A fast-paced meeting for the South Hamilton Community School Board last Monday night. The board appointed Jay Moline and Angela Wirth to serve on the board negotiating team for discussions on contracts with schoolteachers and staff for the 2026-27 academic year. The first meeting will be held in the next few weeks. The At-Risk and Dropout Prevention Plan for the 2026-27 school year was approved. The School Budget Review Committee Modified Supplemental Aid Request for At-Risk/ Dropout Prevention in the amount of $250,393 was approved. A Financial Services Agreement with Piper Sandler to act as the municipal advisor for the issuance of School Infrastructure Sales, Services & Use Tax Revenue (SAVE) Bonds for auxiliary gym project. The use of the electronic bidding system PARITY for the bond sale was approved. The South Hamilton school board approved the early retirement applications from Lori Vincent, Terri Cook and Todd Coy.
In other matters, the South Hamilton school board learned that second-semester schedules are finalized with junior and senior schedule changes all completed and scheduling for the 2026-27 school year beginning in early February. The J-Team revisions focused on increased rigor and career exploration were successful , with appreciation extended to the DCAP team. South Hamilton was selected as NAEP ( National Assessment of Education Progress) testing site, with 8th-grade testing scheduled for February 17th in reading and math. This week brings the annual observance of Winterfest at South Hamilton with daily theme days for students and staff. The Winterfest dance is set for this Saturday night from 8:00 until 10:00 p.m. at the high school in Jewell.
Sixth grade students of South Hamilton will attend the Junior Achievement BizTown in Des Moines on January 23rd as part of a financial literacy experience. Additionally, elementary students and staff collected nearly 2,000 items for the Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry prior to the winter break last month. The South Hamilton Ag classroom remodel is nearing completion, HVAC preventative maintenance was completed over the holiday break, and window repairs are needed for the elementary school