May 9, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 12

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Serving Western Oklahoma <r 3 turday, May 9, 2020 “Weekend Edition Elk City valedictorian sees a former City commission teacher’s appraisal come true approves sales Editor’s note: This is the second story in a series on The end of her final year as a senior has said been dif- ficult, as it has been for all seniors and other students, who tax period area valedictorians and salu- have not had classes in the building since March because of tatorians. COVID-19 pandemic. Garcia tries keep the situation in per- By Don Munsch, Editor By Don Munsch, Editor spective, though. The Elk City City Commission approved a measure Former Elk City Middle “It’s been a little devastating not getting to experience all Monday that will help the city’s financial operations. School literature teacher Kas- the senior activities that you thought you were going to, but At the Monday meeting, commissioners approved a res- ey Cannon convinced Rossy at the end of the day, it’s all going to work out in the end; it’s olution to reapportion the sales tax revenue for the period Garcia that she could become all for the better,” Garcia said. from May 1, 2020, until June 30, 2021, and declare an her class valedictorian one She said her academic success comes from her desire to emergency. day. work hard, study and be diligent. She calls herself a math Commissioners approved allowing a reapportionment Rossy Garcia : “T was kind of like, I don’t person who likes the essence of the subject, as math provides that goes from 1% percent for capital improvements and know what that is,” said Garcia, noting she was in the eighth discoveries in unequivocal fashion. 1% for general government operations of the percentages grade then. Garcia starred on the Elk City soccer team and said it was with 2 percent now going toward general government op- But Garcia has come to see her former teacher was on the her favorite extracurricular activity, as she loved her team- erations and | percent going toward capital improvements. mark, as Garcia will see four years of hard work come to fru- mates and the time she spent on the pitch. “The reason was to free more funding for our general ition this spring when she finishes as Elk City High School’s “Tt always a fun time and I never hated it and never dreaded operations,” City Manager Lee Litterell said about the valedictorian. See Valedictorian page 2. resolution. The emergency was called so that commissioners’ ap- Elk City High School seniors to proval allowed the resolution to take effect immediately, Litterell said. Because of the decrease of sales tax revenue, the city is have parade commencement looking for ways to continue to fund operations, Litterell said. Sales tax revenues have been affected by the corona- virus and unemployment. Commissioners’ action will add Parade Route about $1.3 million into the city’s general operation funds, South from Pioneer Litterell said. ? enter to 3rd. Then The city will have a better idea of where it is financially East on 3rd to Main. at the mid-month meeting, he said. South at Main to 7th. ‘Also Monday, the commissioners approved a bid from Map provided by Elk Caswell Construction of Elk City for concrete supplies. City Public Schools. “That just supplies us for the whole year to do different projects like maybe some road patching, things like that,” Litterell said about the concrete. The commission will have a budget workshop at 11 a.m. May 20 before the regular commission meeting, Litterell said. Also discussed at the Monday meeting was the pos- sibility of not opening the swimming pool this summer. By Don Munsch, Editor thinking behind doing the parade graduation. During public comment, Priscilla Simon, the owner of Elk City Public School officials announced plans Wednes- “When it became evident we were not going to be able to The End Zone bar, wanted to know whether her business day for the 2020 Elk City High School graduation ceremo- have a traditional ceremony, ideas began to float around,” he could open before Phase II starts for the state reopening ny, which will be a parade going through the city on May 17 said. “We knew we wanted to do something special for our some businsesses and allowing activities that had been with 3rd Street serving as the main thoroughfare. kids on the day that we had designated for graduation. We halted. Phase II begins May 15. Attendees may park on both sides of the parade route in thought it was important to still honor that day.” Whether her business can open early is something that parking lots and parking spaces, the school district stated in He said that regardless of what was going on in the world, the city would explore, as far as whether it is a restaurant a news release, The parade begins at 2 p.m. educators wanted to “overcome it in some form or fashion. or bar, Litterell said. The city just wanted to be fair in that The district opted for a graduation parade because of the Personally the parade stood out to me.” scope, but Litterell said Tuesday he did not allow it to re- spread of the coronavirus. Garrison said that growing up in Elk City, he found the open. Elk City Superintendent Rick Garrison explained the See Parade page 2. The News was unable to reach Simon for comment. SWOSU goes back to in-person classes this fall Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford pus life will be different when the fall semester resumes in classes.” and Sayre announced this week that it intends to resume August. SWOSU leaders will continue to monitor develop- Beutler said he understands the many concerns about the in-person teaching, learning and residential life for the Fall ments in the Western Oklahoma area and the state related to logistics of how a return to campus will ensure a safe 2020 semester, with the university making the decision now the coronavirus. See Classes page 2. even as the coronavirus continues to spread. With respect to this information, SWOSU will analyze and Fall semester classes begin Aug. 17. In a news release, SWOSU President Randy Beutler said develop ways in which students, faculty and staff can safely return to campus, including: News to begin reopening phase the university will use a “measured approach” to the fall se- - Safety protocols such as social distancing will be of “ut- mester and “continue the tradition of an excellent education most importance” in the return to classrooms, labs and resi- at an affordable price.” Beutler said on-campus learning has dence halls. to continue. - The dining facility serving lines are being changed to By Don Munsch, Editor “The value of a SWOSU education is known far and improve safety. As we continue to experience the new “normal,” The Elk wide,” Beutler said. “However, in order to sustain the qual- ~ Future plans will include recommendations regarding the City News wants to share what our “Phase One” reopening ity of many of our programs, we cannot continue to rely use of protective masks, testing and other tools. will look like. solely on remote learning, Digital and virtual learning tech- - SWOSU will also consider ways to reduce the density of We are not opening our lobby completely, but will be nologies are an important part of our educational system and groups in campus housing, dining facilities and classrooms. available by appointment Monday thru Friday between the will continue to be so, but these tools cannot be a long-term The release stated that until a vaccine is developed, many hours of9 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Monday. We will con- substitute for the facilities and support that our campuses at members of the SWOSU community may not be able to risk tinue to be available by phone [580-225-3000] fax [580- Weatherford and Sayre provide.” teaching or attending in-person classes. 243-2414] and email [[email protected]] Monday Many of SWOSU’s faculty and students need access to “We recognize the needs of our faculty and staff, our non- thru Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To renew classrooms, library, rehearsal rooms and labs to fully en- traditional students, and the members of our community your subscription, seek information about advertising, place gage with their learning, research and instruction, the release with underlying health concerns,” Beutler said. “To these an obituary or to ask any other general customer service stated. and others, SWOSU will develop strategies for fall instruc- question, you can do so by calling 580-225-3000. Beutler said it will be important to recognize that cam- tion which will involve a blend of online and face-to-face See Reopening page 2. Weather oe Vol. 118, No. 37 Mail delivery View online «IL ON tomorrow 88 / 61 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com