Lamar RE-2 meeting of March 9, 2026

The Lamar RE-2 School District board met for a regular monthly meeting on March 9,m 2026.  All board members were present, with Jake Chamberlain and Robbie Adamson attending virtually.  Both student board members were present as well.  The board discussed an item brought up at the last meeting, concerning investing money in local banks by purchasing CDs.  It was ultimately decided to split the investments between Frontier Bank and GN Bank, purchasing a 12-month CD at Frontier and a 6-month CD at GN.  The GN CD will be reviewed prior to its maturity date with the possibility of extending another 6 months.  Information was presented to the board regarding options for employee health insurance. No decision was made regarding same – it was strictly information at this point.

Washington Elementary Principal Kenny Davis gave updates on activities at the school.  The Kids Heart Challenge raised $5,600 for the American Heart Association.  The recent book fair at the school raised $8,472, of which the school keeps 40%.  The Backman Charitable Trust Fund allowed for each student to receive two free books.  “Read Across America Week” was a big hit with students, with each day of that week revolving around Dr. Seuss books and included dress-up themes relating to books read on those days.  He brought with him to the meeting examples of three second-grade students’ writing projects.  The students were asked to write about the subject of whether school should be held on weekends.  Predictably, two of the three examples listed reasons why school shouldn’t be held on weekends and included such things as wanting to sleep in and “be lazy”, being able to watch TV, as well as not being able to attend church or visit family.  The example he read from a student who supported the idea used reasons including seeing their friends more and for getting more education that will be needed to someday go to college.  Parkview Principal Mat Biszak and LEAP & Technology Principal Rachel Dunning’s reports to the board revolved around absenteeism in schools and how to engage parents more to help with this.

Several travel study trip requests were approved by the board.  These included 4^th and 5^th grade students going to Mid America Air Museum in Liberal April 1, 2026, The LHS Concert Band to Widefield High School for CHSAA competition April 1 as well as to Arvada High School & Elitches for competition May 2.  The LHS FBLA students travel to state competition at Gaylord of the Rockies in Denver April 2-4.  LHS health students travel to CSU Spur Campus in Denver April 8.  Parkview, LMS and LHS MLL students will travel to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo April 25.  LHS DECA students will attend the National Conference in Atlanta, GA April 25-29.  LHS and LMS students will travel to the state science fair at CSU-Ft. Collins April 8-11.

Approved were revised policies GCBA-E-1 – Administrator Salary Schedule, GCBA-E-2 – Certified Salary Schedule, GCBC-E – Extra Duty Salary Schedule, and GDBA-E – Classified Salary Schedule.  Several personnel position changes were approved.  These included transition years for Tara Sailors-Eddy, Teacher at LMS, and Sandra Sniff, Science teacher at LHS.  Retirements were approved for Sherry Scofield, Intervention Teacher at Washington, and Nancy Steffen, Paraprofessional at Parkview.  Approved hirings were: Annette Almanzan, Paraprofessional/LHS; Alyssa Bumann, Paraprofessional/LHS; Dominic Canete, Classified Substitute; Colton Eberhardt, Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach/LHS; Dianeyd Lopez, Paraprofessional/LMS; Arien Lucero, Certified Substitute; Olivia Perez, Certified Substitute; Sebrina Reed, Attendance Secretary/LMS; Toni Servati, Certified Substitute, Dylan McTaggart, Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach LHS, Hanna Price, Certified District substitute and Bernadice Silva, Classified Substitute.  A resignation by Donna Ferguson, Paraprofessional/LHS was approved and transfers by Christjan Nieschburg from Assistant Baseball Coach/LMS to Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach and by Delfina Perales from Attendance Secretary/LMS to Health Clerk/Parkview and Washington.

Administrative contracts for the 2026/2027 school year were approved.  These were: Steve Banker, District Curriculum Coordinator (4 hours a day); Greg Eddy, Principal LHS; Chris Medina, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director LHS; Brandon Adamson, Principal LMS; Dayne Eaton, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director LMS; Mathew Bizsak, Principal Parkview Elementary; Kenneth Davis, Principal Washington Elementary; Rachel Dunning, Principal/Alternative Education Lincoln.

By: Barbara Crimond