RIVERSIDE

The cost of season athletic passes will nearly double in 2024-25 at Highland High School.

The Highland Community School Board approved activity and meal costs during its June 10 meeting, including an increase in adult activity passes that will go from $90 to $175.

Student and senior citizen passes will rise to $50, from $35. For senior citizens living in the school district, free passes may be obtained from the Highland Administration Office.

Schools Superintendent Ken Crawford said funds from the annual passes go to an athletics/activities general fund, which is used to help cover shortages in covering the cost of uniforms, officials and other needs. Gates at each sport, plus fundraising, pay for uniforms and other costs, but some sports do not have admission gates (cross country and golf among them).

A family season pass is increasing from $225 to $450 and a two-person adult season pass is going from $160 to $300.

The prices of single-day lunches are going up 10 cents, from $3.15 to $3.25 at the Elementary School and from $3.40 to $3.50, Grades 6-12. The single-day breakfast fee is $2, Grades K-5, and $2.10, Grades 6-12.

Chromebooks for Students

The district is purchasing more than 200 Chromebooks for students and 16 Dell laptop computers for teachers as part of a technology update plan.

The Board approved a bid of $69,250 from BlueAlly in Cary, North Carolina, for the purchase of the computers. Students use the Chromebooks for online assignments. High school students take the computers home while younger students use the Chromebooks only in class.

There is no usage fee for the computers, but the Board did approve a list of fees for lost or damaged computers.

COVID Policy

Among the policy readings approved by the board was the cancellation of a COVID-19 policy that was put into place in 2022.

The policy required vaccinations, face coverings and weekly testing of employees who were not vaccinated.

Sports Coaches

Shannon Hills was appointed as head varsity volleyball coach and Karlee Hugg was appointed as the assistant.

Jarrod Longbine was appointed baseball assistant coach.

Board Actions

The Board approved a $56,000 Fiscal Year 2025 agreement with Grant Wood Area Education Agency for technology services for the district.

The Board approved a plan to sell one of the district’s buses.

The Board approved a bid by Smith Sanitation Services of Johnston to serve the district in FY25 at a monthly cost of $1,035. Smith Sanitation was among three bidders.

The Board approved the appointments of Mackenzie Streveler and Emma Christensen, Elementary School teachers; Jenny Lichty, Secondary science teacher; Jeremiah Carter, Secondary music teacher; Selena Calderon, Elementary special education associate; and Sara Sublette, cook; and the resignations of Jennifer McClenahan, Secondary music teacher; Drake Bezina, Elementary teacher; and Clint Jones, Junior High baseball coach.

The Board approved a number of policy updates.

Next Meeting

The board will hold its next formal meeting at 5 p.m. July 8. A work session has been scheduled for June 24 in Ainsworth.