H-BC Board members change election date

By Lexi MooreA resolution passed by the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board will extend the terms of office for board members.The resolution states that School Board elections held after 2006 will be in even-numbered years.In the past, the school has held board elections on odd years.Although Superintendent David Deragisch encouraged the board to pass the resolution, he favors the current situation."Odd-year elections made us the only show on the road," he said about the ballots."I am concerned about switching. The responsibility will fall on us to educate the public about the changes."Federal and state auditor changes in election mandates have made it impossible for the school to keep their odd-year election schedule.New requirements for standardized counting and voting machines at all polling places in the district would cost the district an estimated $10,000 per election, if held during odd years.With the current system, the district pays for election judges and little else. The election takes place at the high school and elementary school with hand-written ballots.Meeting the standards of the new system would require the district to pay for the ballots, the use of the new automatic counter and automatic marker machines, judges and an additional handicap-accessible machine.Switching to even-year elections will allow the district to be added to ballots with national, state, county and local elections.This will save the district from having to pay for the election out of its own budget. The cost of the election would be free.As a result of passing the resolution, board members who would have been up for reelection in 2007 will have their terms extended to 2008. Board members elected last November will not be up for reelection until 2010.The resolution was brought to a roll-call vote following a motion made by Vice-chairman Ann Boeve and seconded by Lois Leenderts. The resolution passed with all members in favor.Board approves contracts for 2006-07:Board members approved contracts with Southwest/West Central Education Service during Monday night’s meeting.The cooperative agency groups schools together and provides services the schools could not provide on their own.Services provided are often too costly for the schools to contract alone.H-BC uses the cooperative for a variety of services including legal advice, Internet access, a school psychologist and computer technology support.Deragisch and Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus gave several examples of how the cooperative has made their jobs easier and helped the district run more smoothly.The board approved the contracts for the upcoming year after a short discussion.FFA, board honored for outstanding jobs:Deragisch and Holthaus took time on Monday night to thank School Board members for their outstanding commitment to the district.This week is School Board Recognition Week."I want to thank all of you for not only running but for serving," Deragisch said. "You do a great job of keeping what’s best for the kids in mind. Our community is very fortunate."In recognition of FFA Week last week, the board reviewed activities FFA students do for the district.These include fixing and maintaining the district’s small vehicles, caring for the football field and taking charge of the H-BC concession stand.Dates to remember:
Monday, March 6, will be the final Family Night at H-BC Elementary. Families will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to work on math items.
On Thursday, March 9, Early Childhood/Family Education will sponsor "Fathers Reading Every Day" at the H-BC Elementary School.
On Saturday, March 11, sixth-grade boys and girls will participate in a basketball tournament at the elementary school.
On Friday, March 31, the high school will sponsor a community blood drive from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A bloodmobile will be parked at the high school for residents interested in giving blood.