“We have been storing a lot of the props we had built in a storage building in Granger,” Jay Masters said about the equipment for the Monster Bash, which he runs. The shed’s owner plans to rent it out and needs it empty by November 1, creating a problem for Masters as he now has to find a new storage space.
“We also have 4’ x 8’ plywood walls being stored in the bus shed in Preston,” he added. This means that when the Monster Bash rolls around each October, a trailer has to be used to haul the props from Granger and Preston into Harmony. “It’s a pain in the neck,” Masters said.
When Masters heard that Slim’s Woodshed in Harmony will be up for auction on October 26, he saw potential. He and school board member Jim Love were able to tour the building and were impressed by what they saw. There’s enough space to store the Monster Bash props and equipment there and even operate the haunted house in the building.
“It’s a nice sized building and lot,” Love said. Masters pointed out that it would be great to not have to haul everything to the Harmony Community Center each year. “We could probably even leave the walls up and just rearrange them each year,” he said.
Masters suggested sharing the space with the school. “We could store the football equipment there,” Love noted. Masters would prefer to buy the shed himself and then put it in the school’s name so he would maintain the rights to use the space he needs for the Monster Bash.
Masters has been working hard to get money lined up for the potential purchase of the shed, which has been valued at around $40,000. After meeting with a number of individuals and the Harmony and Preston Foundations, he believes that he has $15,000 committed at this point.
Masters hopes to raise $10,000 with the Monster Bash this year and another $5,000 from Haunted Harmony. $10,000 of that money would go straight to the students, $3000 would be set aside for next year’s Monster Bash start-up costs, and the remaining $2,000 would be donated to the arts department at the school. “I would love to have a $1,000 Monster Bash scholarship to give to a senior each year,” Masters said about his future plans for the event.
The board discussed the potential ownership of the shed. They had some questions about code compliance, size, etc. Superintendent Richard Keith will gather information and present it to the board at the October 25 meeting.
High school Principal Heath Olstad reported that the current enrollment numbers are 285 for the high school and 348 for K-6. The high school enrollment is up five students from last year and includes five foreign exchange students. The K-6 numbers increased by 15 students from the previous year.
A parenting meeting will be held at the stage gym in Preston on October 3 from 6-7 p.m. to discuss the Action 100 plan that the district is implementing this year.
The donation of a scoreboard for the small gym in the elementary school was accepted from the Fillmore Central Booster Club, with gratitude from the school board.
The levy was set for the maximum amount. The numbers will be finalized at the Truth In Taxation meeting in December.
A closed meeting was held to discuss the preliminary consideration of allegations or charges against an employee as stated in MN statute 13D.05, subdivision 2. When the public meeting was reopened, a resolution approving the employee termination was passed.
A resignation from daycare worker Amber Richardson was approved. Scott Stockdale was hired as the Thursday evening ECFE parent educator, and Heidi Kingsley was hired to work with ECFE as well.
Katie Koch was hired as the infant lead teacher position in the daycare with a start date of October 3, and Jackie Whitacre was hired as the school’s spelling bee advisor.
Sarah Tollefsrud was hired to coach girls basketball and Levi Olstad to coach boys basketball.
The district will be advertising for quotes for snow removal and lawn care. The bids will be reviewed at the October school board meeting.
A handicap access proposal for door #1 at the high school was approved.
The board approved the first readings of the student discipline and service animals policies. Due to some changes in state laws during the last legislative session, the student discipline policy had to be revised.
Due to a football game, the October school board meeting was moved to 7 a.m. on the 25th in Preston.
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