Highland School Board Meeting

by Ranee Fladung

This was the best group of students, they spoke Spanish all the time and wanted to learn and experience new things

“It was so cool.”
“We didn’t want to leave.”
“This was the best group of students, they spoke Spanish all the time and wanted to learn and experience new things.”
Those were just a few comments made by Highland students and their teacher Margaret Guetzko Monday to Highland board members, thanking the board for allowing the student excursion to Mexico, specifically Merida, Yucatan. Lee Finke, Cassie Kasdorf, Brittany Steward, and Mollie Kloepfer talked about staying with host families and the bonds they made. The group visited museums, malls, the beach, a cinote, and Chichen Itza (Mayan ruins).
Russell Fox, maintenance director, presented the board with a summer projects list with a cost estimate of $41,000. Projects at Ainsworth include fixing the south sidewalk and replacing the steps, replacing four windows in the gym, adding railings to the bleachers, and replacing approximately 48 desks. At Riverside, mulch will be added in the front of the building to the flower beds. At the high school and middle school plans are to replace and add sidewalks and replace the bus barn doors with a single door. Fox said he would like to purchase a new route bus and one to use for trips with storage compartments. The board approved the projects list and directed Fox to look into purchasing a bus and see about bids for next month.
In other business, the board:
• received a check from Hills Bank and Trust for Classroom Cash in the amount of $811.25. Board member Cindy Michel said since the program began in 2004, the school has received $5,792.51;
• was presented a check by Dennis Lampe on behalf of the Knights of Columbus – Richmand, St. Mary’s and Wellman for $419.81 to be used for the special needs program. Lampe said the group sold tootsie rolls and this donation represents two years of sales;
• learned that letters had gone out to parents about summer school sessions at Riverside and Ainsworth.
• decided not to increase the registration, student fees and lunch fees for this year;
• learned that the Highland Band recieved a I rating at Large Group Contest this weekend;
• approved the list of 51 seniors to graduate this Sunday at 1:30 p.m. provided they meet requirements;
• accepted the resignations of Emily Wehr, Family Consumer Science teacher; Lauren Taylor, Guidance Counselor; Adam Hoffman, Instrumental instructor; Sonya Manley, Breakfast cook at Ainsworth Elementary; Laura Benitz, kindergarten associate at Ainsworth, and Shawna Manz, Jr High girls basetball;
• approved appointing Shawn Loy as School Nurse. Loy will continued to teach the Health Academy. Jean Harmston as middle school special education, Jody Kinkk as Junior High track and head girls basketball coach and Crystal Dunlap as wrestling cheer sponsor; and
• set the next meeting for June 9, 2009 in the high school media center.