Randy Mitchell The Allen Board Of Education Announced The Staff Members Of The Year March 9 At Its Regular Monthly Meeting. Elementary Teacher Of The Year

The Allen Board of Education announced the Staff Members of the Year March 9 at its regular monthly meeting.

Elementary Teacher of the Year

Elementary Special Education Teacher Amber Goodson was selected as Elementary Teacher of the year.

Goodson has been with Allen Schools for five years. She has a bachelor’s degree in behavioral health from East Central University in Ada, and is working on a master’s degree, also at ECU.

She is married to Cole Goodson, owner of Cole Goodson Farmers Insurance, and they have one son, Eden Goodson.

“I am honored to be chosen for Elementary Teacher of the year,” Goodson said. “My co-workers and administration are the reason I am able to be successful in my position. Allen Public Schools work together as a family to help all of our students and becoming successful. It takes a village and mine is wonderful.”

High School Teacher of the Year

High School and Junior High Counselor Lesli Costner was selected as High School Teacher of Year.

Costner has taught for 30 years, 28 of them at Allen Schools. She taught at Holdenville for two years -- seventhgrade math, coached seventh-grade and eighth-grade girls basketball, softball, and track, and was an assistant high school softball coach.

At Allen, Costner taught eighth-grade math through trigonometry, then moved to the position of counselor in August 2020. She also coached girls’ sports and the academic team.

She has a bachelor’s degree in math education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and a master’s degree in school counseling from East Central University.

She is married to Tim Costner DVM, and their children are daughter Emilee and son-inlaw Ryan McClain of McKinney, Texas, and daughter Meegan Costner, a senior at the University of Oklahoma, Norman.

“I love being a part of the education process of our students,” Costner said. “It takes a lot of time and work, but it is worth it. The most rewarding part of being an educator is not only seeing current students succeed, but also seeing what former students have accomplished after leaving Allen High School.”

Support Staff Member of the Year

High School and Junior High Secretary Lacy Williamson was selected as Support Staff Member of the Year.

Williamson has been at Allen Schools for eight years.

She worked in the cafeteria for seven years, then took a year off to help with the care of her mother. She was hired as High School and Junior High secretary in June 2022.

“I love my position now and getting to see my students and fellow staff daily,” Williamson said.

She is married to Randy Williamson, and has a son, Trent Fronterhouse.

Auxiliary Staff Member of the Year

School Resource Officer Shannon Butler was selected as Auxiliary Staff Member of the Year.

Butler began his career in 1994 with the city of Ada, where he was hired as both a dispatcher and a jailer. Two years later, he was promoted to the patrol division.

“Thus far, I’ve spent almost 30 years as a peace officer in Oklahoma, working for three agencies,” Butler said. “My wife of 32 years, Robbie, and our four kids accompanied me along the way. I came to work for the Allen Schools in August 2022 and enjoy the challenges of a new position. The community has been welcoming, and the students and staff have given me a new home. Having spent only a few months and Allen, I am beyond humbled to be nominated for the award of the Auxiliary Staff Member of the Year. Words cannot adequately express my honor for having received the award. I look forward to continuing along this new path my career has taken. Go Mustangs!”

Action Items

In action items, the board heard a presentation concerning the fiscal year 2022 financial audit, delivered via telephone from the offices of Kerry John Patten, CPA. Kerry Patton gave the results of the audit, which Allen Schools passed without any deficiencies, and the system is in good financial shape.

The board approved the audit.

The board also approved superintendent Jeff Hiatt’s recommendations regarding fiscal year 2024 Allen Public Schools calendar.

“We will be starting school a week earlier next year on August 10th,” Hiatt said. “Graduation next year will be on Friday night instead of Saturday morning as it will be this year.”

Also on the agenda was a vote to approve or disapprove a JUUL settlement of $8,325 with Frantz Law Group.

Allen Schools entered into a class action lawsuit against JUUL Vaping back in November of 2020.

“Schools have been the front line with underage vaping going on,” Hiatt said. “Allen was one of 1,500 school districts. JUUL lost the lawsuit and Allen was awarded $8,325.”

The school board approved the settlement.

The board also voted to approve entering into agreement with Oklahoma State University on a PAX program for the elementary school.

The opening of a new activity fund account for E-Sports was also approved.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the February 13, 2023 Regular Meeting; the fiscal year 20222023 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 287 through 295 ($59,612.93); Child Nutrition Fund numbers 36 and 37 ($63,800); Sinking Fund number 4 ($107,100); Treasurer’s report; Activity Fund report; and a Fundraiser (HS Track).

Administrative Reports

Administrative reports were delivered by the superintendent, maintenance director, cafeteria director and special education director.

Maintenance Director

Maintenance Director Jimmy Wilson gave a report on where the school system is, transportation and facilities wise.

Allen schools is still waiting on one route bus that has been in the shop in Tulsa since September. Wilson also reported on the constant stealing of gas from vehicles parked on campus, and indicated he is looking forward to the completion of the security fence that will go around the buses in the bus parking lot.

He indicated the fence will also hopefully cut down on people throwing their trash away in the school dumpsters which causes a lot of clean up as it blows all over campus when it gets dumped on the ground.

Wilson reported on the buildings’ roofs as all leaks have been fixed for now. He is still working to get water away from school with each rain. After rains, the water runs down the streets and into campus instead of draining out. The school keeps tweaking what they can to prevent standing water after rains.

Wilson said the school plans on replacing the old siding from the after school building that is rotted and an eyesore with sheet metal that will match the rest of the campus.

Cafeteria Director

Cafeteria Director Candice Wilson gave an update on how the cafeteria is doing financially.

She explained to the board how she goes about planning menus and how they must meet federal nutrition code. She commented on the new walk-in freezer that stores mostly commodities and how that has helped her order in bulk. Wilson indicated food prices have gone through the roof and has caused stress on ordering and staying in budget.

Special Education Director

Special Education Director Sheila Glover reported on the random special education audit the school just completed. Allen did not have any deficiencies and is working with an increasing number of students. Allen currently serves more than 120 students through its special education program.