The Alva Board of Education had a lot of hiring to do in order to be ready for school sessions, which begin in two weeks. The biggest surprise was an abrupt resignation by AHS/AMS vocal director Bryce Lewis. She received a sudden offer from a school near her Dad in Texas and wanted to take it. Monday night, the board hired Kenneth McIntosh of NWOSU fame who studied under Irene Messoloras and Karsten Longhurst. He is a choral assistant in California and is anxious to return to Alva. Resignations besides Lewis included Bridget Meyer and Ky Pierce.

Other certified teachers hired include Janet Christehnsen, who will teach geography at AMS; Michele Mackey, who will teach third grade at Longfellow; and Sue Whipple, who will handle math and language arts at Alva Middle School (AMS). Ruck Sacket was hired to replace Ky Pfleider in teaching geometry and algebra at Alva High School (AHS).

Non-certified paraprofessional employees hired at AMS include Melissa Beason, Jeanine Cloyd, Joan Martinez, Chesnei Thomas and Cindy Wright.

Meghan Webb was hired as custodian at Lincoln School, and Kennedy McKnight and Maria Samaniego were hired as custodians at AHS. Brandi Hembree was employed as a Title 1 aide at Washington. Micheela Sterling was hired as a paraprofessional at Washington, Jennifer Taylor was employed as a pre-K aide at Longfellow School.

Extra duty contracts for bus driving were approved for Stephen B. Gale, Jeffrey P. Levetzow and Scott A. Baugh.

Superintendent Steve Parkhurst reported that the Goldbug Education Foundation had supplied $10,000 in funds to help the district purchase two 75-inch touch screen white boards.

The superintendent said the district is in good financial shape with the total of all investments in banks coming to $10,995,702.31.

Board member Tiffany Slater asked if the large indoor practice facility will be completed by the start of school. Superintendent Parkhurst said he doubted it, but there was a possibility. The unfinished part fouling things up is incomplete dressing rooms. Slater confirmed that a penalty clause from the promised July 9, 2017, completion date is still applicable, and Parkhurst agreed.

Several items were declared surplus by a vote of the board. One was a greenhouse with frames and panels, as well as 102 Alpha Smart NE02 children's type computers over 15 years old were declared surplus. This also includes storage carts. Three cafeteria tables, one chair rack and a couple of kidney-shaped tables were declared surplus from Longfellow School.

The board agreed to accept math, English and science credit from Northwest Technology Center as equivalent to AHS courses. They also signed an agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education for this fiscal year for technology education courses.

The district agreed to lease five 2018 school buses from Ross Transportation for $15,000 per bus per year for this fiscal year. The district has reduced maintenance costs by leasing buses and changing them out each school year.

A contract was agreed to with a firm that files the paperwork for eRate services to the Alva district. This service helps reduce internet costs. This year, Pioneer Telephone will charge the district $33,313. This amount will be reduced somewhat by the eRate project. Parkhurst said this may be the final year of this help.

A new portable classroom has been erected at Washington School at a cost of $81,000. Work on installing plumbing and electrical supply is continuing.