Randy Mitchell In An Effort To Be More Appealing To Substitute Teachers, During Its Regular Meeting Monday, The Allen Board Of Education Agreed To Raise Pay For Substitutes. The Board Agreed To Raise The Pay For Noncertified Substitutes

In an effort to be more appealing to substitute teachers, during its regular meeting Monday, the Allen Board of Education agreed to raise pay for substitutes.

The board agreed to raise the pay for noncertified substitutes to $70 a day, an increase from $60. The board also agreed to raise the rate for certified substitutes from $75 to $100 a day.

Allen Schools Superintendent Jeff Hiatt said from time to time, when substitutes are not available, teachers cover a class on their planning period.

The action puts an added stress on teachers, so having substitutes available is quite necessary.

The board also agreed to pay teachers $20 an hour for giving up their planning period.

Administrative Reports

In administrative reports, Elementary Principal Amy Mayhue went over reading and math benchmark test scores, and how the school uses the data to place students in reading and mathematics interventions.

Shannon Butler, Allen Schools’ new police resource officer, updated the board on his first three weeks of being on the job.

He indicated he overall impressed but had some issues to address. One being the flow of traffic that goes down the streets, through the campus. Butler also addressed the need to look at all the doors and locks in the buildings. He is currently updating the schools’ emergency plan and plans on doing some drills with teachers.

Discussion Items

Mary Pat Sappenfield, Allen Schools’ federal Program Director updated the board on the system’s federal programs with the emphasis being on Title I. Title I is federal government money proportional to the number of students classified as eligible for free or reduced meals.

Allen Public Schools last year was 80 percent free/reduced for grades PK-8th grade. The number was slightly lower for grades 9-12 at 75%. Sappenfield went over how the district uses the funds to help students get a better equal education.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the August 8 Regular Meeting; the fiscal year 20222023 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 169 through 206 ($106,502.17); Child Nutrition Fund numbers 22 through 30 ($238,010); Building Bond Fund number 2 ($14,550); Sinking Fund number 1 ($453,825); the Treasurer’s report; the Activity Fund report; the Estimate of Needs for the year ending June 30, 2023 (The Estimate of Needs showed the school’s budget and carryover up for fiscal year 2023 from the previous year); and Fundraisers for fiscal year 2023 (Elementary, JH Cheer, Head Start, Library, Yearbook).

The consent agenda also included a travel request for out-ofstate travel and expenses regarding Allen FCCLA attending Fall Conference in Columbus, Ohio, November 9-13, 2022; and Allen FFA attending the Nation Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 26-29.

FFA is attending the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis to receive their National Three Star Chapter Award on the stage.

Action Items

The board approved changes to the JH/HS handbook of no required semester tests.

JH/HS will no longer be required to take semester tests, but unit tests at the end of the semester.

The board also approved the district paying all staff members’ breakfast and lunch for fiscal year 2023.

The board also approved updating OSSBA policy GKF “Disciplinary Action for Misuse of School Bathrooms and Changing Facilities” The board adopted the policy to provide disciplinary action for individuals who refuse to: Use the multiple occupancy restroom or changing area designed for their sex; Designate multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas for the exclusive use of one sex; or Provide access to a single-occupancy restroom or changing area to an individual who does not wish to utilize the multiple occupancy restroom or changing area designed for their sex, provided that such individual is authorized to be on the school premises.

All individuals are expected to comply with Oklahoma law. Individuals who fail to comply with Oklahoma law regarding the use of school bathrooms or changing facilities may be disciplined as follows: Students - Students may be subject to the disciplinary methods listed in the student discipline code.

Staff - Staff members may be subject to disciplinary action. Due process procedures will be followed as required by law or negotiated agreement.

Patrons - Patrons may be removed from the premises for interfering with peaceful orderly conduct in accordance with 21 O.S. §§ 1375 and 1376.

If a complaint is filed with the State Department of Education that the district or an employee is not complying with Oklahoma law on this topic, the board of education will have 15 days to request an opportunity to appear before the State Board of Education and/or submit a written response to address the allegations.

Executive Session

The board entered into executive session, and, upon returning, accepted the resignation of Terri McCarn from the cafeteria staff, and hired Kimberly Chappell to take her place. The board also hired Katrina Thompson as a full-time paraprofessional in the JH/HS. Also approved as amending the extra duty list adding Melissa Sells as the academic coach. The board approved all certified and support contracts for staff on a 165-day contract for fiscal year 2023.