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

New hires, refinancing a loan and changes to salary schedules all topped action items on the Haxtun Board of Education agenda in a recent January meeting. Board members approved refinancing a loan taken out for upgrades to the HVAC system. Refinancing is expected to save the district over $20,000.

According to information provided at the meeting from Superintendent Marsha Cody, the original balance of the loan with All American Finance was $1,515,463 with an interest rate of 4.02 percent. Cody said loan officers for All American Finance indicated that organization was not interested in refinancing and suggested refinancing options with local banks.

Cody said Carl Wilcox, with Points West Community Bank, offered the local District an interest rate of 2.97 percent with a loan origination fee of half a percent of the balance, which is $5,505. Minus legal fees associated with refinancing, Cody said the overall savings for the lifetime of the loan will total nearly $21,000. She added that restructure of the payment will be reviewed and discussed with PWCB concerning cash flow.

“Having the local bank service the loan will allow for more flexibility should the Board decide to make lump sum payments or to pay the loan off ahead of schedule,” she added.

During the Jan. 18 meeting, board members took action on a number of new hires, including that of Ashley McFadden for the junior high math position for the coming year. Long-time teacher Michele Bivins is currently in her transition year of retirement and will officially retire from teaching at Haxtun Schools in May when the spring semester ends.

McFadden is a graduate of Haxtun High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and later her masters from Colorado Christian University. She is currently in her fourth year teaching mathematics at Sterling Middle School.

Board members also approved hiring Braden Anderson as a junior high girls second assistant coach and Rod Workman and Mike Brownell as a substitute bus driver. The BOE also approving adding Judy Berkheimer to the classified substitute teaching list

Over the next few months, Haxtun Schools will be looking to fill a number of positions due to recent resignations. In a late-December meeting, board members accepted resignations from Paige Thompson as the head high school volleyball coach and Ethan Farquhar as the junior high/high school music teacher.

Other staff members submitted requests to enter into transition years for the 2022-23 school year in preparation for retirement including Alan Coffin, Kristi Boerner and Lynda Firme. Coffin is a school counselor, Boerner teaches junior high English and Firme is the District bookkeeper.

In other business:

• FCCLA members Jeff Miner and AJ Calderon presented information to the board on National FCCLA. The Club will provide an application process for members wishing to attend the National conference, slated for the end of June in San Diego, Calif. The number of attendees will be based on available funds;

• Board members approved the 2021-22 revised budget. The revised document includes accurate figures for student count, state share and the audit;

• The BOE approved changes to the extra duty salary schedule and classified salary schedule. Changes along with the increase in minimum wage and an increase in bus driver route pay to $50 per route;

• The Board approved closing school on Jan. 6 due to weather conditions.