This could be a “once upon a time” story.
Once upon a time the Highland Cardinals played in the WIAA State Tournaments in volleyball, softball, girls basketball and football. They also came close in baseball and boys basketball along with having success in wrestling when they were a stand alone program and now with the IG- Highland co-op. Plus Highland played a big part in the Dodgeville co-op gymnastics state title.
But soon any success from Highland athletes will come on the fields and in the gym at Iowa-Grant. Last Wednesday the Highland School Board put the finishing touches on moving all athletics except gymnastics to Iowa-Grant. The board approved co-ops in volleyball, boys and girls basketball and cheerleading. They tabled cross country until they discuss the dual sport concept where an athlete can compete in two sports the same season, declaring one their primary sport. The board will consider that option next month. Iowa-Grant approved dual sport participation at their meeting last week.
The dual sport concept would allow participation in both football and volleyball along with cross country so none of the sports would lose participants. Highland co-oped with I-G in cross country several years ago but have not offered the program since they stopped the coop.
Highland volleyball coach Maria Wineski was present and said if the program is co-oped she would like to be part of the coaching staff.
“I don’t want to leave my girls,” Wineski said.
She added that there does not appear to be enough girls coming out for a JV program this season. This will be the first time a JV program would not be offered.
Football, baseball and softball coops have been approved by both boards and contracts are being considered and finalized. Wrestling is also a co-op and gymnastics is with Dodgeville.
The board also discussed middle school co-ops which do not need WIAA approval.
With low numbers in football in many of the schools in the 8-person conference it was noted by District Administrator Josh Tarrell that the WIAA has been notified of possible schedule tweaks if numbers drop due to injuries and academic ineligibles.
The board discussed future community meetings about the co-ops and reiterated that what is done is done in the best interests of the kids.
The board discussed past community meetings, noting some were positive and some were not.
OTHER BUSINESS
The board set the annual meeting for Wednesday, October 28 at 6 p.m. A special meeting will follow.
Tarrell said he has discussed bus routes with Tim Hoffman of WARCO and was directed by the board to see if three routes in the morning and two at night would be an option as fewer ride after school due to extra curriculars. The idea is to have less time the kids have to spend on the bus.
Tarrell updated the board on the availability of facility management and cashless options through Bound, a program many schools are enlisting. The board instructed Tarrell to keep looking at Bound but will remain as a cash option school.
The board also:
-approved open enrollment applications
-approved an eAchieve Academy Consortium agreement -heard about the progress of grant applications and learned a $62,000 award has been made to special ed. -heard Wisconsin schools are highly ranked nationally -learned public school education has decreased 2% in Wisconsin with home schooling increasingly
-heard an update on progress on building and grounds projects which are on schedules. A dishwasher went down and is being repaired.
-approved a speech therapist agreement with Riverdale School District
Under personnel the board: -Hired Nicole Naeger as instructional data coordinator
-Hired Morgan Hach as library media coordinator
-Hired Cortlyn Conley as an aide -Approved Jepta and Josiah Greene as volunteer football coaches.
The board also discussed a waiver program for alumni or students who help with practices due to numbers for scrimmage purposes.