RIVERSIDE

Ken Crawford, Superintendent of Highland Community Schools, was given a one-year extension of his three-year contract by the school board at its monthly meeting June 12, essentially rolling his current deal to another two years.

“I think Ken is doing a great job for us,” said Board Chair Nate Robinson, who recommended the extension to the board.

Crawford is completing his fifth year as Highland Superintendent, but he had just one more year remaining on a three-year contract that began in 2021. The extension carries his contract through the 2024-25 school year.

“I think we’re making positive changes here at Highland,” Crawford told The News.

Crawford’s salary for the 2023-24 school year is $156,466.

Crawford is shared with the WACO Community School District, but Highland carries the contract and is reimbursed by WACO for his time there. The sharing agreement is 80% Highland and 20% WACO.

When Crawford began at Highland in 2018, he was shared with the Lone Tree Community School District. Lone Tree now has its own schools superintendent.

Crawford has overseen improvements at both the Highland High School/Middle School complex and Highland Elementary School in Riverside at a time of declining enrollment. School taxes in the district have decreased over recent years and bond issues have financed facility improvements. Crawford and other school officials are working closely with OPN Architects of Iowa City as more facility improvements are considered for 2025 and beyond.

“We need to grow,” Crawford said of the district’s enrollment. “It’s just that simple.”

Board Elections

Seats for five school board positions will be up for election in November.

The five positions (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 is 5 p.m. Sept. 21. The application period begins Aug. 28, but documents are now available at the Highland Schools District Office.

Elections are Nov. 7.

Bus Purchase

The district will be getting a new bus.

The board approved purchasing a 2024 Hogeland stock bus for $123,000, along with an additional $5,500 for a camera system.

Crawford said one of the district’s buses has about 149,000 in miles and another is at 120,000.

Board Action

The Board approved a technology service agreement with Grant Wood Area Education Agency for $50,500.

The Board approved Johnson County Refuse as its sanitation service for the 2023-24 school year, and Stewart & Sons of Ainsworth as its gas and fuel supplier. Combined, the sanitation charge for the high/middle school and elementary school is $950 per month.

The Board approved the appointments of Mike Eden, assistant girls basketball coach at the high school, and Dave Gerot, bus driver.

The Board approved a number of district policies.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. July 10.