New Teachers at Holden . . . Parents and students
will have a chance to meet Holden's 10 new teachers Wednesday, August
18, at the Back to School Night. The new teachers are (front row, left to right) Jennifer Aamodt, high school science; Allison Edwards, high school physical education; Mindi Crook, fifth grade; Brandon McDannald, band; (back row) Linda Schnakenberg, high school English; Charlene Atkins, middle school math; Sarah Mills, high school English; Mandy Lewis, high school science and math; Kim Thompson, high school science; and Sarah Abel, third grade. By Trina Davidson News Staff The Holden City Council
accepted the resignation of Councilman Fred Morriset during their regular
meeting Tuesday night. This leaves a council position vacancy for Ward
I.“Any residents interested in filling this position should please contact me,” explained Mayor Terry Hedglin. “I would like to have a replacement by our next regular meeting.” The mayor can be reached at 850-5535. The council is scheduled to meet in regular session on Tuesday, September 14. In separate business, the council was addressed by Sandy Roberts and Jo Ann Nolan on behalf of the Holden Chamber of Commerce. Roberts, a member of the Holden Chamber Economic Development Committee, briefed the council regarding the “Kickoff to the Future” meetings held earlier in the summer. “The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to work together to promote community pride and prosperity,” explained Roberts. “Holden is a prime area for growth and development. We sincerely offer our assistance to [the council] to help Holden reach its fullest potential.” She presented to the council a list of issues that were considered important to Holden. These lists were created based on citizen input during the Kickoff meetings. Roberts asked the council to keep these issues in mind for future projects in Holden and when considering budget decisions. Roberts reminded the council that the Economic Development Committee meets on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. at O&M Enterprises. Nolan updated the council on the progress of the farmer’s market. She explained that they are now members of the AgriMissouri program and the Missouri Farmer’s Market Association. Specific information regarding sellers, as well as directions to the market, can be obtained on the web at www.holdenmarket.com. The market is located in the Holden City Park on Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to noon. Due to an excess of produce, farmers will also have the opportunity to sell their goods on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. Nolan also provided the council with information regarding plans for a downtown park located on Second Street on the site of the torn down thrift store. The cost for construction and maintenance of the park will be funded through the sale of memorial bricks and various fundraisers. Maintenance labor will be provided by volunteers. Nolan explained that park board approval has been received, but access to water, electricity, security and insurance is needed from the city. Hedglin informed the council the Eagle Crest subdivision will begin pushing dirt within the next two weeks. New home construction, he added, will begin within the next six months. In other business, Hedglin updated the council on the progress of two subdivisions recently proposed. Nathan Carlile was researching the possibility of developing a subdivision on the north side of the city limits, west of the Forward Community Church. However, annexation requirements state that a subdivision must have paved streets and sewers. Since Carlile was unwilling to meet these requirements, the Board of Public Works (BPW) denied his request on the basis of substandard property for future annexation. Nathan Zier is in the beginning stages of developing a subdivision containing 40-50 lots one mile south of Holden on Highway 131. In trying to meet the annexation requirements, Zier has asked the city to accept their sewage into the city sewer system. The sewage would be transported by pipe to the city limits. The city of Holden would receive a monthly fee for this service. Hedglin explained that the BPW has agreed to this proposal, but the city would need to sign a contract. Councilman Brown expressed concern over this arrangement. “We’ve got citizens inside the city limits who don’t have access to our sewer system. I’d rather see all these citizens have access before we allow citizens outside the city limits access to the system.” It was suggested that the usage fee received from the new subdivision could help fund sewer improvements for citizens within the city limits. The council tabled the issue until next month when Tony Lerda, owner of O&M Enterprises, could be present to answer additional questions. In additional business, Councilman Dwight Anstine reported on behalf of the park board. He pointed out to the council that a major effort has been made to make improvements at the Holden City Park playground. He added that equipment has been ordered, but not yet installed. He expressed gratitude to the council for additional funds being given to the park board and added that improvements will be noticed. In separate business, Warren and Larry Strate addressed the council regarding a flooding incident in apartments located at Eighth and Market Streets. The Strates claimed that the flooding was a result of negligence on the city’s part, and, therefore, the city should be responsible for the property damage. Upon recommendation by Councilman Karl Timmerman, the Strates will submit a letter to the council detailing the events and the damages. The city will then forward the letter to their insurance company to see if it qualifies for reimbursement through their liability coverage. In new business, Mike Wakeman, code enforcement officer, has been seeking bids for the sale of a 1975 fire truck. Currently, the only bid received was from Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. for $4,900. Councilman Brent Brown suggested that the city advertise the truck on e-Bay, an online auction site, with the stipulation of a minimum bid of $4,900. The council agreed that the fire truck would be sold to AEC if e-Bay did not result in a higher sale price. In closing business, the council approved two requests for liquor consumptions and appropriations for the past month. See The Image For Full News Coverage By Trina Davidson News Staff |
