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

Shane Schliesser will take a seat around the Frenchman Board of Education table following his appointment last month. Schliesser fills a roll left vacant several months ago by a pervious member who was elected during November elections but later moved outside of district lines.

Schliesser is no newcomer to the Board. Schliesser was initially elected to the school board in 2015 and served in that role for four years when his term expired in 2019. At that point, he had a change in employment and could no longer seek an elected office.

Also in 2019, the Frenchman Board of Education did not have enough candidates seeking seats on the local Board, and according to Schliesser’s employer, he could be appointed to the Board but not seek the office through the election process. So, he was appointed to a vacant spot and served from 2019-2021.

“Fast forward to this year, Fleming had a vacancy on our school board due to Nick Wernsman moving out of our District,” Fleming Superintendent Steve McCracken explained. “The current school board has appointed Shane to serve until the next school board election in 2023.”

According to State law, when school board members are appointed, term limits are not affected.

The regular March meeting opened with staff reports as do most all Frenchman Board of Education meetings. Harry Harms, custodial staff, demonstrated the program he uses to control the HVAC system. Board members discussed with him the condition of the current system and possible solutions to improve the function of the heating and cooling system. Harms, who also serves in the transportation capacity, gave an update on repairs needed to the bus fleet.

Principal Kortney Firme talked about surveys that were recently distributed to Fleming students and staff. Firme asked students about a current study skills class and inquired about the general culture of the school building. McCracken said the majority of the students like the study skills class and feel the school year is going well. Firme is also in the process of developing the high school class schedule for next year.

In his own report, McCracken told board members that there will be a zero percent increase in the school’s liability insurance next year. He also congratulated the high school girls’ basketball team for their performance at the State level land acknowledged those who received post-season honors.

He concluded his report with thanks to the Kirkwood and Chamberlain families for donations to help with State basketball tournament expenses.

While approving the consent agenda, board members approved Karianne Donnelson to the substitute teaching list while also ratifying a decision to cancel school on March 9 at 10 a.m., and at noon on March 10. McCracken said those school dates were altered due to blowing snow and hazardous driving conditions and for state basketball.

Later, during action items, the Board approved a motion to extend Firme’s contract through 2023 and a second to approve the 2022-23 student handbook. McCracken said later that there were no changes to Firme’s contract and that there were also no significant changes to the handbook for the coming year with the exception of dates and prices as necessary.

Board members approved two separate motions that include upgrades to school facilities including new carpet and lights at the football field.

A motion was approved to accept a carpet quote from Park Place Interior for $34,794 for carpeting in the library and the pre-K room. According to the superintendent, the carpet work will occur this summer. The pre-K room will be funded with an Early Childhood grant received from the State of Colorado and the library carpet will be funded through the General Fund.

A quote from Techline Sports Lighting was approved in the amount of $159,000 for new lights at the football field. The lights are set to be replaced this summer and will be funded with the School’s General Fund and additional reserves.