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HARTINGTON — The Hartington- Newcastle School Board on Monday re-elected Jason Dendinger to lead the board during its annual reorganization meeting.
Dendinger was unanimously elected as board president. Ian Lange was re-elected as vice president, and Candice Climer was re-elected as board secretary.
The board also made its annual appointments for its federal programs director, district counsel, business manager, attendance officer, school depository and official newspaper.
Also Monday, the board accepted the resignation of Amber Davies, who has taught at the school for five years and currently leads the elementary STEAM program. Davies is resigning as she and her family relocate to the Elkhorn area.
The board also approved the sale of school-owned property in Newcastle. Rick Sydow, who owns property adjacent to the parcel, submitted the only bid. His bid was $22,800.
In his report, Superintendent A.J. Johnson said he expects a new bus ordered in 2025 to be delivered in February.
Johnson also reported the district will be receiving two sign donations funded by the Bank of Hartington.
One donation will pay for a portable sign that can be used at the finish line during track events to display timing results as competitors cross. A second Bank of Hartington- sponsored sign will be installed on the district’s vo-ag building.
Elementary Principal Sarah Edwards told the board a teacher in-service was held Jan. 3. Teachers used the time to plan for the second semester, she said.
City Council accepts resignations, approves lease agreement
HARTINGTON — The Hartington City Council on Monday accepted the resignations of two long-time city volunteers.
Hartington Volunteer Fireman Tom Potts and EMT Carol Hamilton each submitted a letter of resignation to the council. Mayor Mark Becker thanked Potts and Hamilton for their service and said their years of dedication to the community will be missed.
Also Monday, the council approved a modification to the lease agreement with Skylon Ballroom LLC.
Under the original lease, the city’s share of event payments was due no later than five days after an event, with a financial report required within 30 days. Skylon Ballroom operator Cory Kramer asked the council to modify the lease so both the payment and reporting deadlines are 30 days after the event.
Council members agreed and directed City Attorney Nikki Brandt to update the lease so payment and reporting will both be due once per month.
Also Monday, the council approved a $970.20 easement payment to Bill Yates for property adjoining the Westfield Acres flood control project.
The council also approved a resolution changing the way holiday pay is distributed. The change clarifies that employees required to work on a holiday due to an emergency will receive time-and-a-half pay, but not double pay, which had occurred on some occasions in the past.
Council members also adopted the city’s annual flexible benefits cafeteria plan.
The council reviewed a report on city fees and discussed the possibility of raising rates. No action was taken, however, as members agreed to take additional time to review the information before making a decision.
Becker asked City Clerk Casey Schulte to compile information on what nearby communities charge for similar rates.
“We don’t want to be the highest city on that list, but we don’t want to be the lowest, either. Somewhere in the middle would be good,” Becker said.
Before adjourning, Becker asked Brandt if the Jan. 14 zoning hearing on a proposed anhydrous ammonia plant could be moved to the city auditorium to accommodate the number of people expected to attend. Brandt said the meeting location could not be changed in order to meet legal notification requirements.
