Randy MitchellThe Allen Schools Board Of Education Swore In New Member Brooke Baber Monday At Its Regular Meeting.Former Board Member And President Jami Rinehart Was Running To Retain Seat 2, But Rinehart Moved Out Of The District And Was Not Eligible

The Allen Schools Board of Education swore in new member Brooke Baber Monday at its regular meeting.

Former board member and president Jami Rinehart was running to retain Seat 2, but Rinehart moved out of the district and was not eligible to win the seat. However, because the move came after the election deadline, the election was held anyway with Baber winning the seat.

Before the swearing in, Rinehart addressed the board and those in attendance.

“I just want to say that I appreciate the school board for what each one of you bring to the table,” Rinehart said. “I also want to say I appreciate Brenda (Robertson, minutes clerk to the Allen Board of Education) very much. She is a key part of this school, and people don’t value her as much as they should. Mr. Hiatt, I think you’re the greatest thing that has come to Allen School System in a long time. I might be a little bit biased, but anyway.”

Rinehart wished Baber well and said she will do a good job.

“I’m going to miss y’all,” Rinehart said. “And y’all keep going at it, standing up for our children, because that’s why you’re here. Anyways, thank you.”

Hiatt then presented Rinehart with a plaque for five years of outstanding and dedicated service as a board member.

“We’ve been through a lot, just since I’ve here,” Hiatt said, “and, Jami, you’ve done a great job. I think what I most respect about you is, you’ve got something to say, you say it.”

Action items

In action items, the board acknowledged the official results from the Pontotoc County Election Board for the annual school election held April 5, 2022.

Newly elected board member, Brooke Baber, Seat 2, read the oath of office.

The board took action regarding the annual reorganization. Board member and former president Robert Hammonds nominated Vice-President Kelly Hurt for president. Hurt accepted and the board agreed.

Hurt nominated board member Frank Bell for vice president, and Ron Batey to remain as board clerk. The board agreed. The board approved adding new president Kelly Hurt and clerk Ron Batey to the signature card at Farmers State Bank.

The board approved and auditor engagement letter and contract for audit of fiscal year 2022 with Kerry Patten, CPA. The board approved a Resolution for Schools and Libraries Universal Services (E-Rate) for 2022-2023. The resolution authorizes filing of the Form 471 application(s) for funding year 2022-2023 and the payment of the applicant’s share upon approval of funding and receipt of services.

The board approved a senior class trip on April 28 to EPIC Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie, Texas.

The board approved the junior high girls’ basketball overnight team camp trip to Calera on May 23-24; high school girls’ basketball overnight team camp trip to Oilton on May 29-30; and out-of-state overnight high school girls’ team camp trip to Branson, Missouri on June 21-24.

The board approved amending school board policy EGG “Prohibition of Race and Sex Discrimination in Curriculum and Compliant Process”, to bring policy up to date with new law passed by state legislation.

Consent agenda

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the March 10 regular meeting; the fiscal year 2021-2022 Purchase Orders/Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 255 through 262 ($41,089.34); Child Nutrition Fund number 43 ($20,000); Sinking Fund number 3 ($4,200); the Treasurer’s report; and the Activity Fund report. The consent agenda also included the temporary Appropriations for the fiscal year 2022-2023: General Fund $6,650,000; Building Fund $305,000; and Child Nutrition Fund $510,000; and Supplemental Appropriations Form 307 for fiscal year 2022 for Child Nutrition Fund $42,944.08.

Hiatt said auditors come in and estimate what to appropriate for the system but won’t know for sure until June when the system closes out its fiscal year, then it will be adjusted.

Executive session

The board entered into executive session, and, upon returning, conducted new hirings, rehiring’s and accepted reignitions.

Michaela Richbourg was hired to be the new junior high special education teacher.

The following certified staff, administrators and directors were hired back for the fiscal year 22-23 school year.

Certified staff

1. Jolene Bakken

2. Ronna Clark

3. Chad Colbert

4. Lesli Costner

5. Tee Henry

6. Kristy Hiatt

7. Joni Hill

8. Kaci Johnson

9. Stacy Laden

10. Lindsey Laxton

11. Greg Mills

12. Julie Mills

13. Shania Morgan

14. Lisa Peay

15. Allie Plunk

16. Jessy Ross

17. Cheryl Rowsey

18. Jan Rutherford

19. Greg Sanders

20. Pam Sanders

21. Sue Sanders

22. Melissa Sells

23. Dottie Slabaugh

24. Kevin Slabaugh

25. Terra Wainscott

26. Jonathan Walden

27. LeeAnna Williams

Administrative Office and Directors

1. Joe Bakken

2. Lisa Cundiff

3. Brenda Robertson

4. Mary Pat Sappenfield

5. Jimmy Wilson

Principals

1. Chris Grimm

2. Amy Mayhue

The board also accepted the following resignations due to retirement:

1. Georgia Gray, retiring as junior high special education teacher.

2. Johnna Shires, retiring as 4 year old assistant pre-k teacher.

3. Juanita Hamilton, retiring as elementary custodian.

The board accepted the following resignations:

1. Morgan Sudekum, resigning her elementary custodian position.

2. Abby Thompson, resigning her elementary after school program position.