RIVERSIDE

The Highland Community Schools District is partnering with OPN Architects of Iowa City as it considers additions and updates to its buildings and athletic facilities.

The School Board approved a $35,000 agreement with OPN at its regularly scheduled meeting held May 8. The agreement includes the assessment of the district’s current buildings and athletic facilities, as well as assisting with the formation of a Facility Advisory Committee that will be made up of administrators, board members, district staff, parents and students.

Ken Crawford, Schools Superintendent, told The News that the committee will consist of about 30 members and be finalized in June.

OPN plans to begin facility assessments in June with a kickoff meeting of the facility committee in July. Regular meetings will follow in the months after that.

Crawford has previously noted the need for expanded locker rooms and parking at Highland High School. School Board members have also discussed the possibility of other facilities, including an indoor athletics training center.

The 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.

Excellence Award

Jody Fink, Highland’s Activities Director and driver’s education instructor, was presented with an Iowa Donor Network Excellence in Partnership Award.

Fink, who is also girls basketball head coach and health/physical ed teacher, was one of five Excellence in Partnership Award winners. He was recognized as a Donation Champion winner.

“I am honored to have been selected for the award and would like everyone to think about organ donation,” Fink told The News. “One person can help the lives of seven to nine people with organ donation and hundreds more with the tissue and ligament-cartilage donation around the world. Thank you to the Iowa Donor Network and all that are donors.”

The awards are given to those who demonstrate a commitment to education about organ, eye and tissue donation, and advocating for donors and their families. Fink was recognized for providing donation education to students in his health and driver’s education classes.

2023-24 Registration

The board approved registration fees, lunch fees and activity passes for the 2023-24 school year.

Annual registration costs range from $40 for students in kindergarten through Grade 5 to $50 for those in Grades 6-12. The monthly cost for 3-year-old preschool is $135.

Daily lunch costs will be $3.15 for K-5 and $3.40 for Grades 6-12. Breakfast is $2 for K-5 and $2.10 for 6-12. Reduced lunch will be 40 cents per day; breakfast, 30 cents.

Activity passes are $35 for students and $90 for adults. A family pass is $225. The annual cost for a senior citizen pass is $35. A free pass may be obtained for senior citizens living in the district.

Board Action

The Board approved a shared agreement with Great Prairie Area Education Agency for librarian services at a cost of $21,800, effective July 1.

The Board approved a low bid of $88,575 from TriMark Corp. of New Hampton for a number of kitchen equipment items, including two ovens.

The Board approved the appointments of Kaden Wray, Grade 3 teacher; Abigail Yoder, Kindergarten teacher; Elizabeth Coeburn, Elementary Special Education teacher; Brooke Hitchcock, Middle School and High School Math teacher; Noah Holden, general cook.

The Board approved a number of district policies.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. June 12. A work session is scheduled for May 22 at 5 p.m.