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Graduates composite score on ACT exams exceeds state average
The 25 students writing the exam exceeded the state average in three of the four subjects covered
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Hillsboro High School Principal Greg Zimmerman proudly reported some good news at Monday night’s regular monthly School Board meeting.

Twenty-five of the 42 graduates from the Class of 2013 took the ACT exams and earned a 22.7 composite score, exceeding last year’s Wisconsin state average of 22.1.

The students matched or exceeded the state average in English, reading, and science, trailing only in math, 21.6 to 22.

Zimmerman also reported that the initial enrollment figures showed 11 new students, with nine students moving.

The school welcomed three foreign exchange students this year from Germany, Japan, and Sweden.

He also pointed out that the yearbook account has a negative balance $1,803.55. After the final 2012-13 payment of $956.71, it will be $2,760.26.

In order to avoid future deficits, the principal recommended:

• Reducing the number of pages in the book from 98 to 88, resulting in a savings of $200.

• Increase the cost of the yearbook from $35 pre-ordered and $40 at distribution to $40 pre-ordered and $45 at distribution.

• Change from a Fall delivery to a Spring delivery. Students like the earlier delivery that allows more time to have their books signed by friends.

Zimmerman also noted that two years ago, the 12th-grade class contribution to the yearbook was dropped from $2,500 to $1,500. Also, advertising sales were only $490, compared to the budgeted estimate of $1,200.

Elementary School Principal Cara Wood told the Board that the first week of school was very typical and successful.

She reported that enrollment figures for 2013-2014 were as follows: Pre-Kindergarten/Early Childhood, 42/4, with three special needs children; Kindergarten 32, First Grade 33, Second 43, Third 33, Fourth 45, Fifth 51, for a total of 259, compared to 262 in 2012-2013 and 266 in 2011-2012.

School Board President Jenny Hynek became “School Superintendent” for about five minutes when she read the report of Curt Bisarek, who was in attendance but lacked a speaking voice.

•  The new web site is up with the same address and will continue to feature information and resources.

• Sally Haas has resigned after three years of service in the Elementary School kitchen.

• The District has received the Rural School Achievement Program grant of $16,650.

• The Hillsboro Excellence in Education Fund is going to be featured in the annual report of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.

In the Discussion and Action Section of the Agenda, the School Board:

• Unanimously approved a request from music teacher Paula Parker for a six day/five night deluxe motor coach trip to New York for the High School Choir and six band students who raised money. The trip will be scheduled for  June 15-20, 2014.

The trip will be booked through Sunshine Travel, a fully insured company that has been used in the past. It will include three nights at a specially selected New Jersey hotel and two nights on the bus.

In addition to many sightseeing activities, musical features will include a Broadway show, a Broadway “Song and Dance Workshop,” and a HHS Choir Performance, including instrumentation by the band members, at St. John’s Church in New York City.

• Unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Hillsboro Education Support Personnel covering base wages, including a 25-cents an hour raise for 2013-14.

• Unanimously approved the first reading of a revision of the 200s section of the Board Policy Book.

• Unanimously approved a resolution regarding staff use of the entryway intercom system. This resolution involved insurance coverage in the possibility of liability matters.

Before going into closed session, the Board announced that the annual meeting will be held on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the High School cafeteria. A special Board meeting will be held in the High School library 10 minutes after the conclusion of the annual meeting.

The next regularly scheduled School Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14  in the High School library.