During the regular meeting held Monday evening, the Holden R-III School
Board held a tax rate hearing to set the levy for the coming school
year. Dr. Lindell Harrison, superintendent, proposed the rate remain
consistent with last year’s rate of $3.61 per $100 of assessed
valuation. Harrison requested, however, that the proportion of the levy be changed. For 2003-04, the levy allocated $3.31 into the operational fund and $.30 into debt service. The board approved that the proportion be changed to allow $3.30 into the operational fund and $.31 into debt service for the 2004-05 school year. In other business, the board voted to set graduation for Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 2 p.m. in the afternoon. Due to renovations made at the high school over the past year, the event will be held in the air conditioned gymnasium. In related business, Wade Lininger, an architect with the firm Sam A. Winn & Associates Architects, P.C., updated the board on the progress of construction and renovations in the district. The mechanical renovation process currently underway at the high school is approaching completion. Once school begins on Thursday, contractors will be working with school administration to ensure minimal disruptions during school hours. Regarding the new intermediate school, the third grade classrooms have been released to the school district. The remainder of the building is scheduled to be reviewed and released on August 26. Subsequently, teachers will move their equipment and supplies over the Labor Day weekend. Students will be welcomed into the new classrooms on Tuesday, September 7. In addition, Lininger was pleased to notify the board of the financial success of the project. Typically, construction projects of this magnitude result in change orders totaling seven to nine percent of the original contract. The change orders for the Holden renovation/construction project equaled less than three percent of the cost of construction. Specifically, the original contract was for $2,965,000. Change orders over the last 14 months have amounted to $84,181, or 2.8% of the original contract. In other business, Robyn Sisk, principal of the elementary school, updated the board regarding two programs at the elementary, Parents As Teachers (P.A.T.) and the Eagle’s Nest Preschool. Sisk explained that the P.A.T. program is currently serving 71 prenatal to age three families. In addition to conforming to state guidelines, Delann Lewis, parent educator and Sisk have received training to optimize the program. Any families interested in joining the P.A.T. program can contact Lewis at 732-4136. The Eagle’s Nest Preschool is beginning the 2004-05 year with 19 full-day children and two half day children enrolled. The program, which serves three and four-year-old children, costs $75 per week. Sisk explained that this will be the first year for students who have been in the program for two years to enter kindergarten. Administrators are eager to track the academic success of the children who have participated in the district preschool. Anyone interested in receiving information about this program may call 732-4136. In additional business, Larry Arnone, director of auxiliary services, addressed the board regarding transportation routes. Residents will not see any dramatic changes; however, consolidation of the elementary and intermediate school buildings should help reduce the amount of time students spend on the buses. Board President Jeff Miller expressed concern on behalf of the board that a student’s time on a bus should not exceed 60 minutes. Arnone assured the board that the transportation department is working with that objective in mind. In closing business, the board voted to renew an agreement with the American Red Cross allowing use of the school buildings during times of disaster. See The Image For Full News Coverage The Kingsville School
Board, meeting in regular session, Aug. 12, set the district’s
general levy at $3.25 per $100 of assessed valuation and established
the debt service portion at $.9433.In other business, Superintendent Kevin Coleman presented the board with information about the Career Vocational Education (CVE) program. The program, Coleman explained, is a work study opportunity offered to seniors. Coleman also reported the new Erickson Library sign has been installed above the library door and that mulch had been spread on the playground and that basketball goals would be installed soon. The board also voted to raise the pay for substitute teachers from $70 per day to $75 and agreed to pay for background checks for substitute teachers as their applications are received. The board will next meet on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. See The Image For Full News Coverage The Holden Booster
Club, meeting Thursday night, announced that “Meet The Eagles”
for football, volleyball, cross country, cheerleading and band will
be held Friday, Aug. 27 beginning at 6 p.m. at the high school.In other business, the organization agreed to operate this year with committee chairpersons rather than officers. Upcoming events and those responsible to coordinate them are as follows: hog roast, Kathleen and Rusty Kephart; chili supper, Rusty and Cyndy Hartwell; concessions, Andrea Evans; sports programs, Steve and Diana Sullins and Rusty Hartwell; membership, Steve and Diana Sullins; spirit shop, Dana Straka and “Meet The Eagles”, Kelli Spies. See The Image For Full Sports Coverage |
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