The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

The application of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's gift policy was put to the test during the school board meeting on Jan. 18.

Former H-M-S superintendent Stephen Litts indicated his desire to donate funds to the district. A suggested use of them was the purchase of benches that could be placed either on the north side of the elementary school or in front of it.

Discussion was held in the context of board policy 704.4, which is a part of the larger 700 series that was approved during the meeting. The language is a restatement of previous board policy 802.7.

Board members acknowledged that monetary gifts or bequests to the district are welcome. According to the policy, those gifts will be accepted when they "further the interests of the school district."

"The intentions are always good," said Board Member Ryan Haack. "Everybody means well, but does that further the mission of the school district? We need to be mindful of that."

Principal Cathy Jochims clarified that the suggestion for using the funds offered by Litts resulted from discussions by elementary staff who identified benches as a possibility.

"There is a need for that," she said. "No restrictions were indicated. He was looking at what we needed."

Litts did request that a plaque with the name and photo of his late wife, Dorothy, be placed on whatever is purchased. During their time in the district, Dorothy initiated the school's volunteer program and the Parents as Teachers program.

"I'm not in favor of putting someone's name on a bench," said Board President Scott Heetland.

"I'm not in favor of plaques, but if someone is willing to give money and wants a name on it, I would put a name on it in an unobtrusive place," said Board Member David Vander Broek.

Where benches could be placed and if the funds might be used for another purpose were discussed. Board members noted the policy gives them sole authority to determine whether gifts further the interests of the district and to approve acceptance of them.

A motion made by Vander Broek to accept the offer was not seconded, so no action was taken. The board's concerns will be shared with Litts.

• Schedule planning for new middle school

The middle school building leadership team is discussing the best ways to use the new facility in Sanborn when it is occupied. According to Principal Mark Dorhout, the group has studied schedules from other middle schools and are looking at the best ways to use the space as it applies to course offerings, current priorities and class scheduling.

Other areas under consideration include staff teams, interventions, transitions, co-teaching and shared staff, departmentalization, use of space and efficiency.

Dorhout said the team will also receive assistance from the Area Education Agency.

Elementary teachers are incorporating "I Can" statements into their math instruction and will be adding literacy statements as they are written. Jochims described the statements as "the Iowa Core Standards written in simple, student-friendly terms."

"I Can" statements are identified and posted at the start of each lesson. Jochims said their purpose is to help students better understand what they are learning.

High school teachers are continuing to write a notecard to a student during staff meetings. Principal Nate Hemiller said the teachers use the cards to recognize students for many reasons. The goal is to have at least one teacher find at least one positive quality for each student in the building.

"The professional and positive relationships between teachers and our students have improved greatly over the past few years," Hemiller said.