The Allen Parish School Board received a clean audit and great financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, at its Monday night meeting, February 14.
The board also heard construction updates, program reviews, new tools being used to promote education in the parish and approved its minutes from the January meeting.
The board added two new items to Monday’s agenda, including a trip for an FFA group at Oakdale High and a custodial position in Fairview.
The board approved trips for two FFA groups. Kinder’s FFA members will be traveling to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 14-15. The Oakdale FFA members will travel to the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, March 5-6.
The board authorized the superintendent to advertise for a business coordinator, vacated by Lynnsey McClusky, now the board’s finance director, and for a full-day lunchroom technician for Oakdale High and custodian at Fairview High School. Superintendent Kent Reed said the lunchroom technician and custodian were both due to retirements.
The board approved a change order increase for $36,150 for the Allen Parish Track Project at Oberlin High. Reed explained the lanes will be 42-inches instead of the 38-inches previously agreed upon in the project. He said the concrete will be poured to flush against the fence to make the area maintenance free. He said the contractors are doing some painting and other improvements at no cost. He said this was proposed in the original project but removed when bids were higher than anticipated. Since the funding was there, Reed said they would utilize it.
Reed explained a red synthetic track surface will be laid. He explained once the prep work is laid, it will take 30 days to cure before the synthetic surface is poured over it. He expected the track to be completed during the first or second week of May. He said it would not be used this track season, but next year, the new track will allow some track events to be held in the parish.
Reed said Oberlin High will hold graduation at the civic center this year because track improvements may still be underway.
Reed reported there were two maps being considered by the police jury – one with seven members and one with eight members. The board presently has a seven-member board. He said Mike Heffner, demographer with Geographic Planning and Demographic Services, said he could meet with board members during the day to discuss the districts, answer questions, etc. He said he would attempt to schedule a meeting for the board at 1 p.m., Thursday, February 24.
