Construction technology class to build house
This past year a handful of Marion High School students were enrolled in a construction technology class taught by Lucas King.
The half-day class was designed for students to work with local contractors on small building projects.
This fall the class will expand to a full day with an eight-person class in the morning and a six-person class in the afternoon.
Instead of small projects, the upcoming class will build a house.
Brad and Anita Seacat of Marion, owners of Do It Best Hardware, will finance the spec home and materials for the district.
The property sits on the corner of North Roosevelt and Hudson streets.
Marion-Florence USD 408 board of education superintendent Lee Leiker presented the board and public with the information Monday at the district's normal meeting.
Board president Rex Savage wanted to make sure the Seacats were OK with the fact the house may take longer than the school year to be finished.
"[They] are aware, and OK with the fact there is no definite end date set," Leiker said.
Brad Seacat said while not all ducks were in a row quite yet, the class should be able to start building this fall.
In other news:
— The board presented an award to president Rex Savage for 12 years of service in that position. Savage served for a total of 16 years on the board.
Current board members showed their appreciation for Savage's service during closing comments.
Dwayne Kirkpatrick will take Savage's place on the board, and a new president will be elected.
— The board hired Carol Furgusen as part-time English teacher, Mike Jeffrey as custodian, Phoebe Janzen as cheer sponsor, Autumn Priddy as assistant volleyball coach, and Judy Versch as seminar supervisor.
— The board accepted the resignation of Anita Brookens as district accompanist and Tracey Long as Marion High School cheer sponsor.
— Greg Tice, architect for the USD 408 building project, presented to the board three options for chairs in the auditorium.
The board chose a sleeker, modern-looking chair with a blue cushion on the seat and back.
The chair also makes the least amount of noise when a person leaves the seat, allowing for less commotion during a performance.
— MHS track coach Grant Thierolf and golf coach Rex Ostmeyer talked with the board and public about the accomplishments of their respective teams this spring at the state level.
— The board accepted the MHS student handbook and the district calendar for the 2007-08 school year.
The first day of school will be Aug. 16 for all students, and May 22 will be the final day of school for non-seniors.
— Four members of the Marion-Florence FFA asked and received permission to attend an annual retreat Aug. 4-9 in Colorado.
The board will help with funding the trip by supplying money for gas, a female sponsor, and a deposit for both the male and female sponsors.
— The board approved a 12:30 p.m. June 28 date for its special end-of-the-year meeting. Balance transfers and the budget will be discussed.
