Erik Johnson, the incoming district attorney for Pontotoc, Hughes and Seminole counties, visited with the Allen Board of Education at Monday’s regular meeting.

Johnson is scheduled to take office January 1, 2023.

He spoke to the board and emphasized that his office working with schools will be his number one priority.

Johnson indicated he wants all agencies to coordinate and work together in a proactive way when it comes to school safety. The action comes in light of the deadly May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Johnson’s visit to Allen Schools is part of his plan to make safety the premier goal of his office while he is serving as district attorney.

Johnson has previously told this journalist that he’s planning to visit all local governing bodies and attend city council meetings in District 22 in the next several months, as well as visiting with school boards, superintendents and principals.

“They are going to be great allies in this,” he said.

New Hires

Several people were hired to fill remaining open positions in the district, meaning Allen Schools is fully staffed for the upcoming year, Superintendent Jeff Hiatt said.

The board hired Monte Johnson as high school science teacher. Johnson previously taught at Allen Schools for many years before retiring.

The board also hired Kayleigh Bailey as elementary physical education teacher, and Shannon Butler as a teacher/resource officer.

The board also approved contracts of employees more than 10 months, and accepted the resignation of a paraprofessional, Brooke Taylor.

Discussion Items

In discussion items, Family and Consumer Science Teacher Taryn Wofford and student Keenan Walker visited with the board. Walker was one of six Allen students who recently attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America´s (FCCLA) National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California.

Walker won first place overall in his category. He appeared before the board Monday and gave the speech that he delivered in San Diego.

Those who attended the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego were Keenan Walker - Career Investigation - First Place overall and gold medal; Addison Prentice - Promote and Publicize FCCLA - Third overall and gold medal; Aniston Weeks - Chapter Service Project - Top 10 overall and gold medal; Ava Laden and Malloree Howard - Promote and Publicize FCCLA - Top 10 overall and silver medals; and Maddox Wofford - Focus on Children - silver medal.

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the June 13, 2022, and June 28, 2022, Regular Meetings and June 28, 2022, Special Meeting; the fiscal year 2022-2023 Purchase Orders and Encumbrances: General Fund numbers 109 through 121 - ($28,244); the Treasurer’s Report; the Activity Fund Report; a contract agreement for Career and Technology Education Programs Allocations (Ag Education, Business and Information Technology Education and Family and Consumer Sciences) for the year ending 6/30/2023; a contract with Dr. Mark Jones for IT fiscal year 2023; renewing procurement plan for the child nutrition program for fiscal year 2023; fiscal year 2023 Oklahoma State Minimum and Allen Salary Schedule for Teachers; and 2022-223 Travel Requests TR-1 thru TR-96.

Action Items

In action items, two lease purchases were on the agenda. The purchases -- from 2013 and 2017 -- must be approved each July.

Up first was the renewal of the Sublease Agreement dated December 1, 2017, between the School District and Pontotoc County Educational Facilities Authority for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, as required under the provisions of the agreements.

Second was the renewal of the Qualified Zone Academy Bond Lease for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, as required under the provisions of the Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement dated September 1, 2013, between the District and Zions First National Bank.

The board approved both action items.