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

The Haxtun School District Board of Education met twice over the past two weeks. One meeting in mid-August just ahead of the start of the 2023-24 school year and the other earlier this week to approve final wording for the District’s ballot question to voters this November.

The latest meeting opened at 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning with an agenda that tasked board members with approving a formal resolution to authorize a ballot issue along with the ballot language for elections on Nov. 7.

According to information from the School District, the Board of Education has approved a plan to move forward with a Colorado BEST Grant to make significant improvements to Haxtun School District’s aging facilities. Most of the improvements focus on Haxtun Elementary’s 1962 building and on the Vo-Ag shop currently located just north of the school facility. Additions and renovations to the existing school include a new Vo-Ag/CTE space; new elementary and early childhood classrooms; new elementary/auxiliary gym, locker rooms and weight room; and new centrally located, shared space including a media arts center, kitchen and cafeteria.

The BEST grant and match would also pay for demolition of the existing elementary school wing, administration area, cafeteria, kitchen, small gym and existing Vo-Ag building.

“In order for the project to be funded the District must submit a competitive BEST grant. If the BEST grant is successful, the District must provide funds to support a match to the BEST Grant dollars. The match is not necessarily a 1:1 match and will be greatly dependent on new assessed valuation figures that will be released by county officials,” said information released by the District earlier this month.

A bond issue to be voted on this November will be required to raise enough money to provide the necessary match. The match will be calculated using the newest assessed valuation information.

In the Monday morning meeting, board members reviewed recently released assessed valuation figures and officially passed necessary resolutions and the official wording that will be on the ballots mailed to voters later this fall.

In the two August meetings, board members have also approved a number of motions regarding staff for the current school year. Those approved for various positions include: Brandon Biesemeier as junior high head basketball coach; Rob Martinez as junior high assistant boys’ basketball coach; Candie Fix as junior high assistant girls’ volleyball coach; Kristin Kroeger as part-time special education teacher; Brandy Nichols as special education para-professional; Ryan Henry as elementary custodian; Tom Davis as a route and activity bus driver; Alison Johnson as special education para-professional; and Amanda Price as special education paraprofessional.

The BOE also:

• Approved allowing students to participate in cross country at Fleming Schools;

• Approved piloting eSports for the 2023-24 school year;

• Increased the activity bus driver pay to $35 for CDL driving time and $15 for non-driving time.