can be counted in the budget, specifically school resource officer funds from the state and federal OK AWARE grant funds.
Barlow Educational Services representative Amanda Drew was approved for a user account for the state’s Grant Management System.
The board also approved the following staff assignments for the 2025-2026 school year: Candi Horton as payroll clerk, insurance coordinator and deputy minute’s clerk; Shelly Bumgarner as encumbrance clerk and minutes clerk; and Chelsea Kelley as activity funds clerk.