The Howard-Winneshiek Community School Board approved the extension of Marilyn Reis’ term on the Board by one year at their regular meeting June 23.
    The extension of the district 3 spot was made in order to transition into compliance with  a new bill passed by the Iowa Legislature in April.
    The bill, HF2620, calls for school board elections to be held only in odd-numbered years, rather than annually, beginning in 2009. School board directors elected in 2009 will be elected to four-year terms, instead of the current three-year terms Board members serve.
    The last even-numbered election will be held this September, when one spot on the Board will open.
    Randy Richter, the “at-large” member of the Board, will not run for re-election this fall. The position can be filled by any resident of the school district.
    Any resident of the district that wishes to run for the at-large position on the School Board can pick up nomination papers from the superintendent’s office. The deadline for returning forms is 5 p.m. on July 31.
    The Board also approved the purchase of a former Mennonite church in Lime Springs.
    School officials plan to use the property, which sits adjacent to the Lime Springs Elementary School property, for basketball courts in the future. The District plans to purchase the property for about $1,000, according to Lime Springs Elementary School Principal Rob Hughes.
    Hughes said the local fire department plans to use the building for a practice fire, which would mean the district will not need to demolish the building.
    The Lime Springs Community is currently discussing building an early childhood center addition onto the elementary school, which would mean the school would lose some of its playground space. Hughes said owning the former church property will allow the school to have additional playground space.