The Allen Board of Education hired a new superintendent Friday, March 7th, during a special meeting to replace outgoing Superintendent Jeff Hiatt who will retire at the end of the current school year.

Additionally, at its regular meeting Monday, the board accepted the resignation of Steve Butcher, high school and junior high principal; and also accepted the resignation of Chad Elerick, head football coach and English teacher.

The board also accepted the resignation of Mike Minton, the high school band director. Minton actually left Allen Schools in February, but the board formally accepted his resignation Monday.

The new superintendent, Cindy A. White, is coming from Maud Public Schools, where she has served as superintendent since 2018.

White earned a Bachelor of Science degree in natural The Allen JH Girls Powerlifting team made history when they brought home the title of State Powerlifting Champions. Congratulations to: Kiara Byrd - 1st Place and Most Outstanding Lightweight Lifter Keilee Byrd - 2nd Place Caityn Williams - 3rd Place Laynee Heck - 5th Place Elizabeth Elerick - 5th Place Cobi Frederick - 5th Place Alina Jones - 7th Place Isabelle Elerick - 8th Place science from Cameron University in Lawton and a Master of Education degree in education administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.

White also has a superintendent certificate, Oklahoma Pre-K through 12th; secondary principal certificate, Oklahoma 6th through 12th; elementary principal certificate, Oklahoma Pre-K through 8th; and a teacher certificate, Oklahoma 6th through 12th science.

White has served in public school administration since 2009 and was a teacher for 14 years prior to that.

White began at Navajo Public Schools, where she taught from 1995 through 1998; then taught science at Snyder Public School from 1998 to 2002 where she was recognized for outstanding test scores; she then taught chemistry at Kaufman Public Schools from 2002 to 2003; then was an AP chemistry teacher/physics teacher at Cache Public Schools from 2003 to 2009 where she was recognized as teacher of the year.

White was a principal intern at Cache Public Schools in 2009, then served as middle school principal at Tipton Public Schools from 2009 to 2012. From 2012 to 2015, White served as assistant superintendent/principal at Tipton public schools from 2012 to 2015; and then as high school principal at Cache Public Schools from 2015 to 2018 before accepting the job as superintendent at Maud.

Action Items

The board heard a presentation of the fiscal year 2024 financial audit, delivered via telephone from the offices of Patten & Odom, CPAs. The audit was positive, and the auditor said Allen Public Schools was overall doing a “really good job.” The board approved the audit.

The board also approved an auditor engagement letter and contract for audit of fiscal year 2025 with Patten & Odom, CPAs.

The board approved a change in the school calendar to make up for the missed day on March 4th due to the storm and not having electricity, which be made up on Friday, April 25th.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the February 10, 2025, regular meeting, and the minutes for the special meetings held February 13, 2025, February 17, 2025, and February 26, 2025; The fiscal year 20242025 purchase orders and encumbrances: General Fund numbers 255 through 267($36,127.86); Building Fund numbers 56 through 61 ($141,320.50); the Treasurer’s report; the Activity Fund report; and Overnight Trips: Cheer (Cheer Camp in Norman on June 6th-June 8th).

Administrative Reports

In administrative reports, Hiatt addressed the board and said there was minor damage at the schools, compared to the town, from the March 4th storms.

“We had our bus that was up at Wally’s receive some damage, so we’re going to have to get it fixed,” Hiatt said. “It had some pretty major cosmetic damage; we’re going to have to take it to a body shop.”

Damage at the schools included a blown over fence at the playground and a vent that was blown off the cafeteria roof.

Hiatt updated the board on sports and other extra-curricular activities.

“So, basketball is over,” Hiatt said. “The girls went to state, boys made area finals. Powerlifting has been busy this year -- junior high girls won state. We had several junior high boys and high school boys and girls that qualified for state. The junior high academic team qualified for state, and we just started baseball, softball and track. FFA goes to OIE this week and next week, and that’s kind of their grand finale for show season.”

Elementary Principal