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The Hillsboro School next year will need a high school principal, English teacher, FACS instructor and a librarian.

Gayle King, Elaine Laxdal and Kay Rotvold have announced their plans to retire at the end of the school year.

High school principal Ron Stahlecker, who was hired last summer to replace the departing Kevin Coles, will also be leaving at the end of the school year.

Stahlecker was hired on an interim basis. King, Laxdal and Rotvold have each been with the school many years.

The school is advertising for a principal, according to superintendent Mike Bitz. Deadline for applications is April 4.

The school advertised 30 days last year for an elementary principal and received more than 30 inquiries.

Meanwhile, Bitz reported Tuesday that he has received seven resumes from individuals interested in the high school English opening. Five others have called the school.

“We have some pretty good candidates,” Bitz told his board of education Tuesday.

One individual has applied for Elaine Laxdal’s half-time FACS job. Four more have expressed an interest, according to Bitz.

It’s expected veteran faculty member Sue Reed will move into the librarian’s job being vacated by Rotvold.

Jane Hurt, Reading First instructor, will likely be offered Reed’s Title 1 position, hinted Bitz.

The school’s federally-funded Reading First grant expires this year. The federal program has generated $525,000 for the school over the last three years.

The school wants to keep Hurt on staff, Bitz indicated.

“We’re not sure what her role will be next year, but she will be on the elementary staff somewhere.”
Grant available

from the state

Told the school will receive a $24,500 grant from the state, designated for renovation projects of facilities, school board members favored repairing the high school roof.

The money, which includes a matching funds from the school, bringing the total to $49,000, has to be spent this year.

Supt. Bitz will report back to the board with quotes on repairing the high school roof.

Restroom facilities near the high school gymnasium also need work, board members know.
Fossum, Luithle

facing re-election

School board members Paul Fossum and Dr. Tim Luithle have terms expiring this year.

Fossum is currently president of the Hillsboro board of education. Both men indicated this week they would run for re-election.

The filing deadline is April 11. The annual school election will coincide with the state’s primary election on June 10.

In other business, the board urged school administrators to explore the possibility of recycling the school’s trash next year.

“Whatever we can do can’t hurt,” said board member Don Hanson, Jr.

We can start with the plastic pop bottles, he suggested.

Bitz reported at the end of this week’s meeting that the second year of the school’s two-year teacher contracts will be issued next week.