"This has been great," Mayor Kelly Parker told the Alva Board of Education Tuesday, Sept. 3. Parker was one of the participants in the five day-long strategic planning sessions held during the previous school year. He attended the Tuesday meeting as chairman of the personnel committee of strategic planning group.

After being introduced by AHS Principal Les Potter, Parker updated the board on implementation of personnel recommendations. This summer research was done on scheduling options for providing a Professional Learning Community (PLC) time during school at all sites. Administrators reached out to several other schools to see how they implement PLC's into their schedules to be most effective.

Parker said education colleges throughout Oklahoma have been contacted to seek more student teachers and post available positions on their job posting website.

They also developed a recruitment packet to connect potential employees and their spouses to local jobs, housing, churches and other community resources. The local Chamber of Commerce shared a welcome packet the school can distribute to potential employees, and Superintendent Tim Argo composed a letter about the Alva school district.

Parker explained goals for this fall continuing on into next summer.

Board member Karen Koehn asked Parker the best thing about the strategic planning, and he answered that it was "really well organized." The process produced a "good common vision," he said. Asked about the worst thing, Parker said there's a temptation to go through a process like this and then put it on the shelf and forget it. He's hopeful the strategic planning goals will continue to be implemented.

In the area of district resources, Supt. Argo said after taking a look at resources Steve Ellis, transportation director, is forming a transportation committee, and Kaitlyn Bouziden, IT director, is forming a technical resources committee.

Fundraisers Approved

The Alva High School Cheerleaders requested approval for a fundraiser accepting donations to help pay for their trip to Nationals. The high school track team wants to run the concession stand at the next home football game Sept. 13 against Watonga with proceeds to be used for the track program. Both fundraisers were approved.

Resignations and Hiring

Supt. Argo reported the resignations of Marisha Hendrick and Terry Chapman. Later the board approved hiring Dakota Buckhaults as a route bus driver to replace Chapman.

Travel Requests

FFA members and sponsors would like to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Oct. 30- Nov. 2. That request was approved.

The AHS Cheer Team has been invited to the NCA Senior High National Competition in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 31-Feb. 2. The board also approved that travel request.

Committees Approved

The Internal Activities Committee for this fiscal year was approved. Potter explained that this committee is appointed each year, and they review student absences above the ten day policy of the district. Members of the committee are Potter, Mike Shklar, Dustin Horn, Misty Wanger-Beiswanger, Randy Nation, and parent Shawn Caldwell.

The Gifted and Talented Committee was also approved with school and parent representation. That committee is made up of Alex Mantz and Kendra Schnebel, parents of elementary students; Karen Mead and Danielle Cushenbery, elementary teachers; Jessica Kreigh, parent of middle school student; Kasey Adair, middle school teacher; Melanie Gaisford, parent of high school student; Dalton Beeler, high school teacher; Eilene Little field, Jaci Heaton and Misti Beiswanger, counselors; and Stephanie Marteney, administrator.

Extra Duty Assignments

Added to the extra duty assignments list were Chance Davis as assistant softball coach for the middle school, Ty Hooper as head football coach for the middle school and head basketball coach for sixth grade boys, and Jaclyn Weathers as high school academic team sponsor.

Financials

In the finance report, Argo reported that gross production tax revenue continues to be down but the Alva district is better off than most.

The superintendent explained several expenditures on the August general fund report. Integrity General Contracting was paid $5,900 for fixing guttering, roof and down spouts at Longfellow Elementary. A purchase of $4,000 from Pender's Music was for AHS and AMS vocal music. Fair Plumbing, Heat and Air replaced an HVAC unit at Longfellow School for $6,600.

The district spent $4,495 with Apple for AHS classroom computers. PCS Edventures was paid $6,695 for drones for the AHS aeronautics class. Another $3,599.99 to Vex Robotics, Inc. purchased robot kits for the class, and another $1,200 to Ozobot paid for aeronautics curriculum.

Argo said the district paid $23,421 to STS Education of active panels including some that are mobile. A 2014 Setra Coach Bus was purchased from REV Coach Texas for $150,000. District AR software was purchased for $9,571.50 from Renaissance Learning Systems. And Argo said a purchase of $3,250 from Quaver Music would help promote thinking skills through music.

In the child nutrition fund, Fair Plumbing was paid $2,010 for cafeteria hand sinks. Argo said these additional sinks were required by the state health department. There were also some oven repairs at a cost of $1,600 at the high school.