Allen Schools Superintendent Jeff Hiatt spoke to the Allen School Board September 12^th at its regular meeting concerning false rumors.

Prior to the meeting, Hiatt told the Allen Advocate that there were false rumors going around on social media that the board had to have a special meeting because it was forced to borrow $900,000, due to it being short by that amount on bond projects.

This, despite the fact that it was mentioned in an August edition of the Allen Advocate that the school district would have to sell $900,000 in General Obligation Building Bonds, per a vote of the people.

Basically, the board was to take bids, and the winner would be the bidder with the smallest amount of interest.

And that occurred at a special meeting, held September 4^th .

“We sold $900,000,” Hiatt said. “We did two years, because the interest rates are really low right now. I think we got like a 1.8 (% interest), which is really good. It’s almost like free money.”

The winning bid was made by Vision Bank of Ada. Hiatt said the school district received bids from St. Louis,

Oklahoma City and Edmond. The bids ranged from 1.8 to 2.5 % interest.

And because the interest rates were so low, the board passed it for next year at $900,000 as well. Hiatt said predictions indicate interest rates will be higher next year, so it is a boon for the system to lock in the 1.8% interest now.

“You want to lock in as low as you can,” Hiatt said. “You can only do like two years out.”

Addressing the Board

During administrative reports, Hiatt addressed the board concerning the rumors, and also an update on his health. Hiatt had open-heart surgery over the summer.

“It’s been great to be back,” Hiatt said. “I’d like to thank my principals and my directors for stepping up and filling in while I was gone. The two or three weeks before (classes begin) are some of the busiest times of the year, especially this year. We worked hard to get our schools ready for our kids with new facilities and procedures.

“I’d also like to thank all the people who kept me in their prayers and checked on me during my surgery and recovery,” Hiatt continued. “I want to say to you how encouraging and overwhelming it is to me that there’re so many selfless people in our community, and I appreciate you.”

Hiatt said for the record, his mitral valve had broken, which is why he needed open-heart replacement valve surgery.

“To squelch also false rumors, I’m extremely healthy now, and I am not resigning due to health reasons. I’m more determined now than ever to work even harder to make this school the best it can be, one the community can be proud of.”

Hiatt said they have moved into the new buildings, but there are some finishing touch-ups needed in the new gymnasium. He said as soon as possible, they will announce an open house where anyone who’s interested can visit and check out the buildings and facilities.

“I want to remind everyone that Homecoming is next week (Friday),” Hiatt said. “I also want to remind everyone to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. A lot of our parents are using that and getting good information, because we try to keep it current. We have a full schedule and I encourage you to come and support our kids.”

Hiatt said he wanted to address more rumors that are not true.

“We had a special meeting September 4^th to sell bonds,” Hiatt said. “After a school passes a bond project like we did two years ago, we have to sell bonds annually to pay back the debt. At the last board meeting, we sold, on schedule, $900,000 in bonds, which are used, according to the schedule, to pay back our debt. This is done on every bond and will be done annually until our bond project is paid off. I strongly encourage anyone who has any questions regarding the school, or anything about the school, to call me and I’ll gladly try to explain or answer any question you might have. I greatly appreciate those who do call me, and did call me, to get the facts and not the rumors.”

Hiatt said he looks forward to answering any future questions that people may have.

“In conclusion, I’d like to thank my school board members for all the volunteer time, and long, thankless hours that you put in serving this community,” Hiatt said. “I want to thank our teachers and staff for serving our kids. I want to thank all the parents and community members for supporting not our school, but your school. This is your school. This school, we want to serve our community. It’s not about us, it’s about the community and our kids. I look forward to a great year, where we always put our kids fi rst. Thank you.”

Discussion Items

The annual public meeting to discuss “Title I” also took place during the board meeting. The purpose was to inform the board, parents and community members about the federal program, and then for the board to discuss and make recommendations of supplemental services in the elementary program.

Title 1 is a federal program that provides funds to schools and school districts serving high numbers of economically disadvantaged children. Its goals are to ensure that high-risk students meet at least the minimum proficiency on state academic standards and assessments, and that they have a fair opportunity to earn a high-quality education.

During discussion items, school administration indicated that all parents/ students need to turn in the free and reduced lunch forms, whether they qualify or not. It helps the school receive more funds from the federal government through Title 1.

