Board votes to improve accoustics in new gym

HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board Monday agreed to a $27,209 expenditure to improve the acoustics in the new gymnasium.

The original bid for the gym had about $100,000 in it to help reduce noise and improve acoustics. Board members opted not to accept that portion of the bid, however, deciding they would determine if improvements were necessary once the facility was operational.

Now that it’s in use, everyone has discovered improved acoustics are a must, Supt. A.J Johnson said.

‘’It’s loud in there,’’ he said. ’When we’ve got a PE class in there, you can’t hear a thing.’’

Several Board members agreed, saying they’ve heard comments from their kids that they can’t even hear the teacher during gym class.

The Board agreed to purchase the acoustics package from Gemini Acoustical of Sioux Falls, S.D.

Johnson said besides putting in the acoustics package, the new addition only requires a few fixes.

There is one door that needs to be fixed, the fence by the playground still needs to be installed and some modifications need to be made to the security system.

Johnson also told Board members that two school buses had hit deer.

No one was injured and no mechanical damage was done, only body damage was reported, he said.

The board also heard a report about upcoming changes to the ACT test from High School Principal Corey Ulrich. Ulrich said the number of questions is being reduced and the science portion of the test will soon become optional. He is planning to get more information at an upcoming Dept. of Education seminar.

The Board also approved a new package for non-certified nine month employees, giving them two additional sick days, and two snow days.

The next meeting is set for Oct. 14.