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Hillsboro School Board approves $3 million for building updates
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The Hillsboro School Board took a giant, unanimous step to update and improve the building facilities Monday night at a cost not to exceed $3 million.

The Board approved a motion to authorize district administration, in consultation with legal counsel, to finalize and enter into a Performance Contract contingent upon secure financing in an amount not to exceed $3 million, based on the recommended energy efficiency exemption scopes of work as presented to the Board.

Representatives of McKinstry were present again to review the project that has  evolved during two years of planning and a complete audit of the facilities.

The project will include many updates designed to conserve energy and save the School District extra financial costs.

It will include removal and replacement of the original steam boiler systems in the Elementary School with new, high efficient hot water gas boilers.

The project also includes many updates designed for improved energy savings in areas such as lighting, roofing, technology, windows/doors, and vending machine “misers.”

McKinstry projects the total guaranteed  maximum cost of the project to be $2,988,711.
However, The State Department of Public Instruction has informed the School District that it is authorizing a Qualified Zone Academy Bond allocation of $1,500,000 for renovation projects and equipment.

All Board members were present for the meeting, including former HHS student Mike Jirschele, who was appointed to replace Mark Gustafson shortly before the meeting.

In other business, the Board:

•  Accepted the resignations of Elementary School Teacher Rebecca Gustafson, Custodian Mike Biesek, and Music Teacher/Band Leader Lauren Curtis.

• Hired Ag Teacher Jodi Meyer, Football Cheer Advisor Andrea Anderson, and Instrumental Music Teacher Jeremy Henning.

• Renewed the Wisconsin Education Association Health and Dental Plans at 0% increase.

• Approved updates in the Employee Handbook pertaining to Employee Harassment and Bullying, Fitness for Duty, Staff Use of Force to Maintain Student Discipline, Sick Leave Use, and the Alternate Benefit Plan in Lieu of Health Insurance.

In his High School Principal report, Greg Zimmerman told the Board that 42 students and three Foreign Exchange students participated in the Class of 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 24th. Six graduates came through the GED02 Program in order to earn a diploma. He also reported that since 2008, 18 students have completed that program and earned a high school diploma. The current HHS success rate over the five years of the program is 94.7 %.

“I would like to not only congratulate those 18 graduates, but also thank Mr. Bob Bothe, the classroom teacher, and Mrs. Nancy Stanek the classroom aide, for all of their hard work and patience,” he said.

Summer School will include a Credit Recovery Class June 17- July 2.

Drivers Education classes began June 1 and will conclude the classroom portion June 26.

The Spanish Club trip to Costa Rica is scheduled to depart June 14 and return June 24.

The HHS Student of the Month trip is planned for July 16th.

Linda Bisarek reported on the Plus One program’s “incredibly positive year,” mainly because of the staff, including 35 student volunteers. She also stated that 95% of the staff would like to return next year.

Elementary School Principal Cara Wood reported that “Camp Invention” will start the first week of Summer School with classes running from 8 a.m. to Noon. The program is funded in part by a Community Learning Center Grant.

Summer School starts next week for kindergarten through third grade. The June-July session runs for three weeks, Monday through Thursday, with no classes scheduled for July 4.

The second session of Summer School for kindergarten through 6th grade, runs from Aug. 6-22, Tuesdays-Thursdays.
She also reminded parents that the free breakfast and lunch program is available again this summer at 8-8:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The State Department of Public Instruction sent a $500 grant award for this program.

Summer office hours at the school are 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Friday. If nobody is in the Elementary Office, visit the High School office.

If you are new to the area and plan to enroll students at the Elementary School, please stop by the office or call 489-2224.

School Superintendent Curt Bisarek reported that the $1.5 million Qualified Zone Academy Bond offered by the State Department of Public Instruction to the school for its energy savings project will have close to a 0% interest rate.

It is one of the largest awards in the state and includes a $150,000 local match from one person and three businesses offering volunteer services. “It is much appreciated,” Bisarek stated.

After a closed session, the Board unanimously voted to offer early graduation for a student and adjust administrative contracts to match Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements.

The next regularly scheduled School Board meeting will be held July 8 at 7 p.m. in the High School library.