Bazan, Tempel & Cody earn year-end BOCES awards

The Haxtun Board of Education took time at the end of regular business during a Tuesday night, June 21 meeting to recognize staff members who recently received honors from the Northeast Colorado Board of Educational Services. Three staff members, Emily Bazan, Staci Tempel and Marsha Cody received year-end awards for their efforts inside the classroom and within the District.

Bazan was named NE BOCES Paraprofessional of the Year, Tempel earned NE BOCES Teacher of the Year and Cody received the NE BOCES District Leader of the Year. Bazan just completed her third year as a paraprofessional at Haxtun School District. Tempel, second grade teacher, has taught at Haxtun Schools for 16 years and Marsha Cody is beginning her second year leading the District as Superintendent. Below is a nomination for each staff member:

Bazan: Emily is a great example of a paraprofessional. She is kind, calm and caring. Schedules have been changed numerous times to meet student needs and she continues to be flexible and willing to help wherever she is needed. It is evident that she deeply cares for her students and wants to see them succeed in the classroom, with peers and in life. She is always willing to try new ideas and is open to feedback from the team. Her positive, cheerful nature is a bright light for many!

Tempel: Staci does amazing work academically and emotionally for her students. She holds high expectations of students, but is able to differentiate for those who need it. She is an excellent partner when working with special education students, because she understands that all students learn in their own way and have their own strengths and weaknesses. She is willing to collaborate with all team members in order to do what is best for both general education and special education students. She understands the value of forming good relationships with students in order to propel them to high academic, emotional and social success.

Cody: Marsha is an outstanding example of what it means to be a leader. She came into the district brand new this year and took the challenge head on. She has shown time and time again that she is willing to take this district to new heights and bring back a sense of community and pride to our district that has been missing. Her leadership abilities are astounding and a great example for our district staff and students. We are beyond fortunate to have Marsha as our superintendent.

At the start of the regular June meeting, Elementary Principal Becky Heinz announced the receipt of an ESSER grant that will help defray the costs of new math and reading curriculums recently purchased. She said the funds total about $45,000. Heinz also said Haxtun School was selected to participate in a dyslexia pilot program.

In action items, board members approved part time summer custodians while also accepting a resignation from High School Science Teacher Meghan Lowe. Allison Kilgour and Samantha Seger will serve as part-time summer help as custodians. Lowe resigned effective June 30.

In her letter Lowe wrote, “Over the past seven years, I have enjoyed teaching at Haxtun and have appreciated everything that the school, community and students have done. I will miss my classes with the Haxtun students, but I feel that it is time for me to pursue a new opportunity.” Lowe has accepted a position as a science teacher at Lone Star Schools.

The Board also acted on the 2022-23 district calendar, making several changes including one day for professional development and another for graduation next spring.

“NE BOCES has graciously paid for a professional development opportunity at Northeastern Junior College for all districts in our region on Aug. 15,” Cody said. “By moving data analysis day to Aug. 12, our staff will be able to participate in the professional development opportunity.”

The changes include making Aug. 10 a student assessment day and Aug. 12 a professional development day. Graduation will now be on May 14, 2023.

“This year the weather caused State Track events to be moved to Sunday, which required that some of our senior choose between competing in their final State event or graduation. By moving it a week earlier, it will not compete with State Track, which is a multi-day event. For parents of seniors in track it is difficult attending a multi-day event and returning to possible out of town company and a graduation party,” Cody said.

In other business the Board of Education:

• Approved a Gifted and Talented Master Plan. The Gifted and Talented Master Plan was developed with help and research from student and parent focus groups along with ideas from other programs in the area;

• Adopted the 2022-23 budget.

• Declined to participate in employer-provided FAMLI. According to Cody, the FAMLI is five percent of salaries. Since salaries are a majority of the budget, she said it would create a huge impact on the District budget. “We would have to make several hard decisions in order to pay the premium. Therefore, we are putting a system in to place to provide paid medical leave through a sick bank and a ‘donate days’ program,” she said.