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

A large preschool expansion project, staffing for the coming year and a new bus topped action items at the Tuesday, May 18 meeting of the Haxtun School Board. Board members approved the pursuit of a $450,000 project to expand the two existing preschool rooms at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year. The project has received just over $252,000 in grant funds thus far.

According to Superintendent Darcy Garretson, plans are to extended the two existing preschool rooms west towards the preschool playground to even the building at the back of the kitchen. Doing so will double classroom sizes and allow for more space as required by State agencies regulating Colorado’s preschools. The renovation will also allow for re-configuration of the bathrooms and include office space for staff members.

Bids for the project total $450,000 but Garretson said those numbers are based off bids from several months ago. Since then, the cost of materials have risen dramatically as has the availability of some necessary materials such as trusses and beams.

Preschool Director Paige Thompson has secured $200,000 in grant funds from the Buell Foundation and another $52,000 from the Will Heginbotham Trust totaling more than half of the total estimated project.

Plans are in place to pursue the project next summer as soon as school is released in the spring. This, Garretson said, allows time for necessary design-build phase requirements and permits as well as securing project materials. Board members approved the project during a meeting last week, which will help move it forward.

The Haxtun Preschool is and continues to be at full capacity, serving a large number of children not only from Haxtun but as well as children from surrounding communities.

During the regular May meeting, board members voted to re-hire certified staff members in addition to several new. Re-hire contracts approved include those for: Havilah Andersen, Michele Bivins, Kristi Boerner, Janet Brophy, Alan Coffin, Ethan Farquhar, Jessica French, Dena Gerk, Rich Gerk, Lindsey Goddard, Jessica Hofmeister, Charla Huwa, Holly Kelley, Stan Kennedy, Meghan Lowe, Christina Lucero, Sara Martinez, Sara Michael, Jessica Oliver, Jeff Plumb, Ashlea Quigley, Amanda Ridlen, Sharon Seger, David Shafer, Staci Tempel, Pat Wiebers and Laurie Wilcox.

New hires include McCall Etl as the new K-12 technology teacher, Jessica Firme, who will teach in both junior high science and physical education, and Molly McGaughy in Special Education.

According to information distributed from the high school and elementary principals Firme, Rich Gerk and Michael will all share teaching duties for physical education. Michael will teach elementary PE and serve as a learning loss specialist; Firme will teach some elementary PE classes as well as junior high science; and Gerk will return part-time as athletic director and also teach some upper class PE. Andersen will be part-time in her role in junior high science along with Firme.

The District is currently accepting applications for two kindergarten teachers, a fourth grade teacher and an elementary secretary.

The BOE also voted to approve a bid for a 14-passenger, non-CDL bus. The 2014 vehicle has 54,000 miles and cost the District $46,045. The purchase will be made after July 1 with an expected delivery date later in the month.

In other business the BOE:

• Approved April 28 as a mud day off;

• Accepted a resignation letter from Shafer, who plans to retire and enter into a transition year with the District;

• Approved the following money transfers: $21,000 to the building fund; $70,000 to capital reserves and $70,000 to the insurance reserve fund.