Daniel hired for new dean of students position
Carly Daniel was approved as a teacher on special assignment as the Holyoke Elementary School dean of students/response to intervention coordinator at the May 17 meeting of the Holyoke School District Board of Education.
Elementary Principal Andrea Kammer recommended Daniel for the position, which is new to the school district.
Daniel has worked in the district for 10 years and has been the elementary RTI coordination while being a full-time teacher for the last five years.
She completed her principal license in 2018 through the University of Northern Colorado and already helps with athletic and activity supervision in addition to student behavior when Kammer is out of the building.
Kammer said Daniel will continue with those roles as well as the RTI coordinator position. “With the number of students needing some extra support, Mrs. Daniel will be busy with the RTI position,” said Kammer.
She noted that Daniel will also help with math intervention and reading blocks — both of which she has experience with.
The board also approved the hiring of Cheri Bornhoft as an elementary special education teacher for the 2022-23 school year.
On the topic of staff, JR/SR high Principal Angela Powell took time at the meeting to explain her proposal for a new position that will split between classes for English language learners and Spanish classes.
She said that over the last several years, the number of newcomer ELL students at the upper grade levels has increased, and those students need both language support and cultural support.
“I’m worried we will lose traction in closing gaps for students,” said Powell.
At the time of the meeting, 20% of JR/SR high students were enrolled in the ELL program.
Powell said that they don’t need another full-time ESL teacher but could really use a part-time teacher. She also noted that Spanish teacher Stefan Betley is moving into more of a technology role, so there’s definitely a need for a foreign language teacher.
Powell would like to be able to offer Spanish I locally since it’s part of a graduation requirement, but higher levels of Spanish and other languages can be taken as online courses. She said there’s also a need for heritage Spanish classes for students who already speak Spanish but need formal training.
“This is another tool we can provide to kids to make them successful,” said Powell.
Ring resigns from board
At the May 17 meeting, the board approved the resignation of board member Brady Ring.
In a letter, Ring said that with his current travel employment, it was nearly impossible for him to devote the appropriate time to review materials and attend regular meetings. He expressed interest in future involvement with the school district as his schedule allows.
The board will likely adopt a resolution declaring a vacancy at its next meeting and from that point will have 60 days to appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
To be eligible for appointment, a candidate must be a registered elector of the school district for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the date of appointment and must not have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child.
Food service contract approved
The board approved a food service contract with Chartwells for the 2022-23 school year.
Superintendent Kyle Stumpf said that it’s based on a three-year commitment, and Holyoke will get a price break due to the ability to buy food in bulk within a cooperative of other area schools.
He also mentioned that the Chartwells menus will now have more flexibility than they have in past years.
Starting in the fall, breakfast and lunch will no longer be free as they were in the 2021-22 school year because of a program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It’s important for families to get back in the habit of submitting household income information through the school meal application for free and reduced-cost meals.
Families might even be eligible for groceries, discounted school fees, internet, etc. By filling out the form, they are also helping the school district receive additional funding through grants and nutrition programs.
Stumpf said that if enough students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals, the district could possibly get free breakfast for students in K-8.
Extra-duty assignments approved
At the May 17 meeting, the board approved the following extra-duty assignments for the 2022-23 school year:
Irene Ortega, head HS volleyball; Ashley Hoffner, assistant HS volleyball; Kendra Schlachter, head HS softball; Alyssa Metzger and Chandler Gerk, assistant HS softball; Rebecca Owens, volunteer HS softball; Dusty Sprague, head HS football; Logan Hines, Bryan Beckner, Aaron Sprague and Russ Sprague, assistant HS football; Matt Kleve, assistant HS boys golf.
Broc Pelle, head wrestling; Parker Redfern, assistant HS wrestling; Emily Krogmeier, head HS girls swim; Dani Brandt, assistant HS girls swim; Colbey Stumpf, head HS boys basketball; Marcus Kammer, assistant HS boys basketball; John Baumgartner, head HS girls basketball; Kyle Carper, assistant HS girls basketball.
Nick Flaa, head HS girls golf; Marcia Dalton, assistant HS girls golf; Corey Koberstein, head HS track; Dani Jablonski and Ashley Gales, assistant HS track; Beckner, strength and conditioning.
Aaron Mosenteen, head JH football; Dusty McConnell and Greg Koellner, assistant JH football; Kali Hines, head JH girls basketball; Jes-c French, play and musical director; and Schlachter, athletic trainer.
Other business
In other business at the May 17 meeting, the board:
— Reviewed the district’s preliminary budget with Ben Rahe, budget and finance director.
— Approved roof repairs at the district-owned superintendent’s house not to exceed $11,000.
— Approved the renewal health insurance package from Hub International under UMR Health for the district for the 2022-23 school year.
— Approved Lauer, Szabo & Associates for the district’s 2021-22 audit.