High Plains completely set with all certified staff
The HPC school board received an update from the school’s Teammates chapter during Monday’ regular monthly meeting.
Karen Benner, the chapter coordinator since its inception in 2016, shared with the board its participation numbers have been steady throughout much of the near decade.
According to Benner, the chapter began with 16 matches in 2016 and currently, the school has 17 matches with a couple kids still in need of mentorship.
“The goal has been and always will be to match every student who wants a mentor,” Benner shared. “Mentoring is for everybody. We’ve had all kinds of Teammates and want it to stay that way.”
Benner stated there was a small dip in numbers due to the COVID pandemic a couple years ago, but those numbers have bounced back well in the time since.
High Plains has three mentees graduating in the 2024 class and added there are scholarship opportunities for thsoe students who are interested.
Benner, a former teacher at High Plains, also shared her thoughts about possibly handing over the baton as coordinator to someone a bit more connected within the school.
HPC Supt. Kim Beran shared with the board the graduation date is May 11 at 1 p.m. May 16 is the last day for students with the following day being the last for teachers.
HPC secondary principal Micah Fisher noted several high school students have gotten an interesting education during recent weeks as many of the school’s animal population has given birth, including calves just hours earlier.
High Plains also solidified the rest of its certified staff during the meeting. After accepting the resignation of PE teacher Jenny Kadavy, the board quickly approved the contract for PE educator Kent Frenzen, a Lakeview grad who will enter his first year of teaching for the Storm.
Other contract hires included Kierra Bearinger for third grade, Sarah Grigsby for the high school guidance counselor position and Rebekah Kraeger as a second ag instructor.
In other business items, the board purchased five new smartboards using REAP funding, which are set aside for rural schools for technology updates.
They also approved a service agreement with Hans Service for the Polk east building in an effort to keep more of its business local.
The board also approved a painting project through Chris and Sons in Aurora to paint the agriculture building for $9,820.
The next meeting of the HPC school board is set for May 13.