Haxtun BOE adds two busses to school's fleet

The purchase of two new busses, hiring winter sports coaches and approving the substitute teaching list all topped action items during a mid-October meeting of the Haxtun School Board. Members also continued discussion regarding graduation requirements.

In previous meetings, administration and board members discussed changing the passing grade for high school students from a D, as it is now, to a C. This, Principal Dustin Seger said, would raise the bar on academic standards and require a necessary level of exceptional learning for students.

However, since last month’s meeting, and after discussion with fellow colleagues, Seger said he has changed his view on the passing grade level and suggests leaving it at a D, which is a range of 65-69.

“I feel like this will be our best option,” he said. “Many have found that getting rid of the D does not increase rigor but lowers expectations.”

One change that will take place in the new graduation requirement policy, that has been in reading phases and will be up for final vote in the near future, is adding a weighted grading system for concurrent enrollment and college classes.

Other discussion on the graduation requirements include adding in community service requirements.

“I believe this is a great way to build community rapport and help students understand the importance of being an active member of the community as well,” Seger said.

Part of the graduation policy change includes adding in State college/career readiness demonstrations in both math and English. Those changes have been established and mandated by the State and will be implemented in the new graduation policy IKF at Haxtun Schools.

“We are working through the graduation matrix to make sure every senior is set to graduate on time meeting the requirements of Haxtun High School,” Seger added.

At the start of the October meeting, Haxtun Agriculture Science students Owen Knode, Kyle Fryrear and Kristopher Hadeen presented the Board with options for a Haxtun School brand.

The idea of having an official school brand originated in conversations at the beginning of the year with the District Leadership team. Since then, Ag Teacher Jeff Plumb asked students to design several brands that represent Haxtun Schools.

Of the brands presented by students last Tuesday, the Board agreed their preference was for the design, H->S. Plans are to have the brand registered for future use including the possibility of FFA members’ livestock.

Later, in action items, board members acted on the purchase of two new busses, as discussed at a meeting in mid-September. The first purchase the Board made is for a 65-passenger bus with full air conditioning for $111,322. The purchase will be made using available ESSER III funds, which have been submitted for approval by the State.

ESSER funds have been made available to school districts through stimulus bills specifically for education including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan.

The second bus purchase, approved last week, is for a route minibus with lights for $61,109. It will be purchased utilizing funds from the second round of ESSER funds.

Both busses will be purchased from McCandless Truck Center in Aurora and should be ready to add to the Haxtun School fleet in the fall of 2022.

In other business:

• The Board approved the substitute teaching list including: Jeri Anderson, Julie Brown, Mistikae Buchanan, Stephanie Cheney, Candie Fix, Dave Gibson, Brad Heinz, Jessica Burt, Gay McDaniel, Rhonda Mehring-Smith, Jessie Stewart, Carmen Vandenbark, Susan Wolff, Holly Kurtzer, Harrison Johnson, Chris Kelly, Jessica Henry, Patricia Corbin, Christine Fetzer, Maria Fryrear, Sherele John, Cathy Starkebaum, Lorraine Townsend, Rod Workman and Amy Bamford. Substitute bus drivers include Carmen Vandenbark, Jerry Wagoner, Stacy Wagoner and Bill Garretson;

• Board members approved the following winter sports coaches: Jayden Steib and Lance Chapdelaine, High School Boys’ Basketball; Arlan Scholl and Alicia Schram, High School Girls’ Basketball; Arlan Scholl and Dena Gerk, Junior High Girls’ Basketball; Arlan Scholl and Braden Anderson, Junior High Boys’ Basketball;

• The BOE approved the per diem rate for days worked beyond 240 days for former Superintendent Darcy Garretson.