RIVERSIDE

A public hearing for the Highland Community Schools property tax levy covering Fiscal Year 2025 will be held March 25.

The proposed tax rate is $13 per $1,000 of property, which is the same as the current year. The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2024.

Details of the proposed tax levy and FY25 budget were presented to the Highland School Board at its Monday session by Sue Rich, the Board’s Secretary and Business Manager.

The district’s proposal includes $4.6 million in tax revenue, which is up from this year’s $4.3 million. Among other sources of income, the district expects to receive $3.8 million in state aid, up from this year’s $3.7 million.

Total income is estimated to be $11.5 million.

Total spending is estimated to be $10.8 million, up from this year’s $10.6 million. A public hearing for the FY25 budget (school year 2024-25) will be held April 8. The state deadline for district budgets is April 30.

Rising Sports

Athletic numbers are going up at Highland High School.

Jody Fink, Activities Director, told the Board that football participants have doubled under the direction of head coach Cory Quail. Sign-ups for 2024 football are at 37. Another 23 are participating on the junior high level.

Volleyball numbers are also up to about 40 and Fink asked the Board if a third coach could be added to the program.

“That becomes very difficult with two coaches,” Fink said.

Soccer practices began Monday and Fink said more than 30 had signed up. The numbers have grown so large that the Huskies may play JV games this spring. The Huskies begin their season March 26 against Mid-Prairie.

Washington High School partnered with Highland in girls wrestling this year and Fink said Washington has asked if Highland had athletes wishing to do swimming.

Video Board Request

The Board adopted a resolution requesting $137,454 in Washington County Riverboat Foundation funds for video message boards that would be placed in front of Highland High School and Middle School, and also in downtown Riverside along Highway 22.

The Riverside City Council previously approved $38,951 for its share of the message board that would be situated near the city’s fire station.

“I think this is a really good idea,” Board member Dan Ruth said of a partnership with Riverside.

Board Actions

The Board approved an FY23 audit report prepared by Kay L. Chapman, CPA PD, of Muscatine.

The Board approved the appointments of Mario Lopez, assistant soccer coach, and Brandon Devillier, assistant golf coach, and the resignations of Nick Cole, girls wrestling head coach, and Ashlee Fisher, dance team sponsor.

The Board approved a number of policy updates.

Next Meeting

The board will hold its next meeting at 5 p.m. March 25. A work session will follow the public hearing on the district’s tax levy ask for FY25.