The Highland Community School District Board of Education met in regular session on Monday. The meeting began with a short presentation from select students, who shared their experiences with School of the Wild. The week-long event sends fourth and fifth-graders to Marr Park and Lake Darling State Park to learn more about Iowa’s landscape, as well as survival skills.

From there, the board moved to action items, approving such items as offering Gracie C. Mae mental health services at the schools, the FFA National Convention trip to Indianapolis, and the Certified Annual Report.

Also approved was a Pre-Bond Services Contract with OPN Architects, as the Highland CSD continues to plan for facilities improvements. Superintendent, Ken Crawford explains, “Once they come to the board and say ‘Here’s the plan that the committee came up with’, then they begin doing this work for a November 2024 bond election. I have no issues with what they’ve come up with for our facilities, for our areas to highlight, for the communication that they’ve had with me, and for running the meetings and really trying to get consensus from everybody. I’m happy with what they’ve done.” A number of new hires were approved, including Highland alum Allen Rath as the new head baseball coach.

Finally, in principal reports, Highland Middle/High School Principal, Angela Hazelett, commended everyone who took part in the school’s Homecoming celebration earlier this month. “I just think this Homecoming was the best one we’ve had since I’ve been here in 12 years. I think the kids participated well, the staff participated well. I was really proud of the kids, and everything we did.”

The Highland School Board will hold their next meeting on Monday, November 13 at 5 p.m. in the High School Board Room.