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

Two new members officially joined the Frenchman Board of Education in Fleming. Karianne Donnelson and Nick Wernsman took their oaths of office at a Nov. 8 meeting. The two fill seats previously held by retiring members Shane Schliesser and Randy Kirkwood.

Kirkwood opened the meeting as President for the final time. He has served on the local school board for a total of eight years.

At the start of the meeting, Scott Szabo presented the 2020-2021 audit. Szabo said the District is in good financial standing and complimented Amber Schliesser, Business Manager, in her role in working with the budget. He also noted that the local school district has increased the General Fund balance over the past fiscal year.

Before retiring board members exited their seats and new members were sworn in, school administration gave their monthly reports in the November meeting.

Principal Kortney Firme said she has completed nine of her 20 teacher observations. She also gave an overview on a retreat she attended with other area principals from the local Board of Cooperative Educational Services. She said principals learned about tools, templates and strategies for curriculum, instruction and assessment processes. Firme is currently working on a staff development day slated for Dec. 6.

Superintendent Steve McCracken said dirt work for the new bus barn is complete. The BOE approved a quote from American Building Systems back in August for a 50 foot by 90 foot building that will include six bays for District busses. The building is going up on the vacant lot near the Ag shop just south of the main school building. Cost of the project totals $92,165.

After administration reports, outgoing board members Kirkwood an Schliesser were honored for their years of service to the local Board of Education. Kirkwood, who fills a number of other roles at the school including high school basketball coach, was honored for his two terms on the board, including the most recent as president. Schliesser served four years on the Frenchman Board of Education. The two received plaques for their dedication to the Fleming school community.

Donnelson and Wernsman were then sworn in to fill the five-member board in Fleming. The two join fellow members Christa Lousberg, Kim Nolde and Carmen Vandenbark.

INCOMING board members Karianne Donnelson, left, and Nick Wernsman, right, took their oath of office and their seats around the Frenchman Board of Education table in a Nov. 8 meeting. The two will serve four-year terms.

An election of new officers followed the swearing-in ceremony. Lousberg was elected to serve as President. She was elected to the Frenchman Board of Education in the last election. Nolde was chosen as the Vice President, Donnelson will serve as Secretary and Vandenbark will remain the Board Treasurer.

While approving the consent agenda and moving onto action items, board members approved an invoice for $7,304.79 for sewer work in the school kitchen.

In other business the BOE:

• Approve 2021-22 accountability committee members including new members Bret Nolde, Jamie Nab, Samantha Swan, Mary Ann Betley and Makayla Hoppe;

• Approved a library agreement with the Town of Fleming. The annual agreement is signed each year. No changes were made;

• Approved the 2021-22 bus routes. The District has three routes this year with no major changes. The Fleming District is seeking both route and substitute route drivers;

• Approved a motion to pay an invoice to Scott Szabo for $9,302;

• A motion to hire a paraprofessional for the first grade was tabled.