RIVERSIDE

Highland Community Schools now know the financer, and designer, for its upcoming facilities project.

The School Board, during a Special Meeting held Monday, approved a bid by Northland Securities of Minneapolis to purchase bonds that will be used for the $15 million project and approved OPN Architects of Iowa City as designer.

Northland Securities was the winning firm among six bids received for the project.

The $15 million was secured in a bond referendum vote in November 2024, but was delayed because of a legal challenge.

The resolution approved Monday by the Board calls for the sale of $9.99 million in general obligation bonds.

The interest rate is just above 4%.

OPN Architects has been involved in the facilities project for more than two years, including running public forums leading up to the November 2024 vote.

OPN’s timeline calls for design to take place over the next several months with construction bidding to take place in March 2027 and construction beginning in April.

The project includes the addition of a multipurpose center at Highland High School, a renovation of the entrance area and cafeteria, additional locker rooms for sporting events and additional classrooms at Highland Elementary in Riverside.

The project is expected to be completed by May 2028.

Daycare Program

The Board approved a pay increase of $3,000 for Courtney Dietze’s expanded role as Highland’s daycare coordinator.

Dietze is coordinator of the district’s Summer Adventures daycare program, and received a stipend of $6,000 for that work. She is now also coordinator of the district’s before-school and after-school daycare program during the school year.

Before school hours are 6:30 to 7:40 a.m., after school hours are 3:50 to 5:30 p.m., and Friday hours (on no-school days) are 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The program began Monday at Highland Elementary School gymnasium in Riverside.

Board Action

The Board approved the appointments of Carolina Richardson and Terilyn Hull, Elementary associates; Julie Colbert, BASP site supervisor; Charlotte Price, BASP lead teacher; Graci Boyd, BASP assistant teacher; Brittani Dominguez, Hannah Jacobs, Heather Frank, food service cooks.

Next Meeting

The Board will hold its next formal meeting at 5 p.m. September 14.