H-BC School Psychologist resigns

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek school psychologist Jolene Keckler submitted her letter of resignation to the H-BC School Board on Monday.Keckler’s letter explained that she had taken a position with East Dakota Educational Cooperative in Sioux Falls. The new position will put her closer to her family during her working day."I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to work with such a kind and supportive staff over the years but I feel I want to be closer to home," she wrote in her letter.Her final day at H-BC will be Nov. 11.Keckler was hired in 2001 to work as school psychologist for the H-BC, Adrian and Ellsworth school districts.Superintendent David Deragisch presented the Board with a plan of action to accommodate Keckler’s departure from the staff. H-BC will solicit retired professionals from the area and in Sioux Falls to cover the position for the remainder of 2005. At the start of 2006, a graduate student from the University of South Dakota who is seeking a masters degree in Psychology can practice teach at H-BC, Adrian and Ellsworth.This solution will give administrators at the three school districts time to find a permanent candidate for the position.H-BC Elementary receives arts grantElementary Principal Todd Holthaus reported to the Board that the elementary school will receive a $1,000 grant from the Minnesota Arts Board.Holthaus, who applied for the grant, plans to use the money to sponsor a watercolor workshop with students in grades 3-6.A guest watercolor artist will spend a week at H-BC working with the students and creating watercolors."I look forward to seeing what they create," Holtaus said. "I think it will be a good thing for our school."Board member Gary Esselink congratulated Holthaus on getting the grant and thanked him for applying for it."I appreciate having someone willing to write grants for our students," Esselink said. "It benefits everyone involved."Snow removal bidsDeragisch asked the Board to request bids for snow removal at the high school.In the past Cargill Inc. cleared snow from parking lots on the property. After Cargill was sold to New Vision, the new company continued an informal agreement with the school for snow removal.However, New Vision isn’t staffed to provide consistent service, so the district is exploring other options. "Thanks to New Vision for their help but their time line and ours are not the same," Deragisch said.He said he felt there are people in the community interested in doing the job.The request for bids will be published and bids will be opened at the Nov. 8 Board meeting.Patriot Pride report
The Katrina donation trailer left the high school parking lot on Wednesday, Oct. 19, en route for Louisiana."A big thank you to the communities for all of the materials and help in filling the trailer — there was a tremendous response from the families and students," Deragisch said during the meeting.
One of H-BC’s stock market teams is currently in 17th place out of 526 teams. The Stock Market Game has teams of students choose stocks to purchase as potential investments. The ranking is based on the amount of return on the initial investment.
Jessica Penning and Rebecca Crawford were selected to be in the South Dakota Youth Symphony. The Symphony auditions musicians from the Tri-State Area to select the best. The SDYS performs several concerts in Sioux Falls throughout the year.
Math League competition began on Tuesday. There is a record 56 students, grades 9-12, signed up to participate.