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NEH board approves facilities project

Presentation on proposed reorganization viewed by members

The Northeast Hamilton School Board approved a facilities project and viewed a Power Point presentation on the proposed school reorganization its regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 22 in the Elementary Media Center.

All board members voted to approve the facilities project which includes installation of air conditioning, updating electrical systems, installing new windows in the 1960 building and renovating the tech room for daycare expansion.

Principal/Associate Superintendent Mike Kruger explained that due to increasing enrollment at the Mighty Trojan Day Care Center, an additional room is needed for child care needs.

The estimated cost of the projects is $175,000. The board approved a standard agreement with FEH Design to undertake the project.

The board also reviewed an alternate plan which will be decided at a later date and would include re-roofing Old Main and remodeling the second floor classrooms in the 1960’s addition.

The board voted to pay down $75,000 of the General Obligation Bonds. With $445,000 left on the note, the district has saved taxpayers $417,000 over the course of the bond term, noted Superintendent Mike Sherwood.

“Congratulations on the great decision made by this board to pay this down over the years,” said Sherwood.

Sherwood presented the initial budget proposal for 2018-2019 and estimated that the levy would increase by ten cents to $10.96. Final figures will be determined once the supplemental aid bill is signed by the governor, said Sherwood.

The board also passed the budget guarantee resolution which qualifies the district for an additional $13,000 in state funding.

The board set Thursday, March 22 for the public hearing on the budget.

Kruger announced that the School Improvement Advisory Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in the school cafeteria. In conjunction with the meeting, a review of the School Reorganization plan will be presented. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served.

Sherwood presented a Power Point presentation highlighting the revenue impact of the reorganization on both NEH and Webster City schools. The question will be put before voters in both the Webster City and NEH districts on Tuesday, April 3.

Sherwood told the board that he plans to give the Power Point presentation to several Webster City civic organizations in addition to holding open house meetings at the Webster City Schools.

In addition to the Feb. 27 meeting at NEH, Kruger told the board that NEH will host an open house on March 20 at 6 p.m. in the Elementary School Media Center.

Sherwood informed the board that two issues will be on the April 3 reorganization ballot. The first is the question of the reorganization of the two districts and the other question is the issue of approving the Revenue Purpose Statement.

Sherwood explained that each school district in Iowa receives funding but without an approved Revenue Purpose Statement, a district does not have access to those funds or the flexibility to spend the funds.

The board scheduled the public hearing on the 2018-2019 school calendar for March 22.

In reports, Sherwood told the board that the transportation equity bill has the possibility of bringing $81,000 in state funding back to the district.

Kruger presented his report which included the visit by Jewell Family Dentistry to NEH on Feb. 3 and the 5th-6th grade combined band concert was held at Webster City schools on Feb. 6. Students will also be participating in a celebration of Dr. Seuss’s birthday from Feb. 26- March 2.

Kruger also reported that 4th-6th grade teacher John Seiser has received a grant from Farm Credit Services totaling $2,000. The funds will be used to grow hydroponic vegetables for a classroom project. NEH teachers have also participated in professional development meetings in December, January and February with facilitators from Prairie Lakes AEA, he said.

Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for March 5-6, Kruger announced.

The board accepted the resignation of Matt Vagts as an assistant in school campus snow removal.

As inclement weather was approaching, the board voted to table the board policy updates until its March meeting.

The board changed its April meeting date from the 19th to April 17.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m. in the Elementary Media Center.

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