The Fillmore Central Facilities Committee met on February 22 to discuss various projects that should be addressed around the school buildings.
Superintendent Richard Keith gave a brief report at the February 27 school board meeting, with plans to develop a list of projects with potential costs to be presented at the March meeting.
A few of the projects discussed were the high school boilers, which have been an ongoing issue all winter, replacing the carpet and some sheetrock in the elementary music room, moving the high school entrance to a new location and making it more secure, investing in classroom amplification systems so teachers can amplify their voices to be hear clearly by the whole class, and building new baseball and football fields in Harmony, a project that has already been discussed with the city of Harmony.
It was noted that the elementary playground equipment is getting old. The surface is not as safe as it should be, and the playground is not very handicap accessible. The Facilities Committee would like to replace the
equipment and move the whole playground a bit to the west so it’s not so close to the street.
Ag and Industrial Tech teacher Ethan Lapham and Principal Heath Olstad recently visited the Eleva-Strum school district in Strum, Wis., to learn more about Cardinal Manufacturing, a program run at and by the school to teach students about business, work ethics, manufacturing, etc.
The students learn about every aspect of a business which teaches them important life skills. The program is such a success that the school hosts workshops to teach other districts how to start a program like that of their own. Lapham and Olstad are excited about the possibility of
bringing the program to Fillmore Central. “I think we have a great young man who has the energy and commitment,” Olstad said about Lapham.
One of the members of the Wolves wrestling team, Caden Anderson will be moving on to the state competition. “Good luck to that young man,” Olstad said.
At the Math Wizards meet at Spring Grove on January 29, fifth graders Audra Otta took first place and Delaney Yoder took second. In the individual
rounds, Delaney Yoder took second and Audra Otto, third. Sixth grader Maddox Wolfgram placed first in his age group.
The annual Father/Daughter Dance put on by ECFE took place on February 12 and once again, had a great turn-out. Thanks were extended to coordinator Heather Stockdale for her hard work in organizing the event.
The fifth grade came in first place in the school’s label race with 8,679 labels. Second place took second place with 8,301 and first grade came in third with 6,600 labels collected. The money raised through the label
race helps to provide funds for the school.
Grant applications have been submitted to KaBOOM!, POET, and MiEnergy for the Mini Falcons Playscape Playground. Another $600 from the Preston Fire Department was donated for the playground.
Kimberly Kiehne was hired as a full-time custodian to work the split Preston-Harmony shift, and Katie Lobland as the float teacher assistant in the daycare. Traci Assmus was hired as the Adult and Youth Enrichment Coordinator.
A Memorandum of Understanding was passed allowing the district to add the position of an assistant speech coach as there are over 20 students competing in speech this year.
John O’Connor was hired as the JV softball coach, Tim Ostrom as the eighth grade softball coach, and Jordan O’Connor and Travis Malley as softball volunteers. David Broadwater was hired as the JV baseball coach, Dan Schoepski as the eighth grade baseball coach, Jeff Dick as the seventh grade baseball coach, and Andy Todd as the JH golf coach. Jackie Whitacre was hired as the head speech coach and Austen Whitacre as the assistant speech coach.
A donation in the amount of $650 from the Preston Fire Department was accepted with gratitude from the district. The money is to be used for an iPad for the athletic department.
The 2018-19 school calendar was reviewed and approved as the final draft.
An open enrollment request from a Kingsland student was approved by the board, as well as an interstate enrollment request from a Howard-Winneshiek district student.
The Special Education Extended School Year Services were approved for a two-week center-based program from August 6-10 and August 13-17. At this time, 11 students qualify for the program.
The next Fillmore Central school board meeting will be held on March 27 at 6:30 in the elementary meeting room.