BEST grant denied; bond question to be added to November ballot

The Frenchman Board of Education received news recently that the school district in Fleming was not awarded a BEST grant in the most recent cycle. Hopes were to receive grant funds for major improvements to the District’s main building. In addition to a BEST grant update and plan moving forward, board members acted on several items of business to prepare for the coming year as well as gave nod to several purchases including one for new math curriculum.

In his report to board members in a late-May meeting, Superintendent Steve McCracken reported that Fleming did not receive a BEST grant in the most recent grant cycle. That news came in May.

Per the grant application, the District sought a BEST grant to assist in a remodel that would add two new classrooms as well as close the courtyard.

The next step in the process, McCracken said, is to place a question on the November ballot asking voters to approve a bond in the event Fleming is awarded a BEST grant in the next cycle. Plans are to re-submit the application in the next round.

After staff reports from McCracken and Principal Kortney Firme, board members moved onto action items where they approved several staff members to fill vacancies for the 2024-25 school year. Scott Walker was hired as a social studies teacher; Derek Feather was approved as the new Fleming Athletic Director, he will serve in that position as well as continuing to teach junior high and high school math; Ashley Steward was hired as the new junior high English teacher, she will also serve as an elementary specialist; and Sheila McCabe was approved as a science teacher.

Later, board members voted to purchase enVision for seventh through 12th grade math curriculum with a total cost of $22,627. Fleming Schools currently uses enVision math curriculum in the elementary. Next year that curriculum will serve students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

In other business the Board:

• Approved a motion to ratify a decision to cancel school on April 29 due to lack of substitutes;

• Agreed to pay an invoice for $120,484 to the Colorado School District Self Insurance Pool;

• Approved the 2024-25 preliminary budget. One major change to note is that the budget will no longer include budget stabilization;

• Voted to increase student athletic fees to $40 per athlete per sport not to exceed $200 per family;

• Approved a quote from Ponder for $48,480 to repair the gym floor. Plans are to fix an area of the floor that was damaged by rain water near the southwest door this summer;

• Approved a quote for $31,695 from Verkada for security cameras. According to McCracken, the new security cameras will update the current cameras and allow the District to add more cameras in the future. McCracken is currently in the process of applying for a grant to help with the cost;

• Voted to approve revising the student handbook and graduation requirements to reflect the change to require three English/communication credits;

• Approved a motion to accept the resignation of Samantha Swan and Camden Goss. Goss worked in the maintenance department and Swan was a kindergarten teacher. The motion to approve the resignations was initially included in the consent agenda but moved to action items during the meeting. McCracken said neither of the two submitted a letter of resignation. Swan and Goss both resigned verbally.

The next Frenchman Board of Education meeting is slated for June 20 at 7 p.m.