Job no less routine for school secretary

Hillsboro’s Superintendent of Schools was admittedly “struggling” with a copying machine.
A freshman student questioned if her parents needed to accompany her åat registration.
And Dawn Paulsrud was looking for the vacuum cleaner.
“It’s blue and it went that way,” said Pat Thomas, smiling and pointing toward the hallway.
She was still smiling when she pointed the freshman student toward the library
“No, you don’t need your parents here, but you do need to follow the crowd.”
The relieved freshman smiled on both counts. Still, she hesitated.

School starting in less than 10 days

By NEIL O. NELSON
A day in the life of Pat Thomas involves students, staff and administrators, even when school hasn’t started.
Working from the make-shift administration offices, which when school starts on Aug. 27 will once again be the FACS classroom, Pat Thomas on Tuesday was only briefly at her desk. Much of the day was spent welcoming students registering, which involved giving directions, offering suggestions, answering questions, smiling all the while.
It was a familiar routine, a pattern she follows on a daily basis from the first day of school in late August to the last day of classes in May.

Central Valley School welcomes 2 new teachers

Central Valley will welcome aboard two new teachers this school year.
Michelle Mahlen, 23, will take on the role of teaching English to grades 9 through 12. Originally from Danbury, Wis., Mahlen made the move to North Dakota solely for the teaching position at Central Valley.
Mahlen attended college at the University of Superior and graduated with a degree in English education. This is her first teaching position.
Far from home and unacquainted with the area, Mahlen claims she doesn’t mind the separation. In fact, she is very optimistic about making North Dakota her new home.

Street project turning the corner

By MICHELLE MCLEAN
Home stretch. Central Specialities and its subcontractors have been working on the streets since May. The early work has been cast in concrete replacement of curb and gutter and valley gutters to improve storm sewer function. Next comes the asphalt.
Last week the pavement portion of the work began. Milling machines have stripped off portions of deteriorated asphalt all over town. New pavement will resurface some streets while others will require a simple seal coat and others still, a complete overhaul.
“Full-depth repairs” involve removing all the asphalt and the gravel underneath about two feet in depth to complete the most extensive repairs.
Oppegaard said there are 57 locations around town some large, some small that are marked for full-depth repair. Residents can identify those locations by pink paint marks on the pavement.

Streets of Hillsboro challenging adventure

By NEIL O. NELSON
Driving the streets of Hillsboro these days can be challenging.
It’s an obstacle course, some claim.
Still others insist it’s an adventure.
Mothers running errands are requesting hazardous duty pay.
“It’s bad enough driving with a carload of kids, but to run an obstacle course at the same time, we didn’t sign on for this.”
It’s perilous out there, say others who are certain little cars, animals and kids have been lost in the deep holes in Hillsboro’s streets.
Rest assured, no one has been lost. Nor have there been any reports of missing pets or vehicles.
To date, anyway.

Thrift store opening Tuesday

By NEIL O. NELSON
Hillsboro’s newest business will open its doors Tuesday, at 10 o’clock in the morning.
That’s Jeanne Stigen’s plan and she’s sticking to it.
“Come whatever, that’s my plan. We’re going to open Tuesday.”
The Lighthouse Thrift Store, a non-profit business incorporated to help a Christian Children’s Home, will open in the store front at Paul’s Hometown Repair, which for decades was home to Hillsboro’s Ford new car dealership.
The August 21 new store opening will be celebrated with coffee and baked goods.