RIVERSIDE

Participation numbers in cross country running are at a four-year high at Highland High School while football participation is at a four-year low.

Activity numbers for fall 2023 were released and discussed at the Highland School Board’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Sept. 11.

Seventeen student-athletes are competing in cross country at the high school, an increase of six from last year. The number of male runners increased from 6 to 11.

Football and volleyball numbers are both down this fall. In football, participation is at 19, down 8 from last year. Volleyball is at 34 girls, a decrease of 5.

Also seeing increases are increases in cheerleading (9 this fall) and the drill team (17, including

The Huskies football team lost 28-22 to Van Buren last Friday for its third consecutive loss, but that was the closest game for the team in two seasons. The Homecoming game against Columbus is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Facilities Meeting

The first meeting of a district-wide facilities committee was held August 28 with a next meeting scheduled for Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.

Committee members are meeting with OPN Architects, an Iowa City design firm that was chosen to assess facilities and plans for possible projects. The committee includes a number of community residents, along with Schools Superintendent Ken Crawford, and School Board members Dan Ruth and Mike Golden. The committee is tasked with examining and developing the district’s priority list for new and improved facilities.

Plans point toward the resumption of a school bond in late 2024 or 2025 once the current bond is paid off, subject to voters’ approval.

Board Election

The November election will include the selection of five board members for four-year terms.

The five seats (along with current board members): District 2 (Michael Golden), District 4 (Dan Ruth), District 5 (Melissa Murphy), District 6 (Josh Thomann) and At-Large (Nate Robinson).

The deadline for turning in election applications to the Highland Board Office is 5 p.m. September 21.

Reconsideration Committee

Three community members were named to the six-person Reconsideration Committee for the 2023-24 school year.

Molly Hartzler, Jess McFarland and Jaden Prottsman were named to the committee, which takes on a role of mediation in a number of situations, when requested.

Also on the committee are high school principal Angela Hazelett, librarian Anna Marlin and sixth-grade social studies and science teacher Jayme Kallaus.

Board Action

The Board approved a resolution clearing the way to apply for a Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant. The district is seeking more than $69,000 for a bleachers project at Highland Elementary School.

The Board approved a spring 2024 trip to Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, for the high school choir and band.

The Board approved the appointment of Mike Roder, industrial tech teacher.

The Board approved a number of district policies.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. October 9.