A couple of weeks ago, the Alva School Board held a special meeting to allow two architectural firms make presentations as to why they should be hired to design an addition to Alva High School (AHS). Both firms gave impressive PowerPoint-type presentations and handed out beautifully printed color brochures showcasing their work.

At Monday night's meeting, President Jane McDermott inquired of the other four board members if they wanted to see more presentations, or if they were content. After a brief discussion, Tiffany Slater made a motion to hire Tri-Arc, and Shane Hansen made the second. The motion passed unanimously. The most recent work they've done in the area was for Northwest Technology Center in Alva and Fairview.

McDermott explained at a Kiwanis meeting last week that the district needs handicapped accessible band and vocal areas. In fact, the high school band students are bused from AHS to the Alva Middle School (AMS) each day so they can practice there. Also, more parking is desperately needed around AHS.

The Alva district will pay off the last bond issue in about a year. The board believes this would be an appropriate time to make adjustments in the school facilities to solve problems.

Superintendent Steve Parkhurst gave his monthly financial report, saying the district continues to be in good financial shape. Gross production tax revenues are up about $17,000 from last month. The general fund revenue for fiscal year 2018 is expected to be $10,562,704.39 compared to $9,718,500.60 a year earlier. The total value of certificates of deposit placed in four local banks by the Alva School District is $12,283,679.31.

In staff changes, AMS teacher Jeff Levetzow submitted his retirement notice after 30 years with the Alva district. Parkhurst said he might continue to drive a school bus. A new math teacher, Dakota Buckhaults, will sign on after he completes this year at the Aline-Cleo schools. Also, from Boise City, Mendi White will join the math teaching staff. Michael Shklar received an extra-duty contract to coach girls' track at AMS. Shannon Drew turned in her resignation as AHS cheerleader sponsor. LaLonie Kern, using a full-length page, made a play on Dr. Suess's "Green Eggs and Ham" that emphasized how MUCH she no longer wanted to have concession stand responsibilities.

The board approved two requests by Randy Nation for out-of-state travel. One trip will be in April to Ft. Scott, Kansas, and the other will be later in April to the Hutchison, Kansas, livestock judging contest.

Two fundraising requests were approved – one was by the 150-member Key Club to help raise funds for the funeral expense of AHS senior Korry Day. His funeral was held Monday at the high school. The other request came from the AHS soccer team to raise $200 for soccer balls, referee fees and other equipment. The fundraising event will be an alumni soccer game with a gate charge.

In other purchases, the district will continue the lease for software for the school accounting system. They also agreed to use the OKTLE teacher evaluation service for the next school year. The board approved rehiring the following list of certified teachers for 2018-19:

Alva Certified Staff 2018-2019

Adair, Kasey D.

Almgren, Kandee A.

Argo, April D.

Barnett, Danielle M.

Baugh, Scott A.

Benson, Sherrie J.

Bradt, Cara R.

Bradt, Nicholas J,

Buckhaults, Yesenia

Carothers, Tabitha L.

Chapman, Terry G.

Claflin, Michael E.

Claflin, Tami L.

Clapp, Crystal D.

Cole, Karolyn O.

Collins, Kanon R.

Cotton, Whitney R.

Cushenberry, Danielle M.

Denton, Gena K.

Dollar, B. Bruce

Drew, Shannon J.

Duncan, Tammy s.

Eckhardt, Christopher C.

Eckhardt, Sara D.

Egner, Mandy D.

Fraire, Christa M.

Gagnon, Georgianna J.

Gale, Stephen B.

Gilchrist, Kayla E.

Gingrich, Chasity L.

Green, Mary A.

Hamilton, Paul W.

Hammer, Janelle A.

Heaton, Jaci L.

Hooper, Cody W.

Horn, Dustin G.

Hurst, Cherie E.

Killman, Kelli J.

Kornele, Chelsea N.

Leiter, Cynthia L.

Levetzow, Lianne

Lovelace, Sherrye A.

Maharry, Melissa s.

Manning, Dana L.

Mata, Tiffany N.

McClure, Gregory D.

McMurphy, Megan S.

Mead, Karen L.

Meyer, Dixie J.

Miranda, Rebecca A.

Murrow, Alesa M.

Nation, Randal L.

Olbert, F. Gene

Olive, Audra L

Peace, Brandl N.

Pfleider, Cherri R.

Pfleider, Linda D.

Phillips, Peter E.

Phillips, Tanya E.

Potter, Hattie R.

Rader, Teresa M.

Scalise, Lydia S.

Schwerdtfeger, Taylor J.

Self-Hill, M. Dawn

Shklar, K. Michael Jr.

Simon, Halah R.

Starbuck, Krista L.

Stout, Rose Mary

Stroud, Deborah M.

Vore, Shannon M.

Walker, Sierra R.

Wanger-Beiswanger, Misty

Whitely, Marisa D.

Wilson, Ryne A.

Woods, Kell 1.

Wooten, Kendi L.

Wooten, Rhett J.

Wren, Julie D.

Wynn, Traci L.

Tyree, Mary L.

Whipple, Sue A.