Author photo

By Candie Fix
Managing Editor 

Uncertainty remains regarding next school year

 


The ending to the 2019-20 school year and the recent COVID-19 pandemic has left many parents and community members wondering what the coming year will look like. Even with the 2020-21 school year approaching quickly, Superintendent Darcy Garretson told Haxtun Board of Education members during a Tuesday night meeting last week that there is still so much unknown at this point.

“I held an all-staff meeting earlier in the month to share the information I had,” she told board members in her administration report at a June 16 meeting. “It was good to see so many faces again. As you are all aware, guidance changes daily, so we are in a wait and see mode overall.”

Garretson added that she, along with principals Alan Nall and Becky Heinz and District Bookkeeper Lynda Firme, are planning for several scenarios that they will begin to roll out beginning in July.

“Lots of community members have questions and concerns about school start up, please let people know that no decisions have been made,” Garretson told the BOE.

Along the same lines, Nall reported some positive changes in activities this summer. He said that several clubs and groups are picking back up with scheduled events including several sports camps, FFA activities and a Future Business Leaders of America blood drive slated for July.

The June meeting also brought several notifications in staffing changes for the coming year, beginning with the announcement that Heinz plans to begin her transition into retirement. According to Garretson, Heinz will retire at the end of the month and will be in her transition year for the coming school year. She added that Heinz plans to leave a year following for a possible second transition year.

The BOE also accepted a resignation letter from High School Language Arts Teacher Amy Schadegg. Her letter read in part, “It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to all of you. When I left the school on May 18 I had officially taught for 25 years — 10 in Nebraska and 15 in Colorado. When COVID hit the Country, I was lost. Teaching and learning were all done on the computer. I could do little of what the other teachers were capable of doing; I felt and still feel inadequate. I feel that it is my time to leave teaching. I know there is a fresh, new teacher out there ready to take the challenge. My 15 years in Haxtun were great, but I am tired. The drive to Haxtun from Sterling was wearing on me, especially in the winter months. I have seen the lack of respect from my students growing more than ever. To me, it is very disheartening for the future.”

Schadegg went on to thank the BOE for the support given to teachers. “As for the administration, what can I say?” she wrote. “You are all amazing people!”

Haxtun Schools is currently seeking a high school language arts teacher with the possibility of yearbook and other sponsorships as needed. For more information, contact the high school office at (970) 774-6111.

It was also noted, at the meeting, that Jessica Hofmeister will move from the Kindergarten classroom to the third grade. Garretson said kindergarten class numbers for the coming year do not warrant the need to split the class, however, third grade numbers do. Hofmeister will teach a second class of third graders alongside Amanda Ridlen.

During action items, board members voted to hire 12-month employees along with fall and winter coaches before adoption the budget for the coming year, which included a salary increase for certified staff members.

The 2020-21 budget reflects increased in PERA, employer increase to 20.9 percent, a health insurance increase of 10 percent and a step increase of 1.5 percent per staff member. Garretson recommended a 1.5 percent increase for staff members with the exemption of those who are on the part B early retirement plan, as their will increase more to reflect the agreement made with them last year, and an increase in Nall’s compensation by five percent to put him in line with other principals in the area with similar experience.

The following 10 and 12-month employees were hired: Mimi Weaver, Jessica Firme, Lynda Firme, Stacy Wagoner, Joe Bivins, Sherrie Speaker and Jerry Wagoner. The following fall and winter coaches were also hired for the coming year: high school football, JD Stone and Marc Bornhoft; high school volleyball, Paige Thompson and Don Schelling; high school girls’ basketball, Arlan Scholl and Alicia Schram; high school boys’ basketball, Bryce Bivins and Jayden Steib; high school cheer, Jessica Firme; junior high football, Bornhoft and Bivins; junior high volleyball, Kaitlin Bornhoft and Michelle Bivins; junior high girls’ basketball, Michele Bivins and Rick Gerk; junior high boys’ basketball, Bivins and Gerk; junior high cheer, Danielle Horton.

In other business:

• The Board of Education approved the accreditation rating from the Colorado Department of Education. The rating came in as the same as last year, Accredited with low participation, due to no spring test scores due to the COVID-19 situation. The low participation piece, Garretson added, came from the year prior and was a result of some miscoding by students on the back of testing booklets. She said the District could, if wanted, appeal the accreditation rating but last year chose not to do so due to the time and effort required to prove a new rating. “I feel that I, and other District staff, have other tasks to focus on,” Garretson said.

• Board members approved the transfer of funds from the General Fund to capital reserves, insurance reserves and food service fund. Garretson said portions of that money are the last bus payments in a lease/purchase contract for new buses five years ago as well as covering short falls in the food service program from the disruption at the end of the last year.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024

Rendered 03/17/2024 13:37