RIVERSIDE

Highland Schools and OPN Architects, a construction design firm based in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, are reopening a partnership for a $15 million renovation project at Highland High School and Highland Elementary.

Monday, at its regularly scheduled meeting, the School Board approved a letter-of-intent proposal from the OPN Design Team.

The next step is a meeting between Highland School Board members and members of the OPN Design Team during the Board’s summer retreat session June 17 at the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort.

A lawsuit that challenged the November 2024 $15 million bond referendum vote caused a pause in plans for the renovation project. A favorable decision by the Iowa Supreme Court has resulted in the plans starting up again.

Proposed facility improvements 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.

Student Fees

The Board approved student fees for the 2026-27 school year, including $50 for book rentals for students in Grades 6-12 and $40 for those in K through 5. The fee is for the entire school year.

Also approved was an annual instrument rental fee of $25.

Principals Presentation

Highland Secondary Schools Principal Angela Hazelett, Assistant Principal Bill Zywiec and Highland Elementary Principal Jane O’Leary gave a presentation to the Board on various scores and improvements in the school district.

Hazelett said all of this year’s high school graduates had college credits and 50% of those in Grade 10 and above did job shadowing. Zywiec reported that scholarships for 2026 grads had topped $107,000.

O’Leary listed a number of achieved goals at the Elementary School, including minimum one-year growths in reading and math scores.

Board Action

The Board approved a School Librarian service agreement, PowerSchool software and support agreement, and a transfer of state funding with Grant Wood Area Education Agency.

The Board approved job descriptions for Elementary School and Secondary Schools secretary positions.

The Board tabled a decision on a sanitation annual bid.

The Board accepted $1,353 in the Hills Bank Classroom Cash program.

The Board approved appointments of Claire Vlcko, Secondary Schools art teacher; Amanda Smith, preschool teacher; Patti Britt, Secondary associate; Olivia Simpson and Charlotte Price, Daycare lead teachers.

Next Meeting

The Board will hold its next formal meeting at 5 p.m. July 13.