Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
District receives $150,000 grant to fund security improvements
H-M-S Elementary associate Dave Hofman greets students during morning arrival on Wednesday. The district recently received a $150,000 grant to improve safety at its three buildings.
Additional safety improvements at all three school buildings at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn will be funded through a federal grant.
H-M-S has been awarded $150,000 through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF). The grant award made on Aug. 16 will address safety improvements for capital expenditures up to $50,000 for each school building.
According to terms of the grant, funding may be used for minor capital improvements such as entry control, electronic security and communication systems, barriers, perimeter security, illumination and building envelope.
Superintendent Patrick Carlin said at Monday's school board meeting that H-M-S plans to use the funds to expand interior safety measures at all three buildings, including installation of door prop sensors.
"We'll look at what we already have. There are a lot of stipulations," he noted.
The performance period ending date for the grant is Dec. 31. The board officially approved the agreement at the meeting.
The district also plans to install additional window coverings at the elementary and high school buildings, and replace some coverings at the middle school. According to discussion, similar improvements are being considered for the middle school and elementary offices. The approximate total cost is $30,000, which will be paid with district funds.
"Much of this will be taken out of PPEL as a building safety item," Carlin said.
• Policy updates
The board approved updates to align district policies with recent changes in state law. Those policies are in regard to open enrollment and chronic absenteeism.
Carlin said the district received a letter from the O'Brien County attorney about additional changes regarding student absenteeism.
"I'm not sure what that will mean," Carlin told the board. "We will dig into that. There's a lot to look into, to make sure we are where we need to be with that."
• Appointments, other business
Emma Lowder was officially named board secretary and treasurer. Lowder is the district's new school business officer, succeeding Emily Widvey.
Board Member Kyle McCarter will continue to serve as H-M-S's delegate assembly representative at the Iowa Association of School Boards' convention in November.
Resignations were accepted from associates Leslie Divas De Ventura and Shelby Scroggins.
The district will continue to rent a John Deere tractor from C&B Operations LLC, of Spencer. The cost to rent a model 3046R for 12 months is $1,500. The tractor is primarily used for snow removal.
• Good start to school year
The principals reported the school year is off to a good start. Establishing expectations has been a focus for administrators and teachers.
Building goals at the elementary remain consistent. Principal Ashley Benz said the staff is working at getting better at what they are doing. Results of early assessments will help guide instruction through the rest of the school year.
Clear expectations for behavior and conduct were stressed during the Positive Interventions and Supports (PBIS) boot camp at the middle school. In addition, expectations of students and staff are being "tightened up."
Four common expectations were established at the high school. They are: be respectful, be prepared and punctual, be distraction free, and be organized. Expectations are posted in classrooms and are mentioned in announcements.
"Our teachers have been doing a fine job of enforcing these expectations with our students so far," Principal Blake Wendt said.
Carlin expressed concern regarding the balance in the activity fund. Increasing costs for fees paid to officials and entry fees for events, along with reduced revenues, are contributing to the drop in the fund balance.
"Our expenses are getting higher and the crowds are getting smaller, so we need to do something about this," he said. "If we do not raise our revenues we have to cut expenses. If we do that, we will have to limit opportunities for students."
The district is exploring ways to increase revenues, including charging for some events where admission is not currently collected, and additional fundraisers to directly benefit extracurricular activities.
