The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

With the lack of a second to approve a 2020-21 contract for Principal Stacy McDaniel, the Frenchman Board of Education is on the search for a new principal for the coming year. The failure to approve the contract for McDaniel came during a meeting in Fleming last Tuesday evening.

According to meeting minutes, the Board of Education voted to enter into an executive session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter regarding the Principal at 7:24 p.m. That closed-door meeting lasted until 8:14 p.m. when board members voted to return to the regular, March meeting.

Following the closed-door meeting, a motion was made to approve the 2020-21 contract for McDaniel, however, the motion died due to a lack of a second and a vote did not follow.

“The decision to not renew her contract was very difficult,” Superintendent Steve McCracken said in later follow up. “But it is what is best for our students, staff and school.”

At the start of the March 24 meeting, parents Bo and Brianne Vandenbark spoke during open forum and in doing so, filed a complaint with the administration. According to follow up with McCracken after the meeting, he said the Vandenbarks came to the meeting to address concerns with the administration and their son’s education.

Staff reports followed the open forum, beginning with the Principal’s report from McDaniel, who updated board members about recent activities at school. She said the District hosted Bobby Brown, who spoke to students about making good life choices. McDaniel also touched on topics about the recent S-CAP review, FFA week, FBLA week and celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday. She also told board members how the District is supporting students and families during the extended school closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

McCracken opened his report with an update on the food service program. He said during the extended closure, food service staff members are providing snacks and lunches for students. He also noted that all State assessments have been suspended for the year due to the current COVID-19 situation and that the Colorado Department of Education is developing a waiver for school districts in regards to attendance and hour requirements.

Additionally, McCracken told the BOE that health insurance premiums for employees will increase by more than six percent for the coming year.

While approving the consent agenda, board members added Kylie Chamberlain to the substitute teaching list and also accepted a resignation from Brenda Lechman as the Vocational Business Teacher. Her resignation is effective at the end of the current school year. The District is currently advertising for Lechman’s position as well as McDaniel’s.

To kick off action items, the BOE voted to approve the 2020-21 school calendar as well as the 2020-21 salary schedule. McCracken said next year’s calendar is very similar to this year’s with 152 days for students. School will begin on Aug. 13 and run through May 21.

There were no changes to the salary schedule from the current year.

Board members approved a motion to purchase cameras for school busses in the amount of $9,656. According to McCracken, the District purchased three cameras for route busses that will hopefully be installed this spring.

At the end of action items, the BOE approved probationary and non-probationary contracts for staff members for the coming year. Contracts approved during the meeting include those for: Cheri Bornhoft, Amy Brekel, Lisa Chintala, Karl Donnelson, Trish Etl, Derek Feather, Kortney Firme, Jessica Japp, Cindy Johnson, Denise King, Kelly Schmidt, Krystal Stone, Christy Stumpf, Randy Stahley, Shauna Crossland, Deron Feather, Hailey Ruff, Becky Harms and Arika Lippstrew.

The next meeting of the Frenchman Board of Education is slated for April 21 at 6 p.m. in the Fleming School/Community Library.