The Highland school board heard a report from District Administrator Josh Tarrell about the budget which will be presented at the annual meeting in October.
Tarrell said the budget includes a 5% increase in utilities, 6% for insurance and 7% for dental. There is also a staff salary increase. Maintenance and co-op dollars are guesses at this time.
Tarrell said the numbers will change when the state totals are released next month. He said the budget will be just under $5.5 million and he outlined the projected revenues and expenses.
The board then reviewed the co-op status with Iowa-Grant. Tarrell said there are many questions that will need to be answered as Highland works through the co-op arrangements with Iowa-Grant. Items include:
-how gate receipts will be handled -how the handbooks from each school will match up
-how will concessions be handled -what will happen with facilities improvements
-how will Homecoming be handled -how will uniforms be designed and replaced
-how will streaming services be handled
-how will the mascots and logos be incorporated
Board member Will Glanville noted that the plan is to be in the coop for the long haul and it should be treated as one entity.
There will also be discussion about combining middle school sports which would not be part of WIAA membership. The board approved middle school cross country with I- G and will look at middle school football for 2027. That would allow the players to be ready for 11 man in 2028 when the football co-op starts. Entering into the discussion was the possibility of Highland looking into moving to a four day school week. It was noted this may impact practice times, transportation and overall coordination as a four day school day would be longer. Tarrell said there are 20 schools in Iowa on a four day week and a few in northern Wisconsin. Weather events could change the days of the week classes are held.
The board will continue to study the four day concept.
“We would also have to compare calendars,” Tarrell said.
The board also agreed to align with the dual sport concept the Iowa- Grant board has approved. Highland board member Todd Michek said it would be difficult not to have the same concept in Highland with the co-ops. Tarrell informed the board how dual sports works at the Pecatonica district where he previously taught and coached.
The board voted to approve dual sports participation and will add the information to the handbooks.
“There are a lot of questions out there that must be answered,” Tarrell said.
During his report Tarrell said he has met with the new head of SW Tech and was impressed with the meeting. He feels he will be good to work with.
Tarrell said CESA will be assigning a person to each school district it serves with Highland’s designee yet to be named.
Tarrell informed the board that 44 students are open enrolling out with 22 coming in. He added that 19 of those leaving have never been in the district.
He also discussed the fact that enrollment is declining on a statewide basis and discussed the Hustisford school district closing its schools. He also reported that the Department of Public Instruction is working on helping fill special education vacancies.
Costs to operate the Cardinal Club were discussed as it will serve as day care for many.
Under building and grounds Tarrell said the dishwasher has been fixed. He added that the company that services the boilers will no longer travel this far so alternatives are being explored.
Also, the insurance adjuster spent a day in the district viewing the damage to the school forest. The spot for the toy shed has been determined. He also noted the three bus routes for the evening run will remain.
Under policy development the board held a second reading for the NEOLA policies.
Other action taken by the board included:
-approving an alternative open enrollment application
-approving the 2026-27 fundraising requests
-approving an overnight for the FFA when they attend the annual convention in Indianapolis.
-approved the school safety plan. -approved sharing arrangements for Spanish taught by Jacqueline Johnson with Wauzeka-Steuben and Iowa-Grant and approved an addendum to her contract.
-approved the seclusion and restraint report that showed there were no events.
Under personnel matters the board approved a revised agreement for the fitness center coordinators. They also approved volunteer football coach agreements with Jon Dreischmeier and Kaden Washa.
Matt Bomkamp will handle middle school boys basketball. James Levin will be given an extracurricular contract for jazz band one day a week.