New admin takes reins; fills open spots at Haxtun

School starts in just two weeks and when Haxtun students return this fall, they will notice changes in administration including Superintendent Marsha Cody and Dustin Seger, new High School/Junior High Principal.

The Haxtun Board of Education hired Seger during a special meeting last month. He fills an opening left by Alan Nall who took a position with the local Board of Cooperative Education Services.

Seger’s position will cover high school students and staff in addition to those in seventh and eighth grade, a change in principal positions as it has been in years past.

Elementary Principal Becky Heinz will oversee students and staff in preschool through sixth grade.

“We are piloting this change to see if it works well,” Cody said of the change in duties for the two Haxtun principals.

If the change works, Cody said paperwork will be submitted to the State next year to officially reflect Haxtun Elementary to include preschool through sixth grade and Haxtun High School including the junior high grades of seventh and eighth.

Cody and Seger took their seats around the Board of Education table in Haxtun for the first time during a July 20 meeting. In preparation for the coming year, the BOE hired staff members, approved changes to salary schedules and discussed plans for students to return to school on Aug. 18.

Since starting her position in Haxtun on July 1, Cody has outlined specific goals she’d like to obtain in her first 100 days with the District. Her first two objectives, as presented in her report to the BOE, include developing relationships with board members, staff, students and the community as well as learning the District’s strengths and opportunities to grow.

Cody said she’s also prioritized gathering information, learning processes and policy and analyzing data to provide leadership and make effective and wise decisions as it pertains to curriculum, professional development, finances, facilities, personnel, teaching and learning, maintenance, transportation and student opportunities.

In one of her first items of business, Cody presented revisions to the classified salary schedule as well as to the certified salary schedule; both proposals were later approved by the BOE in the July meeting.

Cody explained that revisions to the classified salary schedule including increasing the first step on the schedule to match minimum wage as required by law. She said changes were also made to reflect the new indoor/outdoor maintenance position that is also paired with the transportation director position. Basically, she said, the classified schedule includes all those who are not certified with the exception of bus drivers.

Second, Cody recommended giving each certified staff member their appropriate step on the certified salary schedule; meaning each step equals years of service.

A small group, between 10-15 teachers, were behind on the salary schedule meaning their years of service did not match their current step on the salary schedule, Cody said.

Per the recommendation of Cody, the BOE approved matching each staff member to their appropriate step on the salary schedule. The change, Cody said, makes it clear and consistent for not only current district employees but also for new hires.

In addition to changes to salary schedules, BOE members also approved filling a number of positions including bus drivers, maintenance and elementary secretary.

Board members hired Don Schelling to fill the outdoor/indoor maintenance position. Schelling, who will begin in early August, will also serve as the transportation director. While Schelling plans to begin his new position in Haxtun in August, initially he will be part-time while he wraps his time with this current employer.

In the meantime, newly hired Daryl Striek will serve as head bus driver, route/activity driver and take partial responsibility as transportation director until Schelling is full-time and becomes familiar with the maintenance position. Striek was also hired during the July meeting. He and his wife moved to Haxtun a few years ago and reside in the old Cox house.

Board members also hired Seth Arguello and Michelle Henry during the July meeting. Seth Arguello began duties with the District in late July and will work full-time as the elementary custodian. Ron Shipman will continue with his janitorial duties in the evenings.

Henry will serve as the new elementary secretary. She replaces Jessica Firme who now serves the District as a physical education teacher. Henry also began her employment in late July.

In other business:

• The BOE hired Darwin Jeffers as a route/activity driver;

• Board members approved Fletcher Gorman as summer custodial help;

• The Board approved employment for all returning classified staff members;

• BOE hired all fall season coaches with no changes. The District is currently seeking an assistant junior high volleyball coach;

• Heinz reported the purchase of new curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade titled Into Reading from Houghton Miffin Harcourt. The plan is to purchase the curriculum with ESSER, or COVID relief funds.