Still looking for a location

The potential location of a specially marked crosswalk with flashing lights leading to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn schools in Hartley was discussed at the April board meeting.

The Hartley Recreational Trail Committee was awarded a $20,000 grant in 2022 for installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at a Highway 18 pedestrian crossing. When committee members met with the H-M-S board last November, they favored locating the RRFB at the existing crosswalk south of the high school.

That site is no longer favored by the committee. Nicole Shaffer explained that grant rules for installing an RRFB at a highway pedestrian crossing require a connecting sidewalk on both sides of the road. The City of Hartley has indicated the area on the south side of the highway is not wide enough for a sidewalk due to utilities and the tree line.

Shaffer said the committee is considering a site farther east, near St. Joseph's Catholic Church, as the location for the flashing beacon. A study by Wellmark recommended locating it near Brew Oil and the H-M-S Elementary parking lot entrance. Shaffer said the committee does not favor that site due to safety concerns.

If a marked crosswalk connects with school property, the district will have to install a sidewalk to that site.

Superintendent Patrick Carlin told the board that in addition to upfront costs for installing a sidewalk, the district would also have "ongoing considerations" such as repairs or replacement, admitting that those costs would probably be negligible.

"I want to be convinced that moving it a block is worth it," responded Board Member Ryan Haack. "I really don't care about the money."

Shaffer said the committee will continue to look for a viable crossing location to install the RRFB. She also clarified that a marked pedestrian crossing on Highway 18 will not necessarily tie in with Hartley's proposed recreational trail project.

• Grant application, ICAP plan

In other action, the board authorized payment of $18,240 to Graves Construction Co., the contractor for the ball field improvement project. The amount represents 10 percent of the mobilization costs for Division I and II of the project at the high school.

H-M-S will submit an application for a Stronger Connections Grant through the Iowa Department of Education. Grants are intended to help schools provide students with safe and supportive learning opportunities and environments. Heidi Douma, the incoming middle school principal, assisted with the application process.

A group of administrators, career and technical education teachers, local business and industry representatives, and students reviewed H-M-S's Individualized Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). The plan is designed to help students successfully complete the core curriculum needed to help them achieve their postsecondary education and career goals. Students begin the process by completing a four-year individualized plan during their eighth grade year.

A decision will be made next month as to whether middle school baseball and softball practices and games will be held at the high school diamonds. If they are, Carlin recommended that practices be held at Sanborn until the end of the school year.

"Everything else seems to be doable, and the coaches seem supportive," he said.