RIVERSIDE

The renewal of a state tax fund used, in part, for facility and technology improvements in Highland schools will appear on the November 7 ballot.

The Highland School Board, during its regularly scheduled monthly meeting Monday, passed a resolution allowing for the ballot question.

Ken Crawford, Highland Community Schools Superintendent, told the Board that the move would not raise local property taxes. The money, provided through Iowa’s Secure and Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) penny tax, has been extended through the end of 2050.

State law requires the approval of the Highland Revenue Purpose Statement to allow the school district access to those funds after 2029. A simple majority in the November election would carry the approval.

Approval or disapproval of the ballot question would not affect the statewide sales tax. It remains in place no matter the ballot results.

The Highland school district has used the funds for building construction, technology infrastructure improvements, a wastewater project, and a camera system and software.

Board Election

The November ballot will also include the selection of five board members for four-year terms.

The five seats (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 application period for candidates begins August 28, and applications are available at the district’s board office at the high school. The deadline for turning in election applications is 5 p.m. September 21.

School Time, Lunch Time

When schools open next week, seniors at Highland High School will be headed to a lounge for lunch.

That’s the perk of being a senior.

Angela Hazelett, the high school principal, said freshmen and sophomores would eat in the school cafeteria, juniors would eat at tables set up in hallways and seniors get the lounge. Soda machines will be removed from the former teachers’ lounge, but a fridge and microwave will be available for the students.

The first day of school is Wednesday, September 23. New teachers report for training this week, Thursday and Friday, and all teachers will have in-service days next Monday and Tuesday.

“Load Your Locker Night” will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday, August 20, at the high school and middle school.

Jane O’Leary, Highland Elementary Principal, said elementary students will be required to keep cell phones in their backpacks and “smart” watches turned off during classes. If parents need to get in touch with a child, O’Leary said, they can call the school office and contact will be made from there.

Facilities Meeting

The first meeting of a district-wide facilities committee is scheduled for Monday, August 28.

The committee, which will be overseen by Crawford, will meet with members of OPN Architects, an Iowa City design firm that was chosen to assess facilities and plans for possible projects.

The committee of about 30 members will include School Board members Dan Ruth and Mike Golden, along with a number of community members. The committee is tasked with examining and developing the district’s priority list for new and improved facilities.

The August 28 meeting will be open to the public, as other Board meetings are.

Plans point toward the resumption of a school bond in late 2024 or 2025 once the current bond is paid off, subject to voters’ approval.

Spain Trip

Monday’s meeting included a presentation by Molly Zywiec, a high school Spanish teacher who led a group of faculty and students who went to Spain on a school-sponsored summer trip.

Among the locations they visited was the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, the Costa del Sol coastal region on the Mediterranean Sea, and stops in Seville and Toledo.

Board Action

The Board approved a bid of $31,691 with Martin Brothers Distributing of Cedar Falls for additional kitchen equipment at the high/middle school and elementary school. The district is receiving $5,850 from the USDA Food Service Equipment Grant program.

The Board approved an agreement with Iowa Family Counseling of Kalona, which provides mental health diagnosis and therapy services at no cost to the school district.

The Board approved a sale of a district bus to Marion Avenue Baptist Church in Washington for $4,123.

The Board approved the appointment of Selena Calderon, general cook.

The Board approved the schools and activities handbook.

The Board approved a number of district policies, on second reading.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. September 11.