The purchase of two new busses, approval of the District’s Core Beliefs, changes in salary schedules to reflect the change in minimum wage and several new hires topped agenda items in two Haxtun Board of Education meetings last week. The regular January board meeting also included a presentation from First Grade Teacher Christie Toops and special recognition of board members during Board of Education appreciation month.

Haxtun Board of Education members met on Wednesday, Jan. 24 for a nearly three hour meeting that opened with a Master’s Capstone Project presentation from Toops. Toops is currently working to complete her Master’s Degree from Colorado Christian University. Her capstone project encompassed the coursework she completed throughout the program. In the 16 weeks, Toops designed, implemented and assessed data surrounding her action research project which included students in her first grade class at Haxtun Elementary.

Later, Superintendent Marsha Cody celebrated the Haxtun School Board for their dedication and willingness to collaborate to make the Haxtun School District the finest it can be.

“Our school board members spend countless hours of unpaid time working to provide the best possible education for our students. They also serve as the corporate board of directors for one of our community’s largest employers,” Cody said. “Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one way to say thanks for all they do. The efforts of school board members often go unrecognized. School board members represent their fellow citizens’ views and reinforce the principle of local control over public education, which is an important, highly valued aspect of education in Colorado.”

As the first item of business under action items, the local school board approved Haxtun School District’s Core Beliefs. The following is the District’s Core Beliefs which aligns with the District’s Strategic and Master plans:

Haxtun’s Core Beliefs

• All students matter.

• Teachers are our greatest instructional asset.

• The community supports its schools and its schools support it.

ALL students matter! Everyone has the capacity to learn and develop. Embracing their diverse strengths, we approach students at their current level and emphasize wellness, empathy and civility. Our standards for students are elevated, concentrating on fostering robust character, honing critical thinking abilities and building self-worth, ensuring their readiness for success beyond the school environment.

Teachers are our greatest instructional asset! We seek to help them feel valued and connected, with a sense of belonging in our community because they constantly strive to improve their craft, clearly communicate what students will learn, engage students deeply in lessons and adjust based on outcomes and individual needs.

Our community supports its schools, and its schools support it! To ensure a vibrant Haxtun that thrives long into the future, we provide value by engaging citizens in developing future-ready students who exhibit self-initiative, strong character, adaptability and a willingness to serve the community

During the Jan. 24 meeting, board members held a lengthy discussion on the purchase of two new busses. At that time, the Board approved the purchase of two stock 77 passenger route busses for $125,000 each with the additional cost of one bus having drop down chains.

However, two days later, the Board met again for a short time to discuss busses. At that meeting, the Board amended the original motion to change the size of the busses from 77 passenger to 54 passenger with one bus having drop down chains.

According to Cody, the District will purchase new 54 passenger International route busses from McCandless for a total of $252,440. Cody said the two will be added to the District fleet and in service for next school year. When that happens, the Board will take action on disposing of the old route busses the two new ones are replacing. Funds for the purchase will be paid with capital reserves.

In other business the Board:

• Approved the revision to the classified salary schedule and extra duty salary schedule to reflect the increase in minimum wage;

• Approved the 2023-24 revised budget as presented;

• Approved Joey Gerk as a substitute teacher and high school boys’ assistant coach; Kelly Crossland as a special education paraprofessional; Shana Toops as a special education paraprofessional; and Tanisha Forry as a classified substitute;

• Deemed special education as a critical shortage area for hiring purposes for the 2024-25 school year.

The next Haxtun School District Board of Education meeting will be Feb. 23 at 7:30 a.m.