RIVERSIDE

The Highland School Board approved $1,700 annual across-the-board pay raises for school administrators in the 2026-27 school year, along with a number of other pay increases, during its regularly scheduled meeting Monday.

A number of increases for classified staff were also approved, including the starting pay rate for staff being increased from $13 to $14 an hour and various pay increases for bus drivers.

In April, the Board approved $1,000 pay raises for teachers.

Monday, the Board approved 2026-27 contracts for administrators and directors, and classified staff.

Bond Work

Now that the district has won an Iowa Supreme Court decision that clears the way for the use of a $15 million bond referendum that was approved by voters in November 2024, school officials are making plans to resume the initiatives they had started more than a year ago.

The first step is a Board retreat that is scheduled for June 17 and may include a presentation from OPN Architects of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. OPN Architects has taken the lead on designs of facility improvements that will include a multipurpose activities center, new athletic locker rooms, a new lobby and cafeteria area at Highland High School and expanded classroom space at Highland Elementary.

“We can move forward now and have something to really be proud of,” Board Vice President Dan Ruth said.

While the bond was approved in November 2024, district officials said property tax bills will not include the bond in Fiscal Year 2027, but will crank up in Fiscal Year 2028, which begins July 1, 2027. The delay is due to a legal challenge that had been caught in the courts until this month.

Merit Scholar

Riviera Foley, a Highland High School junior, has been named a National Merit Scholar.

She won a state championship in Microsoft PowerPoint, and placed second in Excel and Word. She’ll represent Iowa at the 2026 Microsoft National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee, in June.

Graduation

Graduation Day is Sunday at Highland.

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m.

Board Action

The Board approved a 2025-26 budget amendment.

The Board approved a $9,760 contract with Vista Software of Center Point.

The Board approved a $29,374 proposal from BlueAlly of Atlanta, Georgia, for the purchase of 26 laptop computers.

The Board approved a $1,200 agreement with Food Service Solutions.

The Board approved a $1,220 school safety contract with GeoComm of St. Cloud, Minn.

The Board approved a $61,000 contract with Grant Wood Area Education Agency.

The Board approved appointments of Jeremiah Carter, secondary schools vocal music instructor and sponsor; Lacey Stransky, High School Student Council sponsor; Jonathan Chaney, daycare lead teacher; Siena Stanerson and Larissa Murphy, daycare assistant teachers.

Next Meeting

The Board will hold its next formal meeting at 5 p.m. June 8.