School Board hears presentation on Southtown development project

Posted

HURON — The Huron School Board meeting was held Monday evening at the Huron Event Center. A presentation was heard supporting the Wheatgrass Village Apartment and Townhome Complex, where a committee member from “Yes For Huron” gave the presentation in support of the rezoning in the upcoming vote, to clarify facts with the public about the project. A brief history of the Southtown area was given, an explanation of the property and the project objectives were heard, and an explanation of the financing for the project, which is financed by a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, which means there is a funding mechanism in place to allow no cost for the city or tax payers for the development to take place. Five members of the board gave comments of their support for the Wheatgrass Village Apartment and Townhome Complex,
T. Vanberkum comments, “It would be great to have these properties back on the tax roles and it is a needed facility.”
“I thought it was important to note that currently there are no taxes being paid on the property and if it starts getting development it will go on the tax roles and the school, county, and city will start getting some taxes off of those properties,” G. Bischoff said. The board approved the resolution and showed support for the development project.
A donation was made to the FFA program, a $500 cheque was presented to Mr. Postma and the Huron Public Schools FFA program, by a representative of the Sabers family.

Superintendent Terry Nebelsick congratulated the Huron Middle School Destination Imagination team for being awarded a $2,000 grant from the Huron Community Foundation, to Trent Francom for setting a new school record in pole vault, which was 15-feet 6-inches, at both the track meet in Pierre on April 21, and achieved the same height again at the Howard Wood Track Meet on Saturday, May 6.
“That is the fourth best jump in the history of South Dakota track,” Nebelsick said.
Thank you was extended to the Huron American Legion Auxiliary and Huron Community Foundation for donating Student Dictionaries to all third graders in the district, and the Huron Parks and Recreation Department for the Abor Day presentation and for giving each third grade student a tree to take home and plant for the past 32 years.
In the Superintendent’s report, Nebelsick gave a thank you to all who will be involved in the Employee Recognition Banquet, which will take place this Wednesday evening. It is noted that this is teacher appreciation week. “It’s a special week in the Huron School District,” Nebelsick stated.
Business Manager, Kelly Christopherson gave a report on the Five Year Capital Outlay Fund, and a presentation of the Preliminary Budget for 2017-2018 was heard as an introduction and will be followed up with a hearing at the first board meeting in June.  
The board also approved three new hires, one contract, and one resignation at the school district.