Posted: 7/25/06
Football club wants signs, fan area on field
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Two decisions regarding signs and fans on the Caledonia High School football field were tabled at last weekís school board meeting.
The Caledonia Touchdown Club brought the proposals to the board on July 16.
The sign idea, which was also raised last year, is to have banners listing business names placed on the fence around the field prior to the games. The board will make a decision on it at the August 21 meeting.
Board members unanimously turned down a similar request for signs at the field in May of 2005. They felt they would have an inconsistent policy if banners were allowed in the field and not the gymnasium, and that that in turn would benefit the football program only and not the other sports. There were also questions about what the banners would look like.
Supporters felt it would be a way to recognize and thank their sponsors who are helping the football program.
Scott Selness brought the fans-on-the-field idea to the board. He would like to see a roped-off area for fans closer to the field from the 25 yard line around the south end zone, so that fans could get more of a feel for the game. Other