Frenchman BOE approves 2022 senior trip to Texas

Eleven Fleming students will embark on their final big outing together as the Class of 2022 prepares for their senior trip. Cheri Bornhoft and members of the senior class presented trip details to the Frenchman Board of Education held on Tuesday, Dec. 14 following the conclusion of the annual holiday program.

The group of 11 seniors plan to travel to Galveston, Texas for their senior trip slated for March 15-18, 2022. The senior class raised their own funds through concession stands and other fundraisers over the past four years.

A few activities planned for the class include the Pleasure Pier, an amusement park, Moody Gardens, an aquarium, and a visit to historic downtown Galveston. Seniors and sponsors also plan to attend a ghost tour and try their hands at an escape room.

Members of the Frenchman Board of Education approved the annual trip for Fleming seniors before moving onto reports from administrators Kortney Firme and Steve McCracken.

In her report to the Board, Principal Firme announced the adoption of new reading and writing curriculum. The new curriculum is called Into Reading and will be paired with an additional new program for writing called Write Now.

“These programs will provide whole group lessons on a daily basis for grades kindergarten through fifth in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, word study and fluency,” said Superintendent McCracken.

The new curriculums will be implemented next fall as Fleming students start the new school year.

Firme also said mid-year DIBELS test scores are in and that most classes are at or above grade level expectations at this time. DIBELS is a set of measurements to assess students’ literacy skills.

In his time with the Board, McCracken updated members on the HVAC system and the BEST grant process. BEST grant applications are due in February and Fleming Schools is requesting funds to replace the current HVAC system in the entire building with a new, state of the art system that would be more efficient. If approved, the District would use a portion of Federal ESSER funds for the project.

BEST provides an annual amount of funding in the form of competitive grants to school districts, charger school, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative educational services and the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. BEST funds can be used for the construction of new schools as well as general construction and renovation of existing school facility systems and structures.

While approving the consent agenda on the way to moving to action items, board members added Sue Workman, Cathy Castillo and Phillip McKibben to the substitute teaching list. The board also ratified the decision to cancel school at noon on Nov. 11 for the State Volleyball Tournament.

The local BOE approved a motion to certify the mill levy with a general fund total of 28.343. That number includes the following figures: total program, 27.000 mills, .392 mills for an override; .950 for an override; and .001 for abatement; all equaling 28.342.

In other business the BOE:

• Approved an invoice for Allright Excavating for $6,170 for dirt work for the new bus barn currently under construction;

• Approved the 2021-22 October student count at 217;

• Granted approval for an invoice from Beckfurt Creative Co. for coats for staff members as Christmas gifts from the School Board. The quote totaled $5,759;

• Approved bids from Champ Construction and Castle Pluming to construct a new concession stand and restrooms. Plans are in place to add the new building to the west side of the current concession stand/press box at the football field;

• Hired Grace Rosignol as a first grade paraprofessional;

• Hired Levi Williamson as the junior high boys’ assistant coach.

The next meeting of the Frenchman Board of Education is slated for Jan. 19, 2022 at 6 p.m.