Like a runner heading down the homestretch, the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School's facilities project is nearing the finish line.

The biggest obstacle to be cleared is completion of the middle school in Sanborn. According to Senior Project Manager Mark Pfister, of Boyd Jones Construction, the end is in sight.

"Things are closing up there now," Pfister told the school board on Monday. "I think everything is on schedule at the middle school as we planned. I think school will be able to start on the 23rd."

The health inspector and fire marshal must go through the building and make sure it meets code requirements.

"Hopefully that's the last hurdle before having the certificate of occupancy on the 30th," Pfister said.

He also reported there are "a few items left to be resolved" at the high school and elementary building. The contractor has been troubleshooting issues with the controls.

"Everything in the buildings has worked," Pfister noted. "The boiler in the elementary seems to work. The city has installed a larger natural gas regulator. Hopefully the boiler will work better than it has."

• Payment withholding questioned again

Board members again discussed whether payment to Boyd Jones should be withheld. That question was raised in June when Board President Scott Heetland and Board Vice President Scott Vollink, members of the building committee, expressed frustration with what they believed was a lack of progress with the middle school and other issues.

Both agreed some concerns have since been addressed, but they still feel the district must keep pressure on Boyd Jones to get everything satisfactorily completed on time.

"It seems that until we said something last month, we weren't getting the service we felt we deserved," Heetland said to Pfister. "We expect you to finish strong."

Pfister again reiterated that he believed the middle school would be completed on time, and that Boyd Jones had fulfilled its role when problems arose in the other buildings.

"Boyd Jones is responsible to make sure issues are addressed," Pfister said. "I think Boyd Jones has stepped up every step of the way."

Acknowledging the district has a contractual obligation, the board approved paying Boyd Jones' claim as submitted.

• Operational sharing agreements

H-M-S will contract for the services of a human resources director from South O'Brien for two days a week, and South O'Brien is contracting for services of H-M-S's buildings and grounds director, Kevin Soden, one day per week.

According to Superintendent Patrick Carlin, H-M-S will receive operational sharing incentive funding for both positions and gain an employee to assist with HR-related matters.

Two specialist positions are being added for 2021-22. Jonathan Rozeboom will serve as a middle school at-risk specialist and Lindsey Ramsey will be an elementary literacy specialist.

Both are one-year positions with the possibility of being extended to 2022-23. Carlin said that Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding makes the positions possible.

Contracts were issued to 19 certified staff who will serve as TLC mentors for first and second year teachers or for experienced teachers who are new to H-M-S. Mentors assist new staff in acclimating to district procedures.

LeAnn Mattingly was hired as the elementary administrative assistant and Matt Jefferson will serve as high school science club advisor.

Resignations were accepted from middle school custodian Russ Meyer who will retire in the fall, and from Lindsey Ramsey who is changing positions within the district.

• Annual agreements, PLC conference

Agreements with Northwest Iowa Community College and Iowa Lakes Community College for 4+ transition services were approved. Both provide Individualized Education Program (IEP) services for students who require them. Another agreement provides H-M-S students access to NCC college classes and alternative education programs.

Board members also approved a universal pediatric nursing agreement for students who require 1-to-1 nursing services during the school day.

NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS

Football helmets sit in storage inside a bus at H-M-S Middle School in Sanborn. Work on the building is expected to be finished next month.

H-M-S will be a host site for the Professional Learning Communities at Work virtual conference. The board approved paying the $27,000 fee, which includes registrations and all conference-related materials.

H-M-S has invited neighboring districts to attend. They will be charged $300 for each participant.

"The nice thing about it is that it allows all our staff to participate," Carlin explained. "We'll get good bang for our buck."