Fewer pop machines in school, more healthy options

By SUSAN BERG

Staff writer

Members of Hillsboro Trojan Band and Hillsboro High School FFA will be taking trips out-of-state this school year with some financial assistance from the school district.

During Monday’s USD 410 school board meeting, members were reminded that $1,000 that previously had been designated to each group for such trips no longer was in the budget. However, the board did agree to provide vehicles and fuel, and pay for sponsors’ expenses.

The band will travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area in May, to visit the University of North Texas. The visit will include a tour of the music facility and clinic. From there, the group will compete in a contest and spend a day at Six Flags Over Texas.

Students and boosters will have fund-raisers during the year to offset expenses for the students.

FFA members will travel to the National FFA Convention Oct. 22-25 at Indianapolis, Ind.

The remainder of the expenses for students will be paid through the chapter and fund-raisers.

In other business:

• New lights at the Tabor College football field may cause some scheduling changes for the first home Trojan football game. If the lights are not installed in time, the board discussed using the football field at the elementary school with bleachers brought in for spectators. However, other concerns arose regarding the state of construction at that time and whether the parking lot is completed. It then was determined that the first “home” game with Smoky Valley may have to be played at Smoky Valley.
• The board accepted the resignation of Jeannette Brubaker.
• Superintendent Doug Huxman reported some changes may need to be made to the board’s policy regarding the rental of the mobile bleachers to include private, in-town rentals. Policy was established for out-of-town setups.
• Board member Eddie Weber suggested the board consider setting guidelines for public use of the new weight room. Hillsboro High School Principal Max Heinrichs said he had considered operating the weight room as the gymnasiums are through the Hillsboro Recreation Commission.
• Evan Yoder, Hillsboro Elementary School principal, reported he was anticipating an enrollment of 250 students with 46 kindergarten students. Enrollment was 264 at the end of the 2008 school year.
• A minute had been added to the time Hillsboro High School students had to change classes because of construction and Heinrichs would like to keep it that way. He explained to the board that some hallways will not be accessible during construction with personnel monitoring the areas of concern.
• The HHS gym will be shared by the high school and middle school. Volleyball practices may have to be staggered to accommodate the change. Heinrichs also wants to eliminate the middle school gym being used as a short-cut for students.
• Vending machines only will carry sugar-free and healthy drinks. Heinrichs reported there currently are three beverage and one snack machines. He wants to eliminate one beverage machine and have the other two machines have sugar-free soft drinks, juice, water, and sports drinks.
• A synthesizer for a computer needs to be replaced, Heinrichs said. He will look into the options of purchasing. He also suggested one of the two CO2 tracks be sold and electronics for a new track be purchased with the money.
• New athletic director Robert Rempel said he will meet with coaches and address budget cuts. Board president Rod Koons asked about a heat schedule for football practice. Rempel said he would establish one Friday and will post the information on the school’s web site.
• An executive session for acquisition of property was held prior to the touring of the buildings and the regular board meeting at Irv Schroeder County Motors. There were no decisions when the meeting reconvened.
• A special board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at the central office in the basement of Emprise Bank. A budget hearing and other business will be addressed.