Old H-M-S Elementary building approaches end of service

The end of the former Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn elementary school's usefulness as an educational facility is on the horizon, prompting discussion concerning its future by the board on March 15.

Superintendent Patrick Carlin suggested two options for the building, which is housing H-M-S's middle school students while a new facility is under construction at Sanborn.

The first is to demolish the building, most of which was built in 1936 along with an addition in 1955. If that were to occur, the district would have to dispose of the vacant property.

A second option is to list the building as an available site for development. Carlin has visited with Kiana Johnson, executive director of O'Brien County Economic Development, who said the building could be listed on a national database of available development opportunities. She also indicated that H-M-S might consider partnering with the City of Hartley, which could help a developer access incentives such as grants.

"We should at least talk to the city and see if we can work together," said Board President Scott Heetland. "I would say at this point explore all options."

"It's a nice location so it does have some value in it," observed Board Member Dave Vander Broek.

Carlin outlined a possible timeline for vacating the building. All furniture and equipment needed for the new middle school would be moved in June or July. The district would then prepare for an auction of all unneeded items.

"That could be August or however long it takes to set up for that," Carlin said.

Following the auction the board could consider waiting to see if there is interest in the building or proceed with demolition.

"We would be coming back for a decision sometime in the fall potentially," Carlin explained. "I don't think anyone wants to wait and drag that out."

That feeling was expressed during the board meeting.

"I don't think anyone here wants it sitting empty and being an eyesore in the town," Heetland said. "If something can't be done with it, we can demolish it."

• Bond sale, refinancing approved

The sale of additional general obligation bonds to finance the facilities improvement project was approved. The amount of the final bond sale is not to exceed $460,000. The resolution also authorizes the district to levy property taxes to finance interest and principal payments.

Proceeds of the sale will be deposited with United Community Bank. They submitted a bid of .20 percent interest for a term of 12 months.

H-M-S will also issue School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,165,000. The resolution authorizes the issuance and sale of bonds at interest rates which will not yield in excess of 3.5 percent. Secure an Advanced Vision for Education revenues will be used to repay the original SAVE loan.

• Early childhood enrollment

Pre-registrations for next year's Little Hawks Preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten programs total 23, seven and 20 students, respectively. According to Principal Cathy Jochims, more students are expected to enroll in each, along with eight students in early childhood special education. Final enrollments will not be known until August.

Elementary and middle school staff have completed nonviolent crisis intervention training. Areas covered in the training included de-escalation strategies, disengagement skills, restraints, holds, seclusion and post-crisis action.

Sixty percent of middle school parents chose to attend conferences personally while 40 percent preferred the virtual option. Principal Mark Dorhout recommended that both types of conferences be offered next year.

The eighth grade transition process is rescheduled to Aug. 19. Principal Nate Hemiller said the change will provide incoming freshmen with their schedules and allow them to tour the high school and meet their teachers prior to the start of classes.

"Having this opportunity will go a long way in reducing stress as a freshman student on the first day of school," he said.