Fleming joins opposition

By Callie Jones
Sterling Journal-Advocate

FLEMING – Frenchman RE-3 Board of Education is the latest board to approve a resolution opposing Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101.

They passed the resolution unanimously at their regular meeting on Tuesday after a discussion on the negative impacts the passage of these would have not only on the school district, but on all the governing entities of Logan County as well.

According to the Bell Policy Center, if these initiatives pass the district would lose 49.56 percent of their funding, $934.97 per student, $176,335 total.

In other business, the board discussed the need for a new mid-sized bus for activities and also bus routes at some point. The administration will present a vehicle rotation schedule at next month's meeting.

Two quotes have been received, one for $72,030 from Colorado West and one for $81,990 from Transwest Trucks.

The board approved Superintendent Jim Copeland pursuing the purchase, based on the low quote, of a new mid-sized bus based on the quotations received, which may change slightly due to options added or deleted.

Also, the board continued a discussion from a previous meeting on senior trip guidelines. No action was taken but a proposal was suggested to talk to the District Accountability Committee for input.

The proposal would limit trips to the week of CSAP, which seniors don't take, between winter and spring sports seasons. It would also limit trips to within the state to preserve governmental immunity for the district, and would limit trips to no more than four days and three nights.

In other business, the board approved accreditation of Fleming Schools, elementary, middle and high school, according to the Colorado Department of Education.
Copeland gave a report on enrollment, which stands at 198 including preschool compared to 188 last year on Oct. 1.

The board also approved motions stating Copeland is operating under the limitations of policy EL 12, regarding staff treatment and the district is in compliance with policy B/SR 4, regarding delegation to the superintendent.

Callie Jones: (970) 526-9286; cjones@journal-advocate.com