District purchases bleachers for the high school gym

By Lexi MooreResidents attending Hills-Beaver Creek events in the Hugo Geohle gymnasium will have a more comfortable place to sit next fall.The school district purchased a set of aluminum, self-contained bleachers at an auction in Huron on Friday.Huron College, which closed in December of 2005, sold most of the school’s inventory during a large auction.H-BC’s David Deragisch and Steve Wiertzema attended the auction with auctioneer Keith Elbers. On Thursday, during the auction’s preview, Deragisch measured and tested the bleachers.The specifications closely match the H-BC gym and should accommodate nearly as many people."They appear to be a perfect match – and the auction gave us a chance to get them at an incredible price."Because the bleachers are self-contained, nothing can fall between the rows and end up on the floor.On Friday, the group purchased one set of bleachers with a winning bid of $7,500.Huron College purchased and installed the bleachers in 1995. They are electronic and expand and retract with the push of a button.Deragisch reported to the School Board on Monday that the bleachers currently have two sets of steps. He has already contacted the company that manufactures the bleachers to see about adding a third row of stairs in the middle.The company said that could easily be done and was surprised by the price paid. The set would sell for over $50,000, if purchased new.The district hopes to install the bleachers during the summer months, giving cleaning crews a chance to thoroughly polish the floor underneath.In addition to the bleachers, the school purchased 60 shoulder pads to be used by the H-BC Patriot football team.The district has been short on pads in past years and this purchase should eliminate that problem.Pads cost roughly $125, if purchased new. The district paid $900 at the auction, making each set $15.New teachers hired
Mandy Kor, Hills, has been hired as a full-time English teacher at the H-BC High School for the 2006-07 school year.The board approved a $30,893 salary and may hire her as a head volleyball coach in the future.
Patti Nelson was hired to be the H-BC high school and junior high band instructor for the 2006-07 school year. Nelson has several years of experience.Her contract is for a 75-80 percent full-time teacher at a salary of $29,714. The position may become full-time after the first semester concludes.