Stappert is named as new Transportation Director at HNS

HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board approved some routine policies Monday and named a new Transportation Director at its August meeting here.

The Board held public hearings for American civic engagement, student fees, parental involvement and bullying. The policies have been in place at the school for many years, now. The Board decided no changes needed to be made to any of them again this year.

The Board also agreed to name Cody Stappert as the District’s Transportation Director. Stappert is taking over for long-time Director Russ Flamig, who decided to retire from the position.

The Transportation Director is responsible for setting up and adjusting the school’s seven bus routes and for coordinating drivers for those routes.

The Board also reviewed the student handbooks for the new school year.

Jackie Loecker will continue as the school nurse, the Board decided. The school will continue to share her services with Bloomfield Community Schools with each school receiving her services two days a week.

The Board also approved a transfer of $50,000 from the general account to the activities account, an action they take every year at this time.

Supt. A.J. Johnson updated the Board about the final pieces needed to complete the new addition. The concrete for the playground has been poured and the elementary school will be able to use the new playground when school begins later this week, he said. Fencing around the playground area still needs to be installed, however, he added.

Johnson said the work to install new carpet in the high school has also been completed.

A few minor repairs or fixes need to be made in the new addition, he said. One door needs to be replaced because it was damaged, even though it is still usable. Curtains for the stage have not been completely installed, yet, but that should happen in the next few weeks, he said.

The next Hartington-Newcastle School Board meeting is slated for Sept. 15 at 5:15 p.m. That meeting will also feature the annual budget hearing.

The budget, Johnson said, is still a work in progress because the valuations for Cedar and Dixon county have not been posted.