Randy Mitchell The Allen High School Academic Team, Which Was Recently Crowned The Regional Champion Of The 2022 Class 2a Academic Bowl, Was Mentioned Monday At The Regular Meeting Of The Allen Board Of Education. Under Administrative Reports,

The Allen High School Academic Team, which was recently crowned the regional champion of the 2022 Class 2A Academic Bowl, was mentioned Monday at the regular meeting of the Allen Board of Education.

Under administrative reports, High School Principal Steve Butcher told the board that the High School Academic Team members are regional champions, which is the first time anyone can recall that happening, he said. The team is going to “Area” in January.

Also, during administrative reports, Butcher mentioned that the Junior High boys’ basketball team won the Stonewall Tournament, and the girls’ team took third place.

Three of Allen’s PTC (Pontotoc Technology Center) students competed in Las Vegas for a chance to go to the National Finals in Indianapolis. Hunter Boyd, Montana Griffin, and Katy Jennings, first had to qualify for the Las Vegas Competition. In Las Vegas, all three won the right to compete at the next level in the HOTRODDER’S Engine Assembly Contest. Hunter Boyd’s team finished second, only seconds out of first pIace, Butcher said. Montana Boyd and Katy placed 11th. All three qualified to go to the Indianapolis Speedway for the National Finals.

FCCLA sent two officers, Malloree Howard and Aniston Weeks to the National Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Mr. (Johnathan) Walden took several students to a community service project in Idabel to help with tornado relief.

Butcher said 40 Gifted and Talented Students visited Honey Springs Civil War Battlefield near Checotah. If the National Weather Service opens, the school would like to take them there next.

Butcher said fortyfive parents attended the Parent-Teacher Conference held October 18th.

Butcher said fortyseven 10th through 12th grade students took the ACT Test at school, while thirty-six 10th grade students took it a second time at the school.

Elementary School

Elementary Principal Amy Mayhue said the elementary school has been a busy place over the last few weeks.

“With lots of dress up days and fun celebrations for celebrating life (red ribbon week) and Halloween fun,” she said. “This last week we spent some time learning and honoring our veterans through art, song, and personal presentations. Presentations from Candice Smith and Joe Bakken were highlights for our kids. It’s always good to see those that they know as the soldiers they were. We are looking forward to our annual Thanksgiving meal this Friday, it’s always a highlight of the fall.”

Mayhue said enrollment is 274 as of Monday morning for Pre-K3 through fifth grade.

Consent Agenda The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the October 10 Regular Meeting; the fiscal year 20222023 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 232 through 254 ($56,283.47); Building Bond Fund number 3 ($455,100); Sinking Fund number 3 ($26,425); the Treasurer’s report; the Activity Fund report; and High School fundraisers.

Also in the consent agenda was the 2023 Calendar Year Board Meeting dates and Payroll dates.

Hiatt said one change coming to the board meeting dates will be moving the start time of board meetings from the current time of 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. The change will begin in January.

Action Items

The board approved action items, which included the Indian Education Program Policies and Procedures for fiscal year 2023; Covid recruiting and retention stipends, which uses covid funds to pay staff; and the superintendent’s recommendation to allow prom to be held off campus at Banks Valley Ranch near Ada on April 15.

The ranch is located west of Ada in Pickett, north of State Highway 19 at the north end of County Road 3495. The Facebook page for the ranch is www. facebook.com/BanksValleyGuestRanch/.

Executive Session

The board entered into executive session, and, upon returning, approved the hiring of Josh Vaughn as IT Director. Vaughn will start in January.

The board accepted the resignation of junior high teacher Georgia Gray.

The board also approved sick day sharing for a staff member who has fallen ill and is out of sick days. The action allows teachers and other staff to donate their own sick days.

Under new business, the board accepted the resignation of Kimberly Chappel, who resigned from the cafeteria.