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

A Tuesday evening, June 15 meeting of the Frenchman Board of Education brought on the discussion of the food service program, approval of the 2023-24 budget and approval of several quotes from area companies to replace boilers and the scoreboard at the football field. As summer break nears the mid-way mark, board members in Fleming are gearing up for the upcoming school year with approval of new staff members and amendments to administration’s contracts.

The June meeting opened with a report from Stephanie Monroe regarding the food service program, particularly funding options for the District and free and reduced applications. Monroe plans to apply for grants that would aid the food service program.

In later follow up, Superintendent Steve McCracken said voters approved free lunch and breakfast for every student during elections last year. Now, the Colorado Department of Education is trying to figure out what that looks like.

“Currently, the way we understand it is that the reimbursement rates from CDE will be based on the number of Free/Reduced applications that are completed from each school district and not simply free meals for everyone,” he added.

Later, while approving the consent agenda, board members approved the resignation of Kelly Schmidt. Schmidt served as the Ag teacher and FFA Advisor in Fleming. The District is currently advertising for the open position.

The Board also approved a financial audit engagement letter, an intergovernmental agreement for elections, an assignment agreement with BOCES for Title Funds and added Jeannine Cochran to the substitute teaching list in approving the consent agenda and before moving onto action items.

As most June board meetings do, budget talks topped action items in Fleming. The board voted to approve the 2023-24 budget with a general fund balance of $5,758,424. Additional fund totals include $112,977 for food service and $226,315 for pupil activity for a grand total of $6,097,716. McCracken said no major changes were made to the budget as compared to the year prior.

The local BOE approved extra duty assignments of the coming year. McCracken said one notable change is that Randy Kirkwood will now serve as both the high school boys’ and girls’ head basketball coach.

To go along with the election agreement approved earlier in the meeting, board members voted to appoint Amber Schliesser, District Bookkeeper, as the Designated Election Official.

Three seats will be up for election on Nov. 7, those seats are currently held by board members Carmen Vandenbark, Karianne Donnelson and Shane Schliesser.

In other business the board:

• Approved a quote from Major Heating and Air Conditioning for three high efficiency boilers. The total to replace the boilers is $264,484 and will be paid for using ESSER II and ESSER IIII dollars;

• Approved amendments to contracts for the principal and superintendent. Amendments were to increase the salaries to match the increase that certified staff received;

• Approved a quote from the Colorado School District Self Insurance Pool in the amount of $95,762;

• Hired Marrisa Stull as a school secretary;

• Approved the purchase of a new football scoreboard for the amount of $16,102.

The next regular board meeting for the Frenchman Board of Education will be in Fleming on July 25.