Unpaid school fees to be collected

An Oskaloosa firm has been hired by the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School to assist with collection of unpaid fees.

The agreement approved on Monday authorizes submission of claims to Credit Bureau Services of Iowa for delinquent accounts, unsatisfied judgements and/or dishonored checks. Superintendent Patrick Carlin explained that efforts by the district to collect fees from "habitual offenders" have been unsuccessful.

"The balances are getting higher and higher. At some point you have to cut it off," he noted.

CBSI will send notices to consumers indicating their accounts have been turned over to collections. Letters will outline options for paying off the amount owed. Failure to respond within 40 days will result in an account being assigned to a collector.

In other business, the board reviewed options for purchasing a pickup to be used to push snow. The available choices include new and used vehicles. The consensus was to pursue the purchase of a used pickup.

Athletic sharing agreements with Okoboji for wrestling and Western Christian for bowling were renewed. Student and staff handbooks for 2023-24 were also approved.

Discussion was held regarding the resignation of Julie Swenson as kindergarten teacher. Due to the lateness of the request, Board President Scott Vollink read a statement from the personnel committee which recommended Swenson's resignation be accepted, contingent upon the district finding a suitable replacement. Efforts to hire another teacher have so far been unsuccessful.

The board also accepted resignations from Debi Gaard as Future Business Leaders of America advisor and Jeremy Gloden as head baseball coach.

Angela Berg was offered a contract as high school business teacher. H-M-S will continue sharing agreements with Clay Central/Everly for a school nurse and Sheldon for a human resources director. The services of a shared librarian previously offered by Northwest AEA will now be provided through Prairie Lakes AEA.

Information regarding school fees, substitute teacher pay rates and referee pay were reviewed. Those recommendations will be acted upon next month.