The Allen School Board approved several items March 10 ^th at its regular monthly meeting.

The board entered into executive session to review the superintendent by formal evaluation and meet with the superintendent -- Jeff Hiatt -- on conclusions; discussion of assistant information technology director for the remainder of fiscal year 2022 school year and contract; and drivers education instructor and contract.

Upon returning from executive session, the board hired Dylan Batungbacal as an IT assistant to Dr. Mark Jones, who is planning to resign June 30 ^th , the end of the 2021-2022 school year.

The board also agreed to accept Athletic Director Chad Colbert as driver’s ed instructor for the upcoming summer.

Other Items

Also during the meeting, Special Education Director Sheila Glover delivered a report to the school board. In the report, Glover mentioned that Allen Schools has about 125 kids in the Individualized Education Program.

Hiatt said Allen schools five years ago was probably had half that many.

Glover indicated it wasn’t just Allen, but the number of students in special education is growing statewide as students are qualifying for various reasons.

Action Items

In action items, the board listened to a presentation concerning the fiscal year 2021 financial audit. The presentation was delivered via telephone from the offices of Kerry John Patten, CPA.

The audit is conducted yearly, and Allen Schools passed with no deficiencies.

The board voted to approve the audit.

In other action items, the board approved setting summer driver’s education class fee at $150 per student.

Hiatt said costs associated with the driver’s education class have gone up.

The board also approved the superintendent’s recommendation to terminate extra-duty stipends for slow-pitch softball coaches due to the cancelling of the season because of lack of players to make a team.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the Feb. 14 regular meeting; the fiscal year 2021-2022 Purchase Orders/ Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 243 through 252 ($5,509.59); Child Nutrition Fund number 41 and 42 ($18,000); Treasurer’s report; Activity Fund report; FFA overnight trip for state convention in OKC from May 2 through May 4, and state interscholastic meet in Stillwater on April 22; and FCCLA Fundraisers for Nationals.