RIVERSIDE

The Highland Community School Board closed the books on Fiscal Year 2023 at its monthly meeting Monday, approving the certified annual report for the 2022-23 school year.

Among the district’s $7.9 million spent in general funds was $2.8 million in teacher salaries, more than $165,000 in executive administration, and more than $250,000 in instruction services improvement and student transportation.

Ken Crawford, Schools Superintendent, said he was happy with the financial numbers, and the Board approved the certified report.

In total, all expenditures and accounting, and revenues from local property taxes, and state and federal aid topped $11 million.

In addition to teacher salaries, employee benefits topped $865,000.

Transportation costs averaged out to $945.30 per student transported.

The Board approved the annual transportation report and Special Education supplements in addition to the FY23 certified report.

FFA Trip

Five Highland students are headed to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis at the end of October.

The trip is being organized by Highland’s Agricultural and FFA Sponsor, Sheila Seils.

Students going on the trip were tasked with finding financial sponsors for the trip. They will leave Highland High School on Oct. 31 and return Nov. 4.

The Board approved the trip.

Facilities Update

The Board approved a pre-bond agreement of $9,000 with OPN Architects of Iowa City as a part of a facilities-planning project that began in August with a meeting that included School Board members, Crawford and a large number of community residents.

The committee is tasked with examining and developing the district’s priority list for new and improved facilities.

A bond referendum is being planned for the November 2024 election ballot. The amount of the bond is not yet finalized, but it could fall between $13 million and $15 million.

OPN’s plans call for a presentation to the School Board in January, followed by a number of actions and proposals leading up to the November 2024 vote. Among the possibilities for new facilities are a school auditorium, an additional gym and expanded parking lots at the high school.

The committee’s next meeting is Nov. 1.

Board Action

The Board approved Gracie C. Mae Advocate Center in Washington as a provider in the area of behavorial health intervention services.

The Board approved the purchase of a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado for the maintenance department at a cost of $32,975.

The Board approved early graduation applications submitted by Jordan Brown, Jackson Keller and Aaron Schaedler.

The Board approved an updated version of the National Honor Society bylaws.

The Board approved the appointments of Allen Rath, varsity baseball coach; Logan Moeller, varsity boys track coach; Christyna Tabron, elementary special education associate; Clint Jones and Peggy Schwab, FBLA sponsors; Chris Schooley, night custodian; and Jeff Britt, van driver.

The Board approved a number of district policies.

The Board heard a report from several elementary school students about the School of the Wild program.

Next board meeting: The board will hold its next monthly meeting at 5 p.m. November 13.