The Madill Record ‘In the Arms of Lake TTexoma’exoma’ Vol. 126 — Number 28 Madill, Marshall CountyCounty,, OK 73446 — ThursdayThursday,, December 31, 2020 14 Pages in 2 Sections — $1 Madill chief begins new journey The year in Oklahoma Education By Sam Jordan For most people, working at the same job for over five years is an accomplishment. Even ten years is pretty good, In addition to PPE pur- “The State Board could po- but, working at the same job chases, Stitt issued an execu- tentially pass some type of rule for nearly thirty years is a tive order directing the State that could supersede some of rare accomplishment. Department of Health and the local decisions,” Stitt said. Donald Yow started work- State Department of Educa- ing at the Madill Police tion to prepare a plan by Aug. Epic Charter Schools Department on June 1, 1992 21 to offer testing to all state audit seeks return of funds and has faithfully served the teachers for COVID-19 on a City of Madill and its citizens monthly basis. An investigative audit of since then. The PPE was distributed in Epic Charter Schools was re- Now, Chief Yow is prepar- August, however some district leased by the State Auditor & ing to transition from work- officials expressed frustration Investigators Office on Oct. 1. ing for the City of Madill and over the timing of the distri- The audit revealed that Epic begin his new career as the bution, as they had already owes the state $8.9 million af- chief law enforcement officer gone through their budgets to ter using Oklahoma tax dollars for Marshall County. find money to purchase items to fund a venture in California The drive from home to his themselves. and allegedly violating a state new job will add two extra law that limits how much blocks for the lifetime native Stitt moves teachers up money a charter school can of Madill. Yow was elected for vaccine, State Board spend on administrative costs. in the Spring 2020 Primary cancels school report cards During a special meeting Election, to succeed Marshall Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Oct. 12, the State Board of Edu- County Sheriff Danny Cryer. on Thursday, Dec. 17, that cation unanimously approved a Yow said that working with teachers would be moved to motion to demand Epic return all of the community members phase two of vaccine distribu- $11,235,919 to the State De- and “getting the opportunity tion. Teachers were originally partment of Education. to serve our citizens” and help- in phase three of the distribu- The Statewide Virtual tion hierarchy. Charter School board met Oct. ing in any way that he can is By Megan Prather year of 2020. confronted with other COVID- something he genuinely loves. During the announcement, 13, where members approved NONDOC related issues throughout the Stitt also put pressure on local a motion to enter the process Yow truly appreciates all of School’s out for now: year, including failed calls the support and trust showed school boards to return to in- to terminate their charter au- What a long, strange year ‘This is a dynamic situation’ for a statewide school mask person learning for the spring thorization contract with Epic by the community towards the it’s been. In March, the Oklahoma mandate as well as cancelling police department in those semester. One-on-One Charter Schools We collectively coped with State Board of Education or- school report cards for the “We cannot lose another owing to alleged contract viola- years. adjusting to COVID-19, an dered all public, charter and 2020/2021 school year. Through the years, Yow semester educating our young tions. The termination hearing election and a massive power virtual schools closed until people,” Stitt said during the will take place March 8-11. has experienced similar outage all in the span of 365 April 6 to help curb the spread Stitt announces $10 mil- things like other departments press conference. “My goal is The SVCSB has provided days. For that, I think we all of the novel coronavirus. lion in PPE for schools to get every kid in school in oversight to Epic One-on-One across the state have such as deserve an air high-five. “This is a dynamic situation. In July, Gov. Kevin Stitt learning how to keep up with person in January, however Charter Schools as their char- But before we plunge into It’s very fluid,” State Superin - announced the state would we need to do it.” ter authorizer since 2014. Rose the ever-changing technology. a new year, take a moment to tendent of Public Instruction spend $10 million to purchase Yow noted that there have Stitt also suggested the State College is the charter stroll down Oklahoma educa- Joy Hofmeister said during personal protective equipment State Board of Education could authorizer for Epic Blended. been some positive changes tion memory lane with this an emergency State Board of for public and private schools with how the Madill Police get involved in the process and collection of notable NonDoc Education meeting March 16. so they would be able to open provide pressure. Epic approves corrective Department has evolved stories from the unforgettable The Board of Education was safely in the fall. through the years under his (See REVIEW, page 7A) watch, including how the department has built a trust with the community and Reflection on a difficult year watching that trust continue to grow over several years. The officers and staff have By Sam Jordan the public servants, both paid months later and the question home internet to still have the The privilege of being able to strived to not take that trust and volunteer, shined the is still up for debate. ability to sign online and do worship with one another was lightly and continues to work The end of 2020 is in sight, brightest when times were dif- By the time that school was homework. quickly halted. Some church hard to serve the community. and not a moment too soon. ficult. With the spotlight being nearing the end of the term, Then, as summer ap- congregations had to come up Even though Yow is leaving, This was a year filled withdisplayed on Marshall County, school officials were trying to proached, questions of whether with alternatives on how to he said he wants that com- memories and also a year filledthe determination of rebound- figure out on whether or not outside events would be held as get the teachings and inter- munity bond to strengthen. with questions such as “can we ing from tragedy did not keep graduation ceremonies could normal or not were on every- pretations of the Bible to the He said he wants the next ever get through this?” the spirits of its citizens down be held or not. body’s minds. Early on, events parishioners. Chief of Police to treat the The new year started off like or depressed. Not wanting to rob the were postponed, and people Some churches were already community and the officers any typical turn of a decade. Even facing the aftereffects students of having a proper wondered whether the county’s delivering a Facebook LIVE with respect and continue Then, by the time February of a devastating natural disas- graduation, both Madill and beloved National Sand Bass feed of their services and most to build that trust with the rolled around, news of a virus ter, residents still found it in Kingston leaders made sure Festival would be held. The continue to this day. Addition- community, in addition to originating in China began cir- their hearts to give. A special that their students would committee was determined to ally, some churches were able responding to the community culating. Not many took it seri- radio fundraiser on the Satur- never forget the difficult yearmake every effort to hold the to secure a live broadcast on and working with other agen- ous because it was thousands of day after the tornado helped that they experienced by cel- event. Initially, the commit- the local radio stations. As cies as well. miles away from the US. raise over $10,000 in just ebrating the students. tee made the tough decision with many older churchgo- According to Yow, the two However, in March, the six hours. The need reached Superintendents Brian to postpone it from June to ers, they do not have internet initiatives go “hand in hand” virus hit the United States outside of the parameters Brister of Kingston and Larry August. capabilities. and bring about the best in and the country began to feel of Marshall County because Case of Madill, along with oth- The pandemic showed no With the pandemic hinder- every situation. the effects of what a pandemic donations came from all over er school administration lead- signs of slowing, and time was ing many residents’ normal Yow said he hopes to con- can do. the country; not just here in ers, shined when working with fast approaching to make a everyday lives, many were tinue community involvement Adding insult to injury, a Marshall County. By the time the Oklahoma Department of decision on whether or not to left grieving one of their own. once the pandemic eases up. devastating tornado hit Ma- all of the donations came in, Education officials on figuring postpone or cancel this year’s One of the joys from within the “We are going to serve our dill on April 22, 2020. Two approximately $14,000 was out alternatives for educating festivities. With guidance from community passed away from County and hopefully when people died as a result from raised for the area.