RIVERSIDE

New bleachers are coming to Highland Elementary School.

The Highland School Board approved an expanded set of bleachers for the school’s gymnasium at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, Nov. 13.

TownsEnd Company, of Urbandale, was selected for the project at a cost of $61,164.

The new bleachers will include eight rows.

“You need every seat you can get in there,” School Board member Dan Ruth said.

“It’ll be a super nice upgrade,” said Schools Superintendent Ken Crawford.

Phone System

The Board also approved a new phone system that will be installed and maintained by Kalona Cooperative Technology Company.

The upgrade will include 90 new phones for district offices and classrooms at a cost of $15,403. Installation and setup is set for $9,600.

Once installed, monthly charges are expected to run $1,171.90.

Early Retirement

The Board approved an early-retirement program for teachers and staffers that would be effective at the end of the school year.

The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2024, for an early retirement that would be effective June 30.

Eligibility requirements include reaching 55 years or older by June 30 and having 10 years of service.

Cash incentives are $10,000, paid out over two years, to district full-time employees, and $2,000, paid out over two years, to classified employees.

School board member Rachel Longbine, who made the motion for the program, said many school districts don’t offer early retirement plans.

“I feel blessed we can offer this to our people,” she said.

Facilities Update

The next meeting of the district’s facilities committee is set for Dec. 13.

A meeting on Nov. 1 started a process of prioritizing projects and cutting financial numbers. Crawford said he is hopeful the final construction costs fall between $10 million and $12 million so that a bond referendum in November 2024 will be tax neutral.

A multi-purpose facility and expanded locker rooms at Highland High School surfaced as high priorities at the Nov. 1 meeting. Among the other projects ranking high on the committee’s list were an HVAC upgrade at Highland Elementary School, an expanded cafeteria at the High School, expanded parking lots and an auditorium.

OPN Architect’s plans call for a presentation to the School Board in January, followed by a number of actions and proposals leading up to the November 2024 vote.

Board Elections

Two current board members, including board president Nate Robinson, were voted into four-year terms during the Nov. 7 election.

Robinson (District 5) and Dan Ruth (District 4) were re-elected to new terms.

Also winning election were John O’Leary, District 2; Joslin Schott, District 6; and Karen Fink, at-large.

The new members are expected to be installed at the board’s annual organizational meeting Nov. 27.

Board Action

The Board approved the appointments of Jarrod Longbine, Junior High baseball coach, and Lillian Shrock, night custodian.

The Board approved a number of school policy updates.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. December 11.