The Webster City School Board had some good news Monday night: Enrollment is higher than expected in the kindergarten classes.

“We projected 127 students, or 21.6 kids per section. As of tonight, we have 136 registered, so we are advertising for another kindergarten teacher,” Superintendent Matt Berninghaus said during his report.

The goal, he continued, is to have between 21 and 23 students per class. A new teacher will make the average 19.4 students per class.

In addition, the school system held its new teacher orientation last week, welcoming 18 new teachers.

Kurt Veldhuizen, who teaches agriculture education for the Webster City Community School District, also indicated the Career Ag Academy building is coming along and will be ready when school starts.

After the meeting, he said there will be an open house sometime after Labor Day.

Keith Halleland, of Webster City, spoke, offering to help the Northeast Hamilton school music departments. Halleland is a Blairsburg native.

“I want to instill more spirit in the schools,” he said. “I want to do a fundraiser on Friday, September 12, with the funds going to the Northeast Hamilton music and elementary band departments.”

Halleland said he will cover all the costs for the musician and other expenses and will hold it at the Blairsburg Opera House, with all the revenues given to use for the school music programs. The event will be held in conjunction with the United Church of Christ in Williams, with the cost for admission to be a freewill donation.

Kathy Getting, of Webster City, asked the board for its endorsement of a petition she is submitting on behalf of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

“We are asking for a resolution to phase out the school voucher,” she said. “We have signatures from Democrats, Republicans and independents.”

Getting said one of the signatures was from a parent who has a child enrolled at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School who told her: “If you want to send your children to private school, you need to pay for it.”