H-M-S to issue over $4M in SAVE refinancing bonds

Refunding of previously-issued bonds for the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn facilities project was authorized during the school board meeting on April 19.

School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds sold in 2019 will be refunded by the new issue. The district has the right to call for prepayment of the original bonds in whole or in part on or after June 1, 2021. The amount to be issued is $4,090,000.

Principal payments begin in 2022 and continue through 2030. Interest rates are 3.0 percent from 2022-2027, and fall to as low as 1.150 percent during the final three years.

Payments will be funded with school infrastructure tax revenues (SAVE), which are statewide sales, services and use taxes designated for infrastructure projects.

• Shared wrestling program

H-M-S and Okoboji will continue the shared high school wrestling program that began in 2019-2020. At that time H-M-S considered sharing wrestling with another district due to a decline in student participation.

Superintendent Patrick Carlin said progress is being made toward the goal of H-M-S having its own program, but that time hasn't arrived.

"We're making strides this year, but our numbers don't yet support a stand-alone program," he said.

The application being submitted to the Iowa High School Athletic Association lists Okoboji as the host school.

H-M-S offers its own middle school wrestling program for seventh and eighth graders. There were six participants this year.

• More changes in personnel

The board accepted resignations from Tyler Horkey, instructional coach, head football coach, assistant track coach and weight room coordinator; and Naet Hoaglund, assistant high school girls' basketball coach. Lavila Nelson's resignation as middle school band and choir teacher was also accepted. She is retiring from teaching.

Contracts were issued to: Margeaux Baskin and Grace Paulson, high school science; Katie Henderson, middle school social studies; Jacob Riedemann, middle school math; Naet Hoaglund, head boys' basketball coach; and Kristin Noska, middle school cross country coach.

Several TLC positions were also filled. They include: High school – Jim Thomas, instructional coach; Breana Biery and Kyle Borchers, anchors; Middle school – Lindsy Holst, instructional coach; Carolyn Carlson and Erica Meendering, anchors; Elementary school – Lindsey Maris, instructional coach; Julie Swenson and Kristen Triplett, anchors. Maris was also issued a contract for the TLC coordinator position.

Those positions are part of H-M-S's Teacher Learning and Compensation plan, a state-funded initiative that targets support for teachers and improved student achievement.

• Other business

H-M-S will continue to participate in the AEA Purchasing program. It allows districts to purchase food, small wares and ware wash from vendors selected by AEA Purchasing.

An amendment to the board policy governing gifts, grants and bequests authorizes the superintendent to approve requests less than $500.

The board approved a change order for the middle school construction project. A camera will be added in a corridor and light fixtures will be replaced in locker rooms.

• Eighth grade graduation

There will be an eighth grade graduation ceremony this year. A survey indicated parental support for continuing that tradition. It will be held on May 18, following the 7-8 grade concert.

The Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress tests will be given next week. Elementary students have been taking practice tests to become familiar with the computer program used for the assessments. Principal Nate Hemiller is meeting with high school students to stress the importance of those tests.

The elementary Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports team is finalizing the building matrix and behavior definitions. Principal Cathy Jochims said that data collected this year is used to identify problem behaviors and interventions that were attempted. Professional development next year will help staff fully implement PBIS at the elementary school.