The Allen men have jumped to the #9 spot in Class A rankings while the Lady Mustangs sit at 17. Both teams brought home hardware from the Pontotoc Conference tournament last week. The girls earned 2nd place honors while the boy’s 3rd place. Thursday the Lady Mustangs faced a common foe, Calvin, for the second time. Allen won the contest 43-37. Kaylee Davis was the Mustangs leading scorer with 14. Cherish Woodward pulled down 5 rebounds Allen continued Page 2 Garrett Nix and the Allen men are currently ranked #9 in Class A By Randy Mitchell The Allen Board of Education approved making improvements to the locks on buildings belonging to the school system.

The matter was listed on the consent agenda Monday during the board’s regular meeting.

“They (board members) approved having a locksmith come in and re-key the whole school and fix all the locks on the doors for security,” Superintendent Jeff Hiatt said.

Hiatt indicated the action will modernize the school’s locks and make the schools safer.

Also, during the meeting, it was mentioned that no one filed to run against two board members.

Mike Todd will stay on and serve a fiveyear term, while Mario Gonzales will stay on and serve a fouryear term -- the time remaining for the seat vacated by previous board member Brook Baber.

The board entered into executive session, and, upon returning, extended a contract to a long-term substitute, Catrina Thompson. Thompson was hired through the first semester, but the board extended her employment for the rest of the school year.

The board also assigned a JOM ( Johnson- O’Malley) sponsor, Lindsey Thompson.

The board discussed the possible purchase of land.

A house and the property on which it sits recently went up for sale, and the school system owns all the property around it.

Hiatt indicated that the board believes that the seller wants too much money for the property, so the school will pass on purchasing it.

Consent Agenda The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the November 14, 2022, Regular Meeting; the fiscal year 2022-2023 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: Fund 11; General Fund numbers 255 through 265 ($79,283.93); Fund 22 – Child Nutrition funds 31 through 34 ($63,850); Treasurer’s report; Activity Fund report; Fundraiser (Class of 2026; and Surplus List (Gym Weights).