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

Reports from staff, hiring for the coming year and the purchase of a new math curriculum topped agenda items in a late April meeting of the Frenchman Board of Education meeting in Fleming. To open the meeting, staff heard from Music Teacher Laurianna May and Third Grade Teacher Amy Brekel.

May thanked the local board of education for allowing her students to participate and travel to several activities this year including honor band events, state sporting tournaments and a trip to Winter Park. Next year, May said she hopes to begin to develop a choir program in Fleming. May is currently in her third year as music teacher in Fleming.

Brekel said she has 17 students in third grade in Fleming this year. Those students have been working on planting plants and financial literacy among many other things at this point in the school year. The students have also been taking part in the Book It program. The Book It program is a free reading incentive program in partnership with Pizza Hut that encourages students in grades preschool through sixth grade.

In his Superintendent’s report to the Board, Steve McCracken announced that three companies have interviewed for the opportunity to work on the District’s master plan. More information on that will come later this summer.

In approving the consent agenda before moving on to action items, board members approved the resignation of Jessica Japp as Fleming’s fourth grade teacher. McCracken said the District is currently advertising for her replacement.

To kick off action items, board members approved three salary schedules for the 2023-24 school year including those for certified staff, classified staff and extra duty assignments. McCracken said the District increased the base salary for certified staff members by $1,000. That makes the base starting rate for a teacher starting in Fleming $38,000.

The following teacher and employee agreements were also approved: probationary teachers Tamara Ashburn, Megan Chintala, Jaxon King, Laurianna May, Rylie Salyards and Danielle Wernsman; all non-probationary staff; and Alexandra Bandy, Sue Dreyer, Kaitlyn Ernst, Janice Gerk, Harry Harms, Leslie Kaiser, Sandy Kinzie, Ellen Lippstrew, Matt Monroe, Stephanie Monroe, Jenifer Muller, Grace Rossignol, Amber Schliesser, Samantha Swan, Samantha Nielson, Kendra Koehler and Jeneva Winthers.

In other business the Board:

• Approved a quote from SAVVAS for $33,832 for new math curriculum;

• Approved a quote with KCI for $15,085 for new network switches as part of upgrades to the network and internet systems in the building;

• Revised the prom policy to allow all ninth through 12th grade students and guests to attend prom.