Girls’ basketball recognized at school board meeting

CRESCO - The girls’ basketball team was acknowledged for their state championship during the April 9 Howard-Winneshiek School Board meeting.

• More student recognition took place when the FFA Ag Issues Team Debate presentation was given by seven girls. They discussed pros and cons in regards to VFD and medicated feed and how new regulations are causing a hardship on farmers, veterinarians and ag-related businesses. The group has to practice in front of an audience three times before going to state April 22-24.

• Supt. Ted Ihns explained because of weather-related issues, 15.5 hours need to be made up at the end of the year on May 23-25. “There are 44.5 hours built in, and we have taken 60 hours,” he said. “This can still change daily because of weather.”

He was happy to report the school district received $6,000 in grants from Howard County Community Foundation.

A Career Day was to take place on April 11. Students from South Winn., Notre Dame and How-Winn. were to attend. “This allows our students to see if [one of the jobs] is something they really want to do.”

Ihns also explained the backfill issue. In 2013, businesses received a tax credit that helped them, but took money away from cities, counties and school districts. The legislature was debating whether to provide state dollars to backfill those shortfalls. For How-Winn, the hit to the budget is over $81,738. Later in the meeting, the board voted unanimously to send a letter of recommendation to state legislators, voicing their opposition to any reduction in the backfill.

The superintendent also noted good things happening in Mrs. Riehle’s art class.

• The board approved the budget guarantee. Business Manager/Board Secretary Robyn Lane stated, due to declining enrollment, the district didn’t receive as much funding as last year, but the law allows districts to ask for spending authority to make up the difference.

• The JAMF software renewal was approved, with an additional $1,000 cost to allow technicians and others to use the cloud.

• Estes Construction was accepted as the contractor for the softball/baseball stadium at a total cost of $405,024. An additional blacktopping project was nixed for the present time due to expense.

Work would begin right after the summer season and should conclude in October or November.

• FLR Sanders were recommended by Building & Grounds Director Larry Trende for sanding and finishing the high school gym floor. Its bid of $19,900 was $200 higher than Stalkers, but FLR is more familiar with the floor as they refinish it every year.

Trende explained resanding is done every 7-9 years.

• The board okayed combining several prom accounts and renaming it “Junior Prom Account.”

• The 2018-19 budget was approved.

• Skip Eckhardt was hired as the new Head Football Coach at the Feb. 12 school board meeting. His assistant coaches were approved at the April 9 meeting. They included Justin Denner, Ryan Harrod, Ryan McCarville, Jason Sorenson and Chris Sullivan.

In addition, resignations were accepted from Greg Hiemstra, Dean of Students/Activities Director; Gideon Matchey, fifth-sixth band director and seventh grade general music instructor; Lindsay Steinmetz, football/competition cheerleading; and Kathryn Bateman, food service.

Brian Munkel went from assistant softball coach to volunteer and Alicia Denner went from seventh grade basketball coach to assistant varsity coach.

Rehiring winter coaches was tabled until the board could review Hiemstra’s evaluations.

Maxine Stockman was hired for food service.

The next regular meeting will be held May 14.