The Hancock school construction project could be considered about 99 percent complete. The only thing left to do is a punch list, which is steadily getting shorter and shorter. Supt. Paul Carlson updated the Hancock school board on the project at their meeting on Feb. 24.
He stated that the equipment had arrived on Feb. 20 for the Fitness Center and is being set in place. Television monitors will be put up for watching while working out. Carlson stated that AJ Whalen had many of his physical education students in the center during class time and was teaching them how to use each piece of equipment. There are just a few minor things to be done yet in this room.
In the STEM room, a new dishwasher will be arriving this week and installed in the counter area. Lockers will be shipped on April 11 for the Ag Shop. Signage has been put up as needed. The shop area is complete with classes taking place there. Shop instructor Wes Anderson stated that the shop is looking better each and every day. “We are now actually getting done setting it up and will move forward on student led projects.”
There are a few exterior projects that still need to be completed and this will have to wait until spring. Carlson stated that some clean-up needs to be done at the Kim Wolf property along with some landscaping this spring. The initial punch list was 92 pages long which included a lot of detail. Contractors continue to work on closing out punch list items.
A new teacher was hired by the board at the meeting. Morgan Miller will teach social studies and physical education next year in Hancock. Several of the social studies classes will be split as well as some of the phy ed classes. This is a new position for the next school year. Principal Tim Pahl stated that the district received 11 applications and interviewed three excellent candidates. They decided to offer the job to Miller. She is from the Ada-Borup area (which Pahl said we would not hold against her!) She did a teaching practicum here last year under Ryan Snyder who recommended her. Miller also has a strong volleyball background.
The district sent out 47 letters to potential kindergarten students for next year. However, it is estimated that some of these will decide to not start next year or go elsewhere. Pahl felt that the kindergarten class size will be more in the upper 30s.
The board accepted the resignation of two paraprofessionals. Ericka Bolluyt has accepted another position and Carly Ogren has moved. The board thanked them for their years in Hancock and for the great job they did. “We are already missing them,” stated Carlson.
The board recognized several students and athletes for their accomplishments. Valerie Messner was named the region FFA Star Ag Business person. She will now compete against eight others for the state title. Amanda Wevley was elected to the Region III FFA officer team. She will find out what office she has at the region banquet.
Dalton and Davin Rose will move on to state in the individual wrestling tournament. Dalton took first place at the section meet and Davin took second place in his weight class.
Due to a band and choir concert on the same night as the next board meeting, March 16, it was decided to change the start time to 5:30 instead of 6 p.m.
