Information shared at Monday’s Allen School Board meeting indicates that Allen Schools will most likely not take possession of the new addition to the junior high before classes begin August 27^th .

Administrative

Reports

Administrative reports were delivered by Chris Grimm, junior high and high school principal, and Amy Mayhue, elementary school principal. Superintendent Jeff Hiatt was unable to attend.

Chris Grimm

Grimm said the architect was scheduled to conduct a walkthrough of the junior high August 13^th . He said the last work to be performed at the junior high involved the plumbing, of which was one or two things inside the building.

Grimm mentioned the architect’s comments concerning a previous walkthrough at the new gym.

“I think he was very sincere when he told y’all over in the gym that he was glad that y’all came and nitpicked, and actually participated,” Grimm said to the board. “He said most of the time, they just kind of walk in and say, ‘Yeah, this is great.’”

“Some of that wasn’t nitpicking,” board member Kelly Hurt said. “Some of that was serious.”

“Yeah, I think he meant that in a good way,” board member Robert Hammonds said.

“As a picker of nits, I’ll take that,” Kelly said, to much laughter from other board members.

Grimm indicated there is much bureaucratic red tape with the fire marshal’s offi ce, so Allen Schools may not be able to take possession of the new addition of the junior high by start of classes.

“I’m on plan B right now,” Grimm said. “I’m making plans to occupy the old part, which we can do legally.”

Grimm said he is hoping they’ll get a permit from the state fire marshal by the middle of September at the latest.

“I know Ed (McKerley of MacHill Construction) called and texted and emailed the (fi re marshal), and his politically correct response was, ‘Permits are looked at as they are made, in order.’ So, I don’t know how fast they work, I don’t know how many are ahead of us, or anything else.”

Grimm said the architect recommended Allen Schools contact its local representative.

“He kind of explained to me that there is a tug of war between the state fire marshal and the state legislators, because they want more money and the legislators don’t necessarily want to give them more money, so, this is their way of generating at least a conversation.”

Amy Mayhue

In reports concerning the elementary school, Mayhue said the system has taken possession of the new elementary addition and “it’s been great.”

“We’ve moved in,” Mayhue said. “We’re making plans for the sensory lab, that’s kind of our focus right now. The teachers pretty much have everything they need. We have been able to -- with surplus and the furniture we got from the Pontotoc Technology Center -- we have pretty much got their rooms up and going. The library is not quite yet but will be very soon.”

An incident involving a broken window at the new addition of the elementary school was brought up. The board then inquired.

“Someone threw a rock through our back window,” Mayhue replied. “The same weekend after we took possession (of the new addition).”

“Oh, our new building,” Hurt asked. “That is so disappointing.”

Consent Agenda

The board approved the consent agenda which included the fiscal year 2019-2020 purchase orders and encumbrances, fund 11 -- general fund numbers 134 through 157 ($17,937.73); fund 21 --building fund number 23 ($500); fund 22 -- child nutrition fund number 24 ($4,000); fund 33 – 2017 construction bond fund numbers 2 through 9 ($462,050.31).

The consent agenda also included the treasurer’s report; the activity fund report; travel Requests: TR-23 to TR-26 (Career Tech Summer Conference); transfer $16,000 from the activity fund extended day account to the general fund.

Also on the consent agenda was 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 June 30, 2020, and fundraiser requests – FCCLA, Girls Basketball and FFA.

Action Items

The board took action on a resolution determining the maturities of, and setting a date, time and place for the sale of the $900,000 General Obligation Building Bonds of the school district.

Brenda Robertson, board secretary, said the board needed to make a motion to have a sale on September 4^th .

The motion was granted.

Potential purchasers will fax or email bids.

Basically, the board will later look at the bids, and the winner will be the bidder with the smallest amount of interest.

“When we sold the fi rst series, it actually came out in our favor,” Board President Jeff Maloy said. “It was less than they projected, the interest. Hopefully it will be the same way with interest rates (currently going down).”

By law, a board member had to read the resolution to authorize and sell the bonds out loud at the meeting. The resolution was read aloud by Jami Rinehart, board clerk.

“The resolution fixing the amount of bonds to mature each year, fi xing the time and place the bonds are being sold, and authorizing the clerk to give notice of said sale as required by law. Whereas the issuance of $7,575,000 of general obligation building bonds by Independent School District Number One in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, has been duly authorized that an election held on the twelfth day of September of 2017 for that purpose. Being whereas $630,000 of the $7,575,000 has previously been sold, issued and delivered. The Board of Education of Independent School District Number One in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma, now desires to sell a second installment of $900,000. Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Education of Independent School District Number One in Pontotoc County, Oklahoma.”

Other Action Items

The board approved the new student handbooks for the upcoming school year, once a few corrections are made.

The board also to approved teaching schedules for the assignments and class upcoming school year.