More funds from the program helps all Allen Elementary School students.

Title I funds are used to implement programs and services that would not be available if it were not for the federal funds. If Title I funds were not available to do a certain activity, the district would not do it.

Amy Mayhue, elementary school principal, addressed the board concerning the issue.

“Title 1 is based on how many students turn in those free and reduced lunch forms,” Mayhue said. “Our percentage right now is 78.8. We can work on that a little bit, probably, making sure every student gets a form explaining to parents that every form matters, not just if you qualify or not.”

Hiatt said he’s had people tell him, “Well, I’m not going to qualify,” so they don’t turn in the forms.

“Even if they don’t qualify, then don’t fi ll it out, at least we can count that (they) turned it in,” Hiatt said

Mayhue cited a “wonderful report” which was created by Mary Pat Sappenfield, former elementary school principal. Mayhue said the report basically states that every child at the school will be affected by the funds in some way.

“It talks about how, in the past, they’ve used Title 1 funds for the early childhood 4 year old program, and the computer lab,” Mayhue said. “We’ve also used those for anything supplemental learning, curriculum and things like that -- reading, math and language arts.”

Title 1 funds have also been used for technology at the school.

“This year, our partnership with Big 5 is going to be including additional support for a 4 year old program, because we added a (teacher for 4 year olds) and added a paraprofessional, so that is going to be used for that as well,” Mayhue said. “These positions are partially funded by Big 5.”

Administrative Reports

As well as Hiatt, administrative reports were delivered by Mayhue and Chris Grimm, junior high and high school principal.

Amy Mayhue

“We had a great few weeks. We’ve really settled in, the kids have settled in,” Mayhue said. “I’m really proud of this, LeeAnna Williams worked her little tail off and she has completed almost all of our literacy screeners. We are a week ahead of schedule, so that our interventions can start as soon as possible.”

Mayhue had high praise for her teachers and students.

“We’re all having a great time with these kids,” she said. “The kids are just wonderful.”

Mayhue said the students have been very polite and respectful, often saying “Yes, ma’am” or “no, ma’am” when responding to questions.

“... They were wonderful,” she said. “And I don’t have a single issue of behavior that’s not just like normal kid stuff.”

Chris Grimm

Grimm said he could echo what Mayhue said about the students. He said there have only been one or two issues a day concerning students, wish is “just typical run of the mill discipline issues,” he said.

“My big concern has been the junior high,” Grimm said, “getting those people moved into their building, into the new part. We finally got in there, but they’re kind of getting settled in, getting internet hooked up ... “

Grimm said students and teachers love the new building.

“When I gave them the green light to go ahead and move in, they got it done before the day was over, for the most part,” Grimm said. “They could function, they were ready. The kids were ready to help them get moved in.”

Now, every teacher has a room.

“Nobody is having to share at this point, and that’s a big deal,” Grimm said.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was approved by the board, and consisted of the following items:

The fiscal year 2019-2020 purchase orders and encumbrances: general fund numbers 158 through 176, ($24,210.40); building fund numbers 24 through 25, ($3,000); child nutrition fund numbers 25 through 34, ($162,750).

Also on the agenda was the treasurer’s report, activity fund report, committees for fi scal year 2020, including gifted and talented; professional development; Safe-Fit and Healthy Schools (Wellness); reading sufficiency; Title I and Title II; estimate of needs for the year ending June 30, 2020; and fundraisers for fiscal year 2020.

Action Iitems

The board approved all action items, which included FCCLA travel to the National FCCLA Fall Conference in Dallas, Texas, November 15-17; FFA travel to the National FFA Contest in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 28 - November 1; entering into contract with Paula Slawson, school psychologist for testing in fi scal year 2020; and a “resolution to endorse the CCOSA Blended/Virtual Learning Framework that includes standards for high quality blended and virtual education, and to utilize the tenets of the framework in the development of new blended/virtual learning opportunities, or in the assessment of existing blended/virtual learning programs.”

Executive Session

The board entered into executive session to discuss personnel and other issues.

Upon returning from the session, the board accepted the resignation of Debra Lewis as special education teacher and director, and then hired Sheila Glover as special education director.

The board also approved staff contracts for fi scal year 2020 and hired Jessica Morgan as a custodian.

Also, Chris Grimm will assume athletic director responsibilities.