HNS Board hires engineering firm, new teachers

HARTINGTON — Before construction of a new addition to the Hartington-Newcastle Elementary School can take place, drainage and sewer issues are going to need to be addressed, Supt. A.J. Johnson told School Board members Monday.

The HNS Board approved a civil engineering contract with Olmsted and Perry Consulting Engineers of Omaha to dig into the issue and come up with some proposals to solve potential sewer and water runoff issues.

The contract could cost the District as much as $26,130, but the total is most likely to be under $20,000, Johnson said.

Johnson told Board members he was frustrated the issue wasn't examined earlier in the process.

Also Monday, the Board accepted the resignation of elementary school teacher Brody Kelly, who has taken another position in the Albion area closer to his hometown.

The Board also agreed to hire two new teachers.

Tanner Fischer, a 2015 HNS graduate, has been hired as the new elementary school guidance counselor.

Fischer is a Peru State College graduate and is currently working as the K-12 school guidance counselor at Tripp-Delmont in Tripp, S.D.

The Board also approved the hiring of Ryan Macholon to replace Kelly. Macholon, who is originally from Howells, is currently student teaching in the elementary school with Leigh Haselhorst.

Last month, the Board hired Kelsey Reiman to replace Lauren Mecseji as the 7-12 family and consumer science teacher. She resigned to take another teaching position in the Omaha area.

Reiman is currently teaching at Battle Creek.

Also Monday, the Board discussed using money from the federal Cares Act COVID relief funding to help pay the guidance counselor salary.