Good news of generous citizen support was announced to the Hortonville School Board members at its meeting, Monday, Dec. 15.
Community member Darlene Bolson donated $10,000 to the school’s Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology Department. The donation is to be used to cover material and labor costs for a village of Hortonville project.
Students in the high school Polar Bear Enterprise business built two hexagonal picnic tables and four steel benches for Memorial Park. Additionally, the donation covers the cost of 17 identification markers. Students manufactured laser engraved signs that identify tree species in the village of Hortonville.
The HHS Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology Department received another donation of $5,000 from Darwin Selle of Global Fab in Hortonville.
Additional good news was reported from North Greenville Elementary School Art Department.
A grant of $1,200 was awarded from the Les and Dar Stumpf Family Fund to assist with “Keeping Arts in Education.”
Bob Weix, physical education teacher, addressed the school board to recognize Dan Schroeder of the Department of Natural Resources for his assistance with restoring an archery club in the school. Weix said that Schroeder was instrumental in securing $4,645 from various sources within the past two years. Weix said the program would not have advanced without Schroeder’s help.
Weix reported 23 students are on the roster and will begin practice at Old Archery on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Schroeder remarked that Weix encouraged students throughout the process of forming the club. He said that Weix involved parents and teachers in getting the program running. Schroeder, a Hortonville alum, said that his son will follow in his footsteps as an archery club member.
Instructor Mike Ubl reported that the Hortonville High School Engineering Department Robotics Team was selected to host a robotics competition on Jan. 17. As many as 18 teams will attend from throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Board President Paul Thome asked if the schools new business education areas would be showcased. Ubl said that the space in suite 108 is designated as a practice area, and that all teams plus up to 60 judges will be using the area.
Many engineering related businesses will be interested and attending the event.
In official business, the board approved the resignation of HMS eighth grade teacher Terry Hackman, who will leave Jan. 21. The board noted that the last minute resignation was a breach of contract and Hackman would be requested to pay the $1,500 as noted in the teacher’s contract.
District Administrator Dr. Heidi Schmit said with a last-minute resignation, it is difficult to find a qualified, quality teacher. The teacher would have their own workload while becoming oriented to a new school and its policies.
Board members noted that several staff members were resigning due to the 30-hour a week positions. The agenda for the October and December board meetings totaled seven resignations.
Reports in January are expected to cover building project vouchers, and an updated policy involving school medications. New to the school board, Dana Ramshak noted the wording in the school medication policy merited a review.