Striking out on their own

With interest in the sport continuing to rise, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn will establish its own bowling program starting with the 2022-23 season.

The decision came after information presented to the school board on Feb. 21 indicates student numbers would justify ending the bowling sharing agreement with Sioux Central.

Superintendent Patrick Carlin had met with Bert van Dam, owner of Locomotion Lanes in Sanborn, and Eric Mastbergen, who are working to build interest in the sport among area youth. Information presented at the meeting suggests that effort is paying off. Thirteen boys and four girls in grades 8-11 at H-M-S are interested in bowling during the 2022-23 season.

That compares with the four boys and three girls who had indicated interest when the board held a similar discussion in May of 2021. Since six bowlers are needed for a full team, the board opted at that time to continue the agreement with Sioux Central.

Even though girls' numbers are not as strong, Carlin recommended that H-M-S have teams for both genders "for logistical and cost purposes."

Having helped start the bowling program at North Iowa while he was athletic director there, Principal Nate Hemiller said two important factors in establishing a program are finding coaches and scheduling. He sees nothing significant that would hinder H-M-S from accomplishing both.

"I think we've got what we need to start this program," he said. "There's really not a downside to it."

Hemiller and Carlin agreed that maintaining participant numbers is important going forward.

"I think we will be able to sustain it," said van Dam, who was at the board meeting.

van Dam also said that he and Julia Meyer, of Hartley, intend to become certified coaches. Student participants will conduct fundraisers similar to those held by other H-M-S athletic teams.

• Furniture, bus purchases

In other business, the board authorized the purchase of desks and other furniture with a spending limit of $260,000.

Carlin said that federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds will be used to obtain updated furniture for the high school; additional desks at the elementary due to increased enrollment; and library shelving at the middle school.

Additional ESSER funds will also finance the purchase of a bus. Bids from Thomas Built Buses and School Bus Sales [Bluebird] were similar at approximately $130,000. The Bluebird bus bid also included an option of additional storage for $7,000.

According to Transportation Director Kevin Soden, both buses have underneath storage in the center. The additional storage offered as an option by Bluebird is located behind the rear wheels. Soden said H-M-S currently has one bus with additional storage. It is used for activity trips when extra space is needed.

H-M-S traditionally purchases Bluebird buses and the board opted to accept School Bus Sales' bid, with the additional storage included.

"We might just as well stay with Bluebird," said Board Member Chad Lyman.

Carlin said both purchases should get H-M-S "really close to getting those ESSER funds off of our books."

• Personnel changes

To fill immediate vacancies as well as teaching positions for 2022-23 at the middle school, the board issued contracts to Haley Hermstad, secretary; Melissa Ortiz, associate; Elizabeth Ricke, special education teacher; and Tenee Jessen, science teacher.

Resignations were accepted from Corgan Petersen, 5-12 instrumental music; Kyle Johnson, high school math; Tayla Sickelka, elementary teacher; Ronda Rogne, elementary associate; and Brad Meendering, high school custodian.