Randy MitchellAllen Schools Resumed Classes This Week After Going To Distance Learning Last Week Due To Illness.On January 11 Th , Superintendent Jeff Hiatt Said, “our School Has Been Hit With The Latest Surge Of Covid. Today, We Had More Than 135 O

Allen schools resumed classes this week after going to distance learning last week due to illness.

On January 11 ^th , Superintendent Jeff Hiatt said, “Our school has been hit with the latest surge of Covid. Today, we had more than 135 out of about 450 students and 16 staff members out sick.”

The decision was made the day after the regular meeting of the Allen School Board, January 10 ^th , where Covid was discussed, but nothing concerning closing the schools was mentioned, as the real trouble seemed to start January 11 th .

“It hit us that fast,” Hiatt said. “Monday (January 10 ^th ), we had a few out, but we were able to manage.”

Hiatt said if any students tested positive for COVID-19, and/ or had an elevated temperature, they were sent home.

“Most of those left after they got to school,” Hiatt said. “It wasn’t like they didn’t show up, it was just a revolving door out of here all day long.”

Hiatt indicated he didn’t want to shut down, but his hands were tied.

“I had somebody upset at me, I just said, ‘I can’t make teachers come work that are positive (for COVID-19),’” Hiatt said. “I just can’t. If I don’t have enough staff, I can’t have school. I walked around and we had like three classes, we didn’t have enough teachers, so we had like three classes in one room, which looked like one classroom because we had that many kids gone. But you know that teacher can’t teach three different subjects. It was more or less just babysitting.”

On Monday, an Allen Schools Facebook post read: “Please help us the best you can by monitoring your kids and keeping them home if they are showing any symptoms of Covid, flu or strep. Please call your child’s office and let them know if you have sick ones. For grades P3-5 th call 580-857-2417 x 201 and 6 th -12 th grades please call 580-857- 2417 x 501.”

The Rest of the SB Meeting

Teachers of the Year were announced at the meeting.

Shania Morgan, who teaches Pre-K, was voted elementary teacher of the year by her peers. Joni Hill, who th -8 th social teaches 6 studies, was voted JH/ HS teacher of the year by her peers.

“We will vote on the overall teacher of the year before the February board meeting, and announce it then,” Hiatt said.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the December 13, 2021, regular meeting; the fiscal year 2022 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: General Fund #223-229 -- ($25,774); Treasurer’s Report; Activity Fund Report; and surplus six boxes of elementary non-circulated library books (estimated 300 books).

Action Items

The board approved three of four action items which included the superintendent’s recommendation to allow prom to be held offcampus at Sweet Belle Farms in Holdenville on April 15 ^th ; schools site level Title 1 Parent & Family Involvement Policy; and a districtwide special education handbook.

Another action item, discussion and vote to approve a superintendent evaluation form to be used for evaluation, was tabled until the next meeting.

Executive Session

After returning from executive session, the board approved hiring a custodian for the remainder of fiscal year 2021-22 -- Morgan Sudekan.