AD to be hired for 2017-18

Howard County - Howard-Winneshiek Board of Education authorized the hiring of an Activities Director/Dean of Student Services for the next school year at the board meeting on April 10.

For the 2014-15 school year, the district hired Brian Hilsabeck for the same position, but he resigned after one year due to personal issues. The position was not rehired. Supt. John Carver offered to take on some of the responsibilities, with other personnel being assigned to different parts of the job. 

With Carver resigning at the end of the fiscal year, he felt the added responsibilities of the Activities Director would be too much.

Board member Todd Hill asked about the salary, which would be $60,000-70,000. For the past two years, $20,000 was allocated for “Event Managers.” That money would be utilized for the new position, with the back fill coming from the difference in salaries of those taking early retirement versus new hires.

Heather Suckow offered how much easier it was for her as a new volleyball coach when Hilsabeck was on staff. Terese Jurgensen, Director of Special Education, appreciated having another administrator available to cover when she or others had to be in the other building.

Carver explained the Activities Director/Dean of Student Services is an entry level job for administration.

Board President Duane Bodermann noted the position was a good one, but “It’s hard to spend $70,000 when we’re fighting to keep our heads above water.” 

In the end, all five board members voted to hire an Activities Director/Dean of Student Services.

• In other business, a budget amendment was approved for additional funds needed for the stadium project. The project was initially budgeted at $1.2 million before estimates were finalized. After bids were let, it was learned the project will be $1.8 million, but Carver remarked it will be the best facility in northeast Iowa when it is completed.

Also included in the amendment was a change in how a journal entry to NICC was being made. Instead of being “support.” The amount will be put under “instructional.”

• Heather Klenke of the Technology Department spoke about the E-rate agreements, which give the district rebates on certain technology. This is federally funded.

Because of the number of free and reduced lunches given, the district gets a 60 percent rebate on phone, Internet and fiber. 

In addition, the district is entitled to $151.50 per student for whichever building they are enrolled. Klenke recommended purchasing wireless access points, switches and battery back-ups with those funds. 

The contracts were approved for Communications Engineering Company to handle the E-rates.

• Building projects approved included:

~ Improving the electrical, which is original to the high school building for $64,815, with the bid going to SEE Electric. Larry Trende, Facilities Director, stated he thought the bid would be closer to $100,000, so he was happy to see it come in much lower.

For this project, the high school electricity will be cut off for 7-10 days. The Wisdom and Wellness program will move to the K-8 building during the work.

~ Resurfacing the track at a cost of $81,308 from Fisher Tracks. This project will be paid through Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) in the next fiscal year, after June 30.

~ Installing carpet in three rooms at K-8 for $12,119 from Sherwin Williams. “I try to do three rooms each year,” Trende explained.

• The board accepted the resignation of Sue Russell, Jr. High Volleyball Coach.

New hires for summer help for Buildings and Grounds included Blair Bodermann, Hope Dohlman, Cassidy Kennon, Sonya Hurst, Madison McKenna, Megan Ryan, Matt Goodman, Dalton Kerian, Garret Steffen, Jordan Voves, Trevor Trende, Kaden Anderlik, Zachary Lane, Brenda Pecinovsky, Sadie Schwake, Dawn Shakelton and Melissa Vobr.

Contracts for 2017-18 head coaches for fall and winter sports included Chris Lentz, Football; Lynn McCormick, Boys Basketball; Jim Obermann, Cross Country; Doug Sickles, Girls Basketball; and Keith Slifka, Wrestling.

Other contracts included Kim Becker-Lehmkuhl, Flag Corps/Colorguard Coordinator; Kim Becker-Lehmkuhl, 1/2 of HS Cheerleading; Schuyler Bieber, Jr. High Cheerleading; Mark Cuvelier, Assistant Football; Justin Denner, Assistant Wrestling; Justin Denner, Assistant Football; Dale Dennler, Assistant Girls Basketball; Nathan Dietzenbach, Assistant Football; Todd Knobloch, Jr. High Wrestling; Alicia Martin, Jr. High Basketball; Gena McCaffrey, Jr. High Girls Basketball; Gena McCaffrey, Jr. High Volleyball; Kelly McCarville, Jr. High Boys Basketball; Rick McCarville, Assistant Boys Basketball; Rick McCarville, Jr. High Football; Ryan McCarville, Assistant Football; Amy Murphy, Assistant Volleyball; Oakleigh Natvig, Jr. High Football; Oakleigh Natvig, Assistant Girls Basketball;  James M. Obermann, Assistant Basketball; Tom Schmauss, Jr. High Football; Kirsten Schult, Assistant Volleyball; Jason Sorenson, Assistant Football; Gary Steffen, Assistant Wrestling; Gary Steffen, Jr. High Football; Karen S. Steffen, Assistant Cross Country; Gerald Steffen, Jr. High Wrestling; Lindsay Steinmetz, 1/2 of HS Cheerleading; Richard Wicks, Jr. High Cross Country; Brandon Wiltgen, Jr. High Boys Basketball

The next regular board meeting will be Monday, May 8 at the high school media center at 7 p.m.