Haxtun BOE looks at possibility of creating armed staff policy

Administration updates and reports and a single action item is all that board of education members tended to in a mid-August meeting lasting just 35 minutes in the high school library last week. The Haxtun Board of Education approved a lengthy list of staff assignments and heard detailed reports from Superintendent Aron Jones and Elementary Principal Becky Heinz on Tuesday, Aug. 20. In doing so, the Board reviewed preliminary enrollment numbers for the current year, took the next step in looking at policy regarding armed school personnel and discussed changes to the student dress code policy.

The meeting last Tuesday opened with roll call, pledge of allegiance and approval of the consent agenda before administration reports from Jones, Heinz and a brief report from Junior and Senior High Principal Amanda Ridlen. In a new format, the two principals will trade on and off between monthly detailed reports and shorter, verbal reports to board members. In August, Heinz detailed her work in the primary end of the building.

Heinz said through the beginning of August she hosted new teacher orientation as well as crisis prevention intervention in addition to other necessary training for all staff members.

Prior to school starting, elementary students had two assessment days and after, staff reviewed data to make determinations on when students need additional intervention.

The K-6 Principal also gave a brief overview of the breakfast and lunch program, noting that even though all students receive free meals, the District is still required to have parents complete the free and reduced lunch application. Heinz said this year is also a year for a formal audit from the nutrition department with the Colorado Department of Education.

At the start of his report, Jones asked the Board to consider giving Debbie Myers authority to issue checks to referees and officials. As done in the past, the method to get checks written takes several unnecessary steps, however, giving Myers the ability to do the checks herself would eliminate extra work and allow the District to pay refs and officials at the time of services. The Board agreed, in no official motion, to grant Myers approval to do so.

Additionally, Jones asked the Board to consider accepting transcripted, applicable professional contact hours for credit bonus beginning next school year. This would be for teachers regarding professional development. Jones plans to add the topic and sample wording before the Board in the future for official consideration. He said, in all other Districts he's worked in, doing so is standard policy.

Jones also discussed an armed school personnel policy with the Board during his report. He said a quote for armed school personnel insurance annual is $3,450 per year. He also provided board members with sample policy and resolutions for future consideration.

He said if the Board agrees to move forward, which they did, he can continue to move forward and create a Haxtun policy and resolution based on the examples.

Additionally, he said he has spoken with the Haxtun Police Chief and Officer, both of whom have given their support and began initial conversations about training. Jones was also referred to Dave Ridlen for training. The topic of armed school personnel will continue to be discussion at future board meetings.

Last, Jones presented board members with preliminary enrollment numbers for 2024-25. As of the meeting date, kindergarten through 12th grade totaled 274 students. That number is down from 283 the year before. The official student count comes in October.

Moving into action items, board members approved the following list of staff assignments in the lone action item on the agenda: Lynda Firme, part-time office and transportation aide; Sharon Crist, paraprofessional; Rubi Canales, paraprofessional; Kendra Biesemeier, substitute teacher; Kirstin Schelling, substitute teacher; Jeri Stahl, substitute teacher; Jerald Wagoner, bus route driver; Jula Bornhoft, volunteer high school volleyball coach; Dillon Huss, volunteer high school football coach; Collyn Heinz, volunteer junior high school football coach; and Megan Wolff, volunteer junior high volleyball coach.

Board members did review, and plan to look at as a first policy reading next month, changes to the District's dress code policy regarding graduation adornments as recommended from the Colorado Association of School Boards.