Two new candidates file for Hamilton School Board

With the Jan. 19 closing date behind us, there have been two new candidates file for a position on the school board. There are three people that currently have chosen to run including incumbent Jerry Cook, who has filed for re-election. Brandon Grooms and Will Railsback have also filed. The three will be vying for two positions on the board.

Superintendent Ford started this month’s brief meeting by recognizing the board members with a certificate of appreciation for their service and with a gift card to the local Mexican restaurant.

The board received a letter from Ann Beard directed to Principal Tim Schieber, complimenting the school on encouraging students to get involved in service projects that help out in the community. “In the true spirit of Christmas these are the kinds of things that make me be proud to be a part of Hamilton,” she wrote.

Jessica Green informed the board that the MSBA annual conference this year will be held Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

The board approved the Vocational Enhancement grant. Ford said that every year the school writes up a grant to upgrade their computers in the tech labs. This year they added Schieber’s program that the board talked about last month. The estimated expenditure for the grant would be $27,150, with an estimated reimbursement of $20,000, so the district is looking at getting a lot of equipment for around $7,000 including networking and internet installation.

Ford said an old wrestler’s mat that had been stored on concrete has absorbed moisture and is falling apart. Ford said he had been approached by some people who do gymnastics that are interested in using it.

Next week is the Hamilton basketball tournament and Ford told the board they were invited to attend the hospitality dinner provided by the junior class parents.

Tyler Anderson fixed the pipe on the north side of the gym where the water was coming in, and the district was looking at replacing that section of the floor this summer.

The school’s bond issue will be taken to Kingston to be put on the ballot this week. In March Ford plans to attend some local meetings in the evening to further discuss the issue.

With no other business at hand, Jessica Green made a motion to go into closed session.