HURON — The Huron School District Foundation Board held its first meeting Monday afternoon, Supt. Kraig Steinhoff announced at Monday night’s School Board meeting.

“I’m excited we’ve got the inaugural meeting under our belt,” Steinhoff said. “This is a foundation that will live on forever, beyond all of us that are doing this work.”

Steinhoff said the foundation was launched using the $1,000 award presented to the board by the ASBSD as seed money.

“This will help the Huron school and community for decades and decades and decades,” he said.

Foundation officers are Brad McGirr, president; Terry Nebelsick, vice president; and School Board member Garret Bischoff, secretary-treasurer; along with nine board members.

“We’ve talked about a Donor Wall,” Bischoff said. “There’s a lot of work to do before we get fundraising and get the ball rolling, but we’re excited about what the Foundation could be. We’re amazed how many want to be part of it.”

Bischoff said no bids were received on Nov. 15 for the Tiger Activity Center ceiling project. The current insulation liner is flaking off due to water condensation damage from prior years. If a contractor can address the problem for less than $100,000, they will negotiate a price and proceed. If the cost is expected to exceed $100,000, they will need to rebid the ceiling liner replacement, Bischoff said.

“The furnaces in the corner of the TAC are direct-fire furnaces that blow out of big pipes,” Bischoff said. “All of that moisture is being exhausted into the building and it was too much humidity.”

Bischoff said the exhaust fans located on the roof were not working properly for a period of time as well.

The Board accepted a bid for $360,009 from Curt’s Heating & Cooling was accepted for the TAC air conditioning project.

“As part of the AC project, those old direct-fire furnaces are being replaced with internal combustion furnaces,” Bischoff said.

A Memorandum of Understanding was approved between Our Home and the Huron Public Schools, that establishes a temporary shelter at the TAC in the event of an emergency and Our Home becomes displaced.

This agreement is renewed annually.

Steinhoff extended congratulations to senior Bryn Huber, who set a AA State Volleyball record with 93 digs in 11 sets played for an average of 8.45 per set. The previous record was set in 2015; and Jeff Duffy, “The Voice o f the Huron Tigers” for receiving the Friend of Volleyball at the 2022 AA State Volleyball Tournament from the S.D. Volleyball Coaches Association.

Shelly Buddenhagen, former head volleyball coach in Huron, was recognized for being inducted into the S.D. Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Congratulations were extended to Elliott DeVries and Quinston Luellman Clark, both high school seniors, for AA All State Honorable Mention Running Back.

Peggy Spencer was thanked for the donation of various clothing items to the Buchanan K-1 Center, and Sarah May from Modern Woodmen for making a generous donation to the Madison 2-3 Center playground.

Madison Vaudrin, para educator at the Buchanan K-1 Center, has been chosen as Classified Employee of the Month for November. Presenting the award were Peggy Heinz and Ralyna Schilling.

In the Good News Report, the entire kindergarten staff at Buchanan K-1 Center spoke about the annual Kinderegarten Feast that was started 40 years ago. The students make butter in the classroom using a butter churn or shaking heavy cream for the feast, which includes fruit, popcorn and milk.

The Board also accepted 1 resignation and approved five new hires.

Dates to remember:
Dec. 2 —Special Education Day
Dec. 7 — Early release
Dec. 12 — Board of Education meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 23-31 — Holiday break, no school