New H-W Supt., administrators attend Lime Springs Council Aug. 1 meeting

 

Lime Springs - Mr. Ted Ihns, newly hired Howard-Winneshiek CSD superintendent, and four administrators said a neighborly “Hello” to members of Lime Springs City Council. Ihns plans to speak in all communities of the district.
“I’m a proud graduate of Lime Springs-Chester Elementary School,” he told meeting attendees. When the superintendent job became available, he said he “jumped” at the opportunity.
“If there is anything I can do, my door is open.” His main focus is on the students. “Not every student is going to Harvard. Not every student is going to the University of Iowa. Not every student is going to NICC or the military,” he admitted. But he wants them all to get a good education.
The future is changing. “For our students, some of their future jobs haven’t even been invented yet! We need to support them in everything they do.”
Ihns answered questions of audience members.
~ Activity bus: He will look into the possibility of bringing that back. He is in discussions with Transportation Director Brian Swestka. There is an expense associated with the activity bus, which is why it was cut several years ago.
~ Balancing which sport is important: Ihns gave the floor up to another new hire, Greg Hiemstra, Athletic & Activities Director. Hiemstra said he is also interested in the fine arts as well as sports, but said he needs to look at the numbers of participants.
Hiemstra also stated he has applied to host district and regional events. 
~ Graduating with AA: Chris Rogne, 7-12 principal, noted that even with dual credits at NICC, it is very hard to graduate with an AA, although one student was 5-6 credits short after graduation, but planned to finish the rest this summer.
~ Jim Kitchen stated, “It’s cool to see the school board come here, but you can’t do it alone. For the school’s success, we all need to work together.”
Ihns concluded, “My goal is to be the envy of every school. Most people probably don’t know that we are ranked 26th out of 359 [in Iowa] schools for academics. We have a great teaching staff. We never want to settle for being mediocre.”
 It was then announced a Cadet Jamboree was taking place on Aug. 18, a meet-the-team event that will showcase the new stadium. A free meal will be available from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
• In other business, Mayor Kevin Bill said, “There has been lots of activity at LimeSprings Beef. They will be at the next meeting for a proposed open date.”
• The clean-up day held July 17 cost the City around $1,800.
• No council member agreed to put a four-way stop-sign at Brown Park. It was suggested to use electronic speed limit reading signs for town. Nothing was voted on.
• The City will pursue looking for a secondary attorney to take care of matters that need attention in a timely manner.
• Fire Chief Nate Schwickerath gave his report, stating the department received a $500 grant from IMT through CIA Insurance for new hose. “The new gear from Howard County Community Foundation and Grace Hughes has been put in service. We are now just a couple turnout gears short of being all replaced.”
He mentioned the Saratoga repeater went down in the wind storm. The E-911 committee is working on getting it replaced.
In addition, the radios are in and have been programmed.
The department was called to a fire at the Gary and Marcie Klomp home on July 30 to make sure the fire they started in an old home was safe.
Schwickerath commended Public Works Director Casey Sebastian on his diligence on getting leaks in the water system fixed. “The water supply in Lime Springs today versus five years ago is amazing.”
• Ed Hampe noted Bingo was still being played in the Community Center. “It gives people something to do.”
Also, he and Sebastian are working on getting the old school bell, that is in the possession of Eddie Hughes. It will hopefully be moved to the front of the Community Center before Sweet Corn Days. It is being paid for by a Dorothy Anderlik memorial donation.
• The Pool & Park Board will have a chicken dinner on Friday of Sweet Corn Days. The ball park will hopefully get new lights installed. Unfortunately that will probably not take place until after the celebration.
The kids will be happy to know the pool will be staying open until after Labor Day as most of the guards are high school, rather than college, students.
• West Franklin and West Jackson Streets were to have been worked on just after the last council meeting. If they are not done by the next council meeting, members may look at finding another company to do the project.
• Sebastian and the tree board will look at trees on West Main Street to determine if the City or homeowner is responsible for trimming or removal.
The next Council meeting will be Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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