A full attendance of School Board members received some good enrollment news at their regular monthly meting on Monday night.
Elementary School Assistant Principal Cara Wood reported that Elementary student enrollment remains at 316, the same as the last school year, and the highest total in five years.
Wood, who is also the school counselor, reviewed the new policies for parents picking up or dropping off students at the elementary school. The circular drive by the front entrance on Hillsborough Avenue will be closed to public traffic from 7:45-8:15 a.m. and 2:45-3:30 p.m.
The south entrance by the playground will be open for dropping students off at the stairs in the morning only, with absolutely no parking allowed.
The west (rear) parking lot by the gymnasium can be used for parents picking up or dropping off students.
All of the changes have been implemented due to safety concerns.
It was also announced that Life Touch will be at the school for pictures on Friday, Sept. 23.
There will be an early release of students on Tuesday, Sept. 27 due to a teachers’ in-service.
High School Principal Greg Zimmerman reported that the tentative student enrollment for the new school year is 250. There are no on-line students, but a few are taking advanced college classes in the distance learning lab.
He also told the Board that 29 of the 50 graduates in the Class of 2011 took the ACT Exam last year. The composite score for the class was 21.5, just a bit lower than the Wisconsin state average of 22.2.
This year’s HHS Homecoming Week will be celebrated Sept. 26-Oct. 1.
School District Administrator Curt Bisarek reported that the combined district enrollment of 566 entitled the district to receive a $5,200 grant to be used in the Title Programs.
Athletic Director Jim Moe reported on the fall roster of HHS Coaches. They are:
• Cross Country - Head Coach Ben Leis, Volunteer Andrew Mueller.
• Football - Head Coach Eric Auel, Assistant Todd Salisbury, Assistant John Koopman, Volunteer Joe Klein, 7th and 8th Grade Coach Pete Benish, Assistant Tim Benish.
• Cheerleading - Dana Kehoe.
• Volleyball - Head Coach Rob Schroeder, Volunteer Assistant Mark Sullivan, Junior Varsity Coach Ray Kaus, C-Squad Coach Dan Prenkert, 8th Grade Coach Jamie Schmitz, 7th Grade Coach Brittany Olson, Volunteer Kara Prenkert.
• Moe pointed out that, due to a broken leg, Schroeder will not be able to coach until he recovers and has requested that Sullivan replace him in the interim. Ironically, Sullivan himself has just recovered from a serious leg injury sustained while playing volleyball!
School District IT Director Dan Thompson gave the Board a damage assessment report due to the electrical storm that hit the area Friday, Sept. 2.
As the result of an electrical storm on the morning of Sept. 2, the Hillsboro School District Campus experienced a very close lightning strike, along with a brief power shortage, causing a number of electronic devices and cabling to fail
Thompson contacted the school’s insurance agent, Hofmeister Insurance on the day of the storm and they proceeded to file a claim with their agent.
The agent responded to the report on September 6th and informed Thompson that the weather bureau had confirmed there were two lightening strikes detected at the elementary school site on Sept. 2.
Thompson told the Board members that he would keep the school administration informed on the final tally of the failed items and hours spent repairing them.
After a discussion on senior class revenue raised by advertisement sales for the school yearbook and sports event programs, led by FBLA Advisor Jamie Schmitz, the Board approved a combination rate program in an effort to improve interest by advertisers.
Following a discussion, the Board voted to approve a new mission statement for the district: “Learn, Achieve, Succeed.” It will be used in various ways, including the school’s official letterhead.
After a lengthy discussion that included several differing opinions, the Board voted 5-2 in favor of spending $1,500 for two maple shade trees that will grow to 20-feet and will be planted next to the baseball diamond to provide shade for spectators.
The Board then approved a second reading of eight school policies and the first reading of four school policies.
After a closed session, the Board returned to open session and took the following actions:
• Authorized hiring an aide as needed and when needed to be determined by the administration;
• Hired Dennis Carlson as a long term substitute for campus education of a student.