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

New staff, a new girls’ sports program and a new Facebook page all topped agenda items in a late-July board of education meeting in Fleming. Board members hired staff members before students arrive this week, approved the addition of a girls’ wresting program and gave nod to the creation of a student-council ran Facebook page for the District.

Over the past few months, students, coaches, board members and administration have discussed the idea of adding a girls’ wrestling program at Fleming Schools. The District currently operates the boys’ wrestling program in conjunction with Sedgwick County.

In the July meeting, board members officially approved the girls’ program for Fleming. Superintendent Steve McCracken said the idea originated from girls who were interested in the program and proposed the idea to boys coach Don Schelling. Schelling will now head up both the boys’ and girls’ programs when the season kicks off this winter. The girls’ season coincides along with the boys’ schedule, McCracken said.

Colorado High School Activities Association approved the addition of sanctioning girls’ wrestling several years ago when they also sanctioned boys’ volleyball. McCracken said he anticipates four to five girls participating in wrestling this upcoming season.

Students Nolan Japp and David Betley, both Student Council officers, spoke to the Board at the beginning of the meeting, requesting permission to create a Facebook page for Fleming Schools. Later, in action items, board members approved the addition with stipulations.

McCracken said the page will feature student activities, other than athletics, and will be managed by student council officers. Student Council Sponsor, Randy Stahley, will oversee the page and its contents.

“Our STUCO officers are very active this year and we look forward to a lot of new activities,” said McCracken.

Fleming sports activities are featured on the Facebook page titled, Fleming Wildcats – Home Page.

The local Board of Education in Fleming also voted to hire the following staff: Megan Chintala, elementary special education and junior high head volleyball coach; Kaitlin Ernst, school secretary; Cathy Castillo, special education para-professional; Jeneva Withers, food service worker; and Madilyn Monroe, one-on-one para-professional.

School for students in grades fourth through 12th is slated to begin on Aug. 18. Students in kindergarten through third grade return to school on Aug. 25.

In other business the Board:

• Approved a cell phone stipend for Amber Schliesser in the amount of $50 per month;

• Declared seven wooden poles from the old football field lights as surplus. The District will accept bids from those who are interested in buying them;

• Moved to repeal administrative regulation GCQEA, voluntary early retirement. McCracken said the policy is very outdated, from 1992, and is no longer pertinent to the District.