The Allen Board of Education hired a new head baseball coach Tuesday, May 14th, during its regular meeting.

The board hired Chat Hayes, who will coach the high school baseball team and also teach history and assist with fast-pitch softball.

Hayes, who is from Grove, graduated from East Central University where he finished his baseball career. He also played college baseball at Nebraska and Nicholls State prior to ECU.

The board also hired Luke Ring, who will coach football, track and powerlifting. Ring was the previous head coach and offensive coordinator at Broken Bow. Additionally, he will teach high school science at Allen.

Administrative Reports

and Discussion Items Allen Schools Resource Officer Shannon Butler addressed the board with an annual safety/ security report for the year.

Butler completed training and is now a certified Risk and Vulnerability Assessor with the Department of Homeland Security.

“Basically, he can evaluate a school campus and make recommendations for school safety,” Superintendent Jeff Hiatt said. “He is certified to assess any school in Oklahoma and recommend necessary changes. At Allen, he visited about projects that we have done in the two years he has been the resource officer at Allen.”

Some changes that are currently occurring are that Allen Schools is looking at more and better signage to direct people in the public.

Officials are evaluating moving the staff parking away from the entrances of buildings and securing all areas on campus free from vehicles where students are apt to walk. Butler visited about training the staff has done and other emergency and safety issues.

Steve Butcher

Junior High and High School Principal Steve Butcher gave an end of the year discipline report.

The report showed a positive trend of less discipline referrals from teachers in the spring semester compared to the fall semester. Out-of-school suspensions decreased 80% along with in-school suspensions.

He praised the teachers and students for being respectful and behaved.

Additionally, it was announced that Greg Mills was voted Pontotoc Basketball Coach of the Year and Gus Matthews as Freshman Basketball Player of the Year.

Amy Mayhue

Elementary School Principal Amy Mayhue reported that they have wrapped up another year with great growth and experiences for Allen students.

“This year has been full of fun and excitement,” she said. “We finished our year with a Fun Day which consisted of snow cones, inflatables, games, bubbles, and so much family fun!” Mayhue said the Elementary School completed state testing with a 100% participation rate, meaning all of the students were assessed as required by the state.

“We are looking forward to showing how much we have learned this year,” Mayhue said.

“Our summer learning program will begin on Wednesday, May 16th, with a theme of Fun in the Sun. The Choctaw POSSE program is a true asset to our community, and we are so grateful to be a part of it each year.”

Hiring

The board hired back all staff for fiscal year 2025, which included: Allen Public Schools Certified Probationary Teachers

1. Kaleb Burns Allen Public Schools Certified Temporary Teachers

1. Linda Baber
2. Brett Edens
3. Vannie Bailey
4. Jolene Bakken
5. Shaelee Brantley
6. Mark Jones
7. Aaron Purkins

Allen Public Schools Support Staff

1. Crystal Bear (Para)
2. Lacye Carney (Para)
3. Becky Dyer (Para)
4. Robin Escarcega (Secretary)
5. Kierra Howard (Teacher Asst.)
6. Claudia Iker (Teacher Asst.)
7. Lindsey Linker (Lead PK3 Teacher)
8. Tracy McGuire (Para)
9. Juanita Riddle (Library Asst/ISS)
10. Tierra Roberson (Para)
11. Debbie Vinson (Library Asst.)
12. Trisha Wainscott (Teacher Asst.)
13. Lacy Williamson (Secretary)

Allen Public Schools Custodial Staff 1. Bill Stephens 2. Theresa Williams 3. Retha Wilson 4. Melissa Wood Allen Public Schools Cafeteria Staff 1. Gina Alcaida 2. Linda Cornwall 3. Robert Huggins 4. Erin Ritter Additionally, after returning from executive session, the board approved Summer School contracts for summer school employees.

The board also accepted the resignations of Michaela Richbourg (JH/HS Softball coach and JH math teacher) and Nicole Deaton (kindergarten teacher).

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the April 8, 2024, Regular Meeting; The fiscal year 20232024 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 288 through 311 ($70,704.81); Building Fund numbers 26 through 28 (8,750); Child Nutrition Fund numbers 39 through 41 ($26,809.37); Treasurer’s Report; Activity Fund Report; and Overnight Trips: Girls Basketball Camp at Branson, Missouri, and FFA Officer Retreat to Hochatown, June 24th through 26th.

The consent agenda also included a fundraiser for fiscal year 2025 (FCCLA, HS Cheer & JH Cheer); Renew Drug Testing Consortium for Bus Drivers; Travel Requests 2024-2025 -- number 1; Summer Extra-Duty Pay at $12/hour; Renewal of memberships, services and contracts for fiscal year 20242025: 3P Learning; Discovery Education — (Dream Box Math); East Central Online Consortium (Gordon Cooper Technology Center – Instructional software); J&J School Services (Impact Aid); OROS (Oklahoma Rural Schools); OSSBA Employment Services, Policy Services, and Membership; Parent Square (Website and Communication Software); Really Great Reading.

Action Items

The board approved all action items, which included: - Taking action on a resolution determining the maturities of, and setting a date, time and place for the sale of the $930,000 General Obligation Building Bonds of the School District. The board voted to sell the bonds on June 27th at 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the 6 p.m. board meeting that night.

- Resolution for Schools and Libraries Universal Services (E-Rate) for 20242025. This resolution authorizes filing of the Form 471 application(s) for funding year 20242025 and the payment of the applicant’s share upon approval of funding and receipt of services.

- Action on a 3-year Deregulation Application for Library/Media Services Elementary and Secondary Personnel as presented.

- A stipend of $125 for each teacher attending an all-day training in Oklahoma City on July 24, 2024, on using Allen Schools’ newly adopted mathematics textbooks.