The Board approved four-year board member Dr. John Thomas to serve as President of the Board, and three-year board member Keith Phillips to serve as Vice President. The Altus Public School District Board of Education approved this reorganization of the Board during their regular meeting held 5 p.m., Monday, March 11, in the Conference Room of the Administrative Center at 219 N. Lee.

The newest Board member Nate Covington was present.

The Board of Education also approved to accept the bid from Rick’s Lawn Sprinklers to install a sprinkler system to the Altus High School game and practice football fields for the amount of $42,650. Board member Darrell Moss raised the question of whether or not it would be better to install AstroTurf for the playing field in order to help with the water conservation effort. It was discussed that the cost of an AstroTurf can reach upwards of $600,000. Superintendent Bob Drury assured that the new sprinkler system design will help save on the water bill and provide more coverage than the current sprinkler system.

After the initial roll and the flag salute led by Phillips, Dr. Thomas noted that the pay request from Vance Hunt Libraries for the High School library furniture and shelving does not require Board action because it has been already been approved by the Altus City Council. Thomas also provided that the Choice of School Enrollment period is May 6-10, and Pre-K enrollment is June 1 at AHS.

The Board approved claims and items on the consent agenda. There were no actions to be taken to amend any current polices.

Accepted school district resignations include certified personnel Pam Booker, Family Consumer Services at Altus High School, effective May 30, Joe McIntyre, Special Education at Altus Intermediate School, May 24, and non-certified personnel Maria Derruisseaux, Secretary of Adult Education, June 30, and Deanna Jones, Crossing Guard at Sunset Elementary, May 24.

Reassignments approved for 2013-2014 school year include certified personnel Kim Allen from Counselor at both AHS and Roosevelt Elementary School to full-time counselor at AHS, Gigi Brickhouse from the Intermediate School to Vocal Music Teacher at the Junior High School, Samantha Gregory from Title I to Counselor at the Intermediate School, Chuck Martin from Alternative Education at Altus Junior High School to Assistant Principal at the Intermediate school, Lori Reden to be full-time counselor at the intermediate school, and Deborah Webb, to be Dean of Students at Bulldog Academy.

Approved non-certified reassignments include Deborah Green go to ISS supervisor at the Intermediate School, and Vicki Heitert from Special Education Aide at Rivers Elementary to Custodian at the Junior High School.

Proposed substitutes, time sheet employees, volunteers, and extra duty assignments were approved by the Board.

Approved certified personnel new hires for the school year 2012-2013 include Roxanne Zoet, Long-term Substitute at Washington Elementary, retroactive Jan. 1, and non-certified Maria West as a four hour cook also at Washington. Approved new hires for 2013-14 is certified Theresa Hill, Elementary Teacher at Rivers Elementary, effective Aug. 7.

The Board approved to acknowledge District audit receipts from Johnston and Ahlschwede, P.C. Certified Public Accountants of Oklahoma City. Certified Public Accountant Linda Ahlschwede commented, “Mr Drury, and your staff, did a wonderful job, and I have absolutely no findings or questioned costs to report to the board at this time.” Dr. Thomas thanked Ahlschwede for her for attending the meeting.

The Board also acknowledged the formal gift donation from architect Jim Atkinson for the Altus school building’s blue print.

For new business, Dr. Thomas indicated “deliberations are under way” on how the District might spend the remaining money left in the MAPS Fund, and hopes there will be and item for discussion at the April meeting.

Dr. Thomas commented on the excellence of the school system. “I know top to bottom, in this school system we have a staff that is concerned, not about making a dollar or coming to school late and going home early, but taking care of the welfare of the kids in this school system.” He continued to thank and recognize school staff members including of AIS including Mrs. McCuistion, Mrs. Baden, Mrs. Berry, GiGi Brickhouse, Blake DeLao, and especially Jay Richeson, Gerry Drury, and Rick Roop.

“I am glad to have Mr. Covington on the board and I am honored to work with such a fine group people. And mostly honored to be able to be involved with this school system.”