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

New members of the Frenchman Board of Education took their oaths of office in Fleming on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Following the oath of office, the board re-organized, electing new officers for the coming year.

Before swearing in new elected officials, the former Board finished up ongoing business from the month prior. Board members Karianne Donnelson, Christa Lousberg, Kim Nolde, Shane Schliesser and Carmen Vandenbark voted to approve extra duty assignments including Karin Williamson and Marissa Stull as sixth grade sponsors; Patrick Steward and Phillip Chavez as assistant junior high boys’ basketball coaches; and Jack Bornhoft as assistant wrestling coach.

The Board also voted to approve a Fleming eSports team for spring 2024. In a previous board meeting, band and music teacher Laurianna May approached board members about the possibility of starting an eSports program at Fleming. ESports is sanctioned through the Colorado High School Activities Association.

The CHSAA voted to implement eSports as a pilot activity in February 2019. In early 2020, Cherry Creek High School captured the first eSports championship through the pilot season. CHSAA later voted to introduce eSports as a fall sanctioned activity in 2022.

According to the CHSAA website, eSports, or competitive video gaming, is the fastest growing high school activity.

After wrapping up unfinished business, new members Kamie Lambrecht, Jeff Harms and Jeff Brekel took their oaths of office to fill a seat on the local school board in Fleming. Following elections in early November, Brekel will fill a four-year term on the Board and Harms and Lambrecht will serve two-year terms.

Lousberg was later appointed to serve as the School Board President. Nolde was appointed Vice President; Lambrecht, Secretary; Harms, Treasurer and Brekel will serve as Director.

In other business:

• Randy Stahley presented plans to build a greenhouse for the ag program while pursuing grants to help with the cost;

• Principal Kortney Firme said the District had 79 percent participation from parents in recent parent/teacher conferences;

• The Board added Gray Rain to the substitute teaching list;

• Board members approved hiring Camden Goss as Maintenance Director.

The next Frenchman Board of Education meeting is slated for Dec. 13.