January 13, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Discussion:  Dr. Linda Ware Toure called meeting to order at 5:30pm

Discussion:  Crystal Scott Supervisor,Transportation, called for a moment of silence followed by leading the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Scott shared why she chose Metro Technology Centers and recited the Mission Statement — "Metro Technology Centers prepare people for successful employment and life in a global society
 

Discussion:  No public expressions

Discussion: 

Mr. Collins: Welcome to January, welcome to 2026, and welcome to Board Appreciation Month! Our board members, you have a few small tokens of our gratitude in front of you — thank you so much for your continued service and leadership. Your guidance helps us stay focused on student success, community development, infrastructure, and employee support, all while preparing our students for the workforce and keeping them at the center of everything we do.

Congratulations to Mr. Saul Ortiz, a recent OU graduate, who will be starting to pay state taxes this month — a big milestone!

I also want to acknowledge some of the influential individuals with us today, including one of the top 50 most influential leaders, Jessica Martinez Brooks. And congratulations as well to Dr. Grant, who, as we shared with the board, serves on the ASBO International advisory committee and has been selected as a Baldrige Fellow — quite an achievement!

Finally, a quick note — today is David Martin’s birthday. You’ll notice our auditors are present, and for the record, the refreshments for this afternoon’s celebration were not purchased with activity funds.

Discussion: 

The presentation by Eide Bailly, LLP — Audit was given by Vanessa Dutton along with Todd Riddel. This year, we made a few audit adjustments. One was a student activity fund accrued liability of about $4,400, and another was a $271,000 accrued liability for capital outlay expenditures. These adjustments came from our search for unrecorded liabilities—essentially checking whether payments made after year-end should have been recorded earlier. These kinds of adjustments are fairly common and largely reflect timing differences identified after the fiscal close.

Under the government-wide statements, the capital outlay would be recorded as a capital asset. We also noted two additional audit adjustments in the general fund: an allowance for doubtful accounts that could have reduced receivables by roughly $47,000 due to a calculation error in a supporting work paper, and an entry related to compensated absences. None of these items are large enough to change the overall financial picture but are reported for oversight purposes. Mr. Collins thanked them for giving their presentation.

Discussion:  Dr. Carlos Robinson with the Black Chamber 

I’d like to briefly highlight our partnership with the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce. Since stepping into my role in August 2025, we’ve built strong momentum through the Economic Development Center, partnering with Tinker Federal Credit Union and Metro Tech. Last year we held seven workshops with over 250 participants, and we already have seven more planned, including a lunch-and-learn with the Oklahoma Insurance Department Commissioner tomorrow.

Our focus moving forward is expanding workshops and creating a stronger pipeline that connects credentialing, workforce programs, and business development. Many of our Black business owners are first-generation entrepreneurs, and our goal is to help them gain visibility, access to capital, and the skills needed for long-term success.

I’m honored to stand alongside Jessica, one of Oklahoma’s 50 Most Influential leaders, and will continue using that platform to highlight both the Chamber and Metro Tech. I’ve been in this role for 141 days, and the community is responding positively to the renewed energy. Thank you for your continued support as we strengthen this partnership and serve our community.
 

Ms. Campos: Congratulations, Dr. Robinson, on being named one of Oklahoma’s 50 Most Influential Leaders! Since you stepped into your role, we’ve seen incredible progress — the newsletters are excellent, and I truly appreciate the improved communication and updates.

Dr. Robinson: Thank you so much — that really means a lot. It’s been a busy and rewarding start! I’m honored to be the first full-time employee of the Black Chamber since 1989, and with the addition of our part-time COO, we’re now reaching nearly 75% of our community through our programs. I appreciate everyone’s continued support.

Dr. Linda Ware Toure: Thank you, Dr. Robinson, for sharing your updates and for your dedication. Congratulations again on this well-earned recognition!

Discussion: 

Ms. Karen Upton, Director of Extension Programs, introduced Mr. Chris Treadway, a former student and current Metro Tech employee, who stepped in to help when one of their teachers transitioned to other opportunities.

Mr. Treadway then shared his "Metro Tech story," explaining why he chose to come to Metro Tech and how valuable the experience has been. "I really enjoyed my time here," he said. "I still use the technology skills I learned in my program." He went on to describe how Metro Tech prepared him for success—earning high school credit, training certificates, a high school diploma, and even college credits, which he proudly called his "triple play." After Metro Tech, he earned his bachelor’s degree in education and continues to encourage others to pursue their goals.

"Metro Tech is a great place to get excellent training," Mr. Treadway added.

Ms. Campos asked what year he graduated, and he replied, "2000." They shared a lighthearted moment when he mentioned driving a Pontiac and Ms. Campos said she did too. She thanked him for sharing his inspiring story.

Dr. Linda Toure also expressed her appreciation, saying, "Thank you for being a lifelong learner. That’s how we continue to embrace new things and pass them on to our students. I admire you for that. Never stop learning—none of us should. And I love that you encourage your students to do it all. You don’t have to choose just one path; you can do it all."

Discussion:  Ms. Jessica Martinez-Brooks, Sr. Director of Strategic Communication and Engagement, stated that she is honored to introduce our Employee Spotlight, Ms. Tessa Martin. For nearly two decades, she’s been a steady, people-first leader at Metro Tech, known for her dedication, consistency, and genuine care for others. From her early days volunteering in our summer outreach program to her current role as Director of Conference Services, Tessa’s commitment has never wavered. Under her leadership, our District Center has reached new heights—earning recognition as the Best Conference Center in Oklahoma based on Google reviews. Her excellence and teamwork inspire us all. Please join me in celebrating Ms. Tessa Martin.

Tessa Martin, Director, Conference Services, shared that her success at Metro Tech is built on the support and connections she’s found here. She expressed gratitude to colleagues like Ms. Miriam, who helped with her master’s project and even volunteered during winter break, and to Jeremy and Zach, who supported her creative ideas and classroom activities. Tessa also acknowledged her family’s encouragement, noting how meaningful it was to have them present for her recognition. Ms. Campos praised Tessa’s reliability and dedication, calling her the person everyone can count on to get things done with excellence. Dr. Linda Toure added that Tessa’s responsiveness and professionalism make her a valued colleague—someone people enjoy working with and deeply respect.

Discussion:  Mr. Bruce Campbell — District Treasurer — As we reach the midpoint of the fiscal year, I’m pleased to report that although we experienced a cash flow deficit during the first six months, recent collections have improved, resulting in a surplus. 

Discussion: 

Mr. Collins announced the dates of the upcoming events and encouraged both the board members and attendees to participate.

Discussion: 

Ms. Jones shared updates from the Finance Committee. We had a great meeting last week, starting by congratulating Dr. Grant on receiving the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. We reviewed the preliminary fiscal year 2025 audit, noting our activity fund improved from 67.5% to 82.5%—a solid gain. We also approved fiscal year 2026 amendment two, which adjusted forecasts to actuals. Overall, everything looked good, and it was a productive meeting.
She thanked everyone for their hard work in preparing data for the School Review.

Dr. Linda Toure praised the recent Aviation, Barber, Hospitality, HVAC, and Welding graduations held in December, noting the strong parent support and the staff’s dedication.

Ms. Jones further congratulated Dr. Grant and Ms. Jessica Martinez-Brooks for their leadership and service to the MetroTech community.

Ms. Campos echoed these sentiments, expressing appreciation for the positive start to the year and everyone’s commitment to supporting students. She also reminded everyone to take time on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to reflect on his legacy and celebrate together.

Discussion:  No new Business