×

New board members installed at Blairsburg

NEH?continues talks, plans for potential reorganization with WC

BLAIRSBURG — The Northeast Hamilton School Board installed newly elected board members and discussed procedures for reorganization at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Following protocol, the meeting was called to order with the retiring board in attendance.  Board Secretary Kathy Biere read the school board election results: District Two Director Tyler Burton, 59 votes; District Three Director Sally Greenfield, 56 votes; and At-Large Director Marlin Pruismann, 54 votes.

Following that official action, retiring board member Bruce Mark made a motion to adjourn.

President Eric Patterson and Superintendent Mike Sherwood expressed the district’s appreciation to Mark for his two terms and 12 years of service to the district.

“My thanks to the administration,” responded Mark, who noted he had served on the board through five administrators.  “This is probably the best administration I have served with.”

Mark complimented administrators Sherwood and Principal Mike Kruger, who was absent at the meeting, for their organized, professional expertise.

“You have one major decision facing you,” Mark told the next board members.  “Webster City has been very nice to work with but just remember — Northeast Hamilton School District has value.”

The new NEH School Board reconvened at 6:09 p.m. with Eric Patterson, Marlin Pruismann, Sara Zorn, Tyler Burton and Sally Greenfield. Board Secretary Kathy Biere administered the oath of office for Pruismann, Burton and Greenfield.  The board then re-elected Patterson as president and Pruismann as president pro tempore.

Sherwood reported that the AEA petition for reorganization for both Webster City and NEH is due on Nov. 1.  With 955 voters in the NEH district, approximately 225 signatures are needed in order for the petition to be submitted.  In the Webster City district, 400 signatures are needed.  The issue would be put before the voters in April 2018.  If the April vote fails, the question can be put to another vote in December 2018.

Between now and the November deadline, Sherwood suggested the board schedule several public hearings with possible tours of both schools.  He also asked board members to submit the most frequently asked questions from district patrons so all queries can be addressed.

Sherwood told the board that with reorganization, both school districts will be dissolved and in their place, the Webster City Northeast Hamilton School District will be created. The new district would be operational in the 2020/2021 school year.

Sherwood outlined several issues that need to be addressed by both districts which include the composition of the new school board, tax asking/incentives and district boundaries.  He noted that NEH will proceed on course and pay down its bonds before the 2020 district reorganization is implemented.  

“We want people to know that as a board, our goal is for this building to stay open,” said board member Sara Zorn.  

Marlin Pruismann agreed that NEH would stay open as a part of the new district.

“We want to people to know that we are in a full, long term agreement with Webster City,” said Pruismann and that NEH brings many assets to the partnership. “This building will be here for an extended period of time.”

A recent informal tour of the NEH facilities was attended by Pruismann, Patterson and two members of the Webster City School board. The visiting board members were impressed by what NEH had to offer, said Pruismann.

NEH board members spoke on the opportunities for both districts.  Webster City CSD is at capacity and would benefit from the additional facilities available at NEH.  NEH would benefit from the opportunities of additional professional staff, networks and resources offered by Webster City.

Two possible public meeting days were chosen by the NEH Board with WCCSD to select a date at its Sept. 25 meeting.

In the construction update, Sherwood reported that work on the Bus Barn driveway and green house concrete work will be completed the week of Sept. 25. Two additional hydrants will be installed in the green house and garden area.  Gym windows will be completed once the closure mechanisms arrive.  He noted that several window panes will be replaced.

In the greenhouse, the ceiling will be lowered three feet, the north window will be removed, a double door will be installed and the floor will receive an epoxy coating.

Sherwood presented Kruger’s report in his absence. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sept. 8 opening of the new playground. With the addition of new school-funded equipment, Sherwood noted that a Buddy Bench was also donated to the playground by an anonymous donor.

“We are in pretty good shape and the green house will be done this fall,” Sherwood told the Board. “Construction has gone well and we look forward to getting everything completed.”

Sherwood asked for the board’s direction on the roof of Old Main.  While there is no water infiltration at this time, it should be addressed before a problem arises, he said. 

Previously, the board had debated about demolishing the old building.   But with demolition costs approaching $1 million and additional costs to relocate the boilers, the board was forced to revisit the issue.

“It has character,” said Greenfield of the building.

Sherwood suggested that with the potential reorganization, the added classrooms may be used in the future.

“It is too much of an asset (to tear down),” said Pruismann.  

Pruismann asked about rounding the roof in order to facilitate better drainage and Burton asked the superintendent to seek bids for both a shingle and metal roof.

The board approved 28E agreements:  With South Hamilton – Gene Greenfield, Transportation Director and Matt Schutt, TAG Teacher; With Webster City –  Kathy Biere, Regional Business Office, Cathi Hildebrand, Business Manager, Matt Matteson, Technology Director, Ben Hobert, Elementary Art and Kathy Houck, Media Specialist; With Clarion, Goldfield and Dows – Alison Friesleben, Guidance Counselor.

Sherwood reported that a Modified Allowable Growth request of $54,840 will be submitted to the School Budget Review Committee.

The first of three scheduled informal school board meetings this school year with Webster City, NEH and Stratford will be held on Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

In other business, the board:

• approved the disposal of items that have depreciated out at a value of $1,000 or more.

• accepted an EMC rebate check to the district for the amount of $4,297.

• approved two Open Enrollment requests for students who had recently moved into the district but wished to continue attending school in another district.

In Kruger’s report, three NEH staff members will be trained in the SWITCH wellness program. Also, the Hamilton County Public Health will be conducting immunization audits and the Jeff and Deb Hansen Foundation will be providing healthy snacks for NEH.

Pruismann announced that the Hamilton County Public Health Department will be administering flu shots on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. at the Thrivent Financial office located at 404 Second Street in Blairsburg. Cost is $25 or billing can be done through Medicare or health insurance.

Board members will attend the Iowa School Board convention to be held in Des Moines on Nov. 15-17.

The next regular board meeting will be held on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.46/week.

Subscribe Today