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By Candie Fix
Managing Editor 

Haxtun BOE complies with Governor's order; meets via Zoom

 


The past few weeks have been anything but normal in Colorado and across the United States. Locally, that means many changes with the local school system and the new online delivery of education.

Members of the Haxtun Board of Education hosted their March meeting early last week, but not in typical fashion. In order to comply with orders from the Colorado Governor on social distancing, members met online for the short, hour-long meeting.

Superintendent Darcy Garretson hosted the meeting via Zoom, a web-based video conferencing tool. From their own homes, each board member answered roll call to Board Secretary Lynda Firme at the start of the Monday, March 23 meeting, originally moved to fit spring break scheduling.

The online meeting opened with reports from administration. Elementary Principal Becky Heinz said she has been working with primary staff members individually and in small groups to set up times for students to come and pick up materials. All staff are also working to help families who may not have adequate technology in their homes to receive support during this time of online communication and learning.

Heinz also reported on the food service program and food options for all families during the school closure. On the first day, the District served 30 students in order to ensure each child has adequate nutrition.

The Federal government, she said, will pay for every child between the ages of 1 and 18 to have lunch and breakfast throughout the COVID-19 situation. Currently, Haxtun Schools serves meals every week day from 11:30-12:30 p.m. at the grade school main doors as well as delivery to the Clarksville area. On Fridays, meal packages include food for the weekend as well.

There is no need to call ahead or RSVP, families can drive up to the doors and will be greeted by a staff member with meal packages. Heinz stressed that free meals are available to all children between the age of 1 and 18, including out of district and home school students.

High School Principal Alan Nall said much of the same, as high school staff have also been working to make sure each student has resources available to keep up with course work. He said high school staff plans to use online instructions and that some teachers will host class via web-based technology to assist students with course work.

While talking with board members, Garretson said the District plans to come up with a co-parenting, online solution for education without overwhelming parents in doing so. Students picked up necessary school supplies and resources during specific meetings times late last week with online learning beginning March 30.

As of press time, the Governor has set restrictions on in-school learning through April 17.

With a shortened, condensed version of action items, board members tended to just a few items of business during the March meeting. They first adopted a new policy in order to accommodate electronic participation for board meetings. The following motion approved a resolution to authorize action for Superintendent Garretson to give her emergency powers in order to react to changes made almost daily with changes to the COVID-19 situation in Colorado.

Board members also voted to approve employment for administration for the coming school year, including Garretson, Nall and Heinz. Salary changes will be addressed during budget discussions later in the year.

Additionally, the BOE approved a 10-cent increase to all meal prices for the 2021-22 school year. Meal prices were slightly increased last year as well to help offset costs with the food service budget.

At the end of the meeting, Board Member Amy Kilgour asked administration about plans for prom and graduation. As it stands, prom is slated for the day after the Governor has set restrictions for school districts across the State. Garretson said they have not officially canceled the event, but are hoping to reschedule at some point.

There was also discussion on graduation and how that event may be held if restrictions are not lifted by that date; May 17. While it is the wishes of administration and the Board to not make any changes, many acknowledged that it may take some out-of-the box thinking if things have not returned to normal operations by that time.

 

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