Fleming Schools to add cross country as an option for athletes

Fleming Schools will have a cross country team when school resumes next fall. The Frenchman Board of Education in Fleming approving adding the sport in a late-May meeting. In addition to approving cross country, the Board selected an organization to develop a District Master Plan.

According to Superintendent Steve McCracken, the cross country team will begin in the fall of 2023. Plans are to use the current track uniforms, making the cost of adding the new sport minimal. Leslie Kaiser will head up the team as Coach.

“She is an avid runner who coached our junior high track teams this year,” McCracken said. “We are excited to see the program get started.”

Board members later approved a contract with Treanor HL to complete a District Master Plan. McCracken said the master planning process will evaluate all systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and sewer.

“They will also evaluate how we are utilizing our classrooms and others areas of the building,” he said. “We are looking for options for our school building including remodeling, adding to our existing building or the process could result in Fleming applying for a BEST grant through the Colorado Department of Education.”

In his board report, McCracken said both gym floors have been re-finished and custodians have been busy getting the building ready for the coming school year. Additionally, the building was recently designated a Red Cross Shelter.

In her report to board members, Principal Kortney Firme gave an update on the 2023-24 student handbook and reviewed the draft copy of the class schedule for the upcoming year. Later in the meeting, the Board approved next year’s student handbook with minimal changes.

“No major changes to the handbook,” McCracken said. “We cleared up some language to make better sense of what was in a few areas of the handbook.”

In other business the Board:

• Accepted a resignation from Karl Donnelson as high school science teacher. Donnelson accepted a position with another District;

• Added Kendyl Kirkwood to the substitute teaching list;

• Approved David Betley to the maintenance department;

• Hired Kaitlyn Ernst as a fourth grade teacher;

• Approved a quote from Ascent Insurance Solutions and First Dakota Indemnity Company for worker’s compensation for $11,780;

• Approved a quote from CEBT to provide health insurance for employees;

• Hired Ron Drier as a bus driver;

• Approved Danielle Wernsman’s years of experience;

• Approved extra duty pay for the talent show for Laurianna May, the Band Teacher.