Mike Aide has been keeping everything running at Highland schools for many years as head custodian.
He has also been one of the most successful football coaches in Highland history. After he ended his varsity head coach career he stayed to help with middle school football. Mike has coached football at Highland for 25 years.
He has also been on call 24/7 and what needed fixing always got fixed.
In short, he is someone who could be counted on to perform nothing short of miracles.
But it is time for a change and Mike is taking a step that will give him more stable hours. He calls it a mental health change.
He is leaving the position but not the support and love he has for the school and the community. He is looking at a plumbing job with better and more consistent hours. It will give him more time.
Mike addressed the Highland school board Wednesday to say thank you. He emphasized that he will still be around to help.
“I am 500 feet away much of the time,” he said. “All you have to do is call.”
Mike said he will be on hand to train his replacement and will give the time needed to make it work.
“I also want everyone to know the school is not closing as that is what has been asked when I tell people about the career change,” he said. “I am doing this because it is what I need to do.”
“I appreciate the board, the staff and my crew,” he said. “I thank you for the opportunity and as I said, call if you need anything.”
Later in the meeting the board accepted his resignation along with a resignation of custodian Rachel Wolfe.
Sophie Tarrell represented the Senior Class and asked permission for the class trip to be an overnight at Wisconsin Dells. She said fundraising will help with the cost so all can afford it. She said they will have a house with two floors, boys on one floor, girls on the other. Chaperones are being selected. She said parents have been contacted and are fine with it. She said it will be the last time the class will be together. Curfews for sports will be observed.
The board approved the request. Principal Ashley Holverson issued some thank you mentions. They included:
-HUDL sponsors -Highland Lions Club for contributions
-book sponsors
-McCon for help at the school Superintendent Josh Tarrell told the board Iowa-Grant has approved all co-ops and meetings will be held to make sure the handbooks are compatible. He also discussed the calendar and what effect potential snow days would have on what would be the last day of school.
Tarrell discussed an interactive activity prior to each co-op sport to address the upcoming seasons.
Tarrell also updated the board on middle school sports numbers. He reaffirmed that graduation will be at 11 a.m. He added that the Booster Bash generated $15,000.
An ongoing study of the possibility of moving to a four day school week was reported on by Tarrell. He said the four day week would allow staff more time for prep and collaboration. He said the concept is gaining popularity in Iowa.
Tarrell said questions include food service, bussing, day care and how co-ops would be affected.
The board will receive updates while the concept is being studied.
“Enrollment is our biggest concern,” board member Will Glanville said. “We won’t know how anything works until we try it. What do we need to do to make us more attractive.”
Tarrell said insurance payments have been calculated for the tornado damage and it appears there will be enough money to fix the lights that were flipped during the storm. He said there is $27,000 to use.
Tarrell said he is still looking for someone to take on servicing the boilers if needed. The company that has been doing that notified the district it will no longer be coming to Highland.
Tarrell also discussed high fuel prices for district expenses and mentioned that if the shot clock comes into use for basketball the cost will be $12-15,000. At present, use is optional upon agreement by both teams.
Under legislative matters Tarrell told the board that ACT tests might not be used for college admission. He also said repeal of Act 10 is at the Supreme Court level.
The board discussed the financial picture and the budget that will be presented at the annual meeting later this month. He said it appears there is $120,000 that could go to the general fund. He expects fuel costs to set a record and be up 5-6%. He said there is zero debt service and that Fund 46 looks good and that 90% of it will be used to repair the roof.
The board discussed and approved adding sixth grade to middle school athletics.
They also approved eight students for CollEDGEup and Start College Now for spring 2027.
Benish Construction will handle snow removal for the district this winter.
Tarrell told the board the athletic directors will work out the use of $9000 for the position.
The board filled the middle school boys basketball positions with Matt Bomkamp as head coach and Jack Tarrell as assistant.