H-M-S school board considers policy changes for facility usage

Discussion regarding whether any changes should be made to district policy governing community use of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn school facilities was held during the June 17 board meeting.

Superintendent Patrick Carlin requested the discussion in response to increasing use of district facilities by various groups.

"Our building usage has gone through the roof," he said.

Carlin noted it was not the district's intent to discourage use of school facilities, but he has concerns about building maintenance as well as proper supervision during events.

"At the very least, I would like a policy on that," Carlin said of the latter concern.

A schedule of fees charged by an area district for facility use was reviewed. Carlin said the H-M-S board could choose to not charge for facility usage, charge less than other districts or charge similar rates.

"This will likely cause a change for some people," he noted.

Board members questioned what the impact would be if H-M-S charged for facility usage. They acknowledged it will be difficult to determine who should be charged and how much.

"This is a tough one," Board President Scott Vollink acknowledged. "We are all taxpayers and support facilities. I want to think about it."

"It's hard to figure out where to draw the line," said Board Member Becky Stoltz.

Carlin encouraged board members to think about the matter and discuss it again when the 900 series is scheduled for final approval.

• Golf meet site

Sanborn Country Club requested that H-M-S pay a single membership for use of the course for high school meets. High school golf teams have played their home meets at the Sanborn course since 2017.

Meadowbrook Golf and Country Club also has offered to host meets. The Hartley course made a similar request in 2021.

Carlin said district officials will follow similar procedures to those in the past when making a final decision.

"The athletic directors and administration will review proposals and information from both courses and then pursue a direction," he said.

• PLC conference, May Term

Ten teachers and Principal Blake Wendt attended a Professional Learning Community (PLC) conference at Minneapolis, Minn. They attended breakout sessions, heard several speakers and met as a group to collaborate across disciplines.

"The 11 of us came back energized and with some great ideas about how to push our instruction forward," Wendt said.

Elementary Principal Ashley Benz added that information presented at the conference will help decide what school improvement steps will be taken next year.

A team of high school staff attended a presentation at Okoboji High School to gain ideas on how to further experiential education offerings. H-M-S has been offering mini courses to expose high school students to learning outside of the standard curriculum.

Staff will research as to what classes could be offered in order to make the experiential education program a "high quality experience."

Data from assessments completed in May will help middle school staff evaluate student progress and identify areas of improvement. Principal Heidi Douma said that information and other assessment data will help guide instruction in the fall.

Judge Roger Sailer, of the Third Judicial District of Iowa, talked to students in grades 7-8 about the complexities of the law as it pertains to friendships and relationships as a minor, and how technology can impact them.

"It was eye-opening for a lot of us," Douma said.