School Board conducts business during semifinal football game

The Decorah Community School Board conducted its regular monthly meeting on Monday night, despite the conflict with the Decorah High School state tournament game in Cedar Falls. Obligations related to previously set public hearings and setting a date for issuance of bonds prevented them from rescheduling. (There was no comment received, verbally or written, from the public for either public hearing.)

During the meeting the Board:

• Delayed action on a whole grade sharing agreement with North Winneshiek School District due to some minor clerical issues. The agreement, which has already been approved by North Winneshiek, is expected to be approved in a special meeting on November 21, when the Board convenes to approve bond bids for the high school renovation.
• Approved Rebecca Burkes as a new member for the Shareholder Committee.
• Heard updates on the high school renovation.  Greg Schaller, Director of Building and Grounds, said things are slightly ahead of schedule. Some "punch lists" will be done on the library and classrooms tomorrow. The walls are mostly up and the roofing should be on the gym by Wednesday. Floors have been poured for the shop areas and the front office areas. Work on connections with city water lines has progressed so that Riverside Avenue should be open within a week. Schaller also reports that the media center and the renovated classrooms are connected with the new heating system so they will not be dependent on the old boiler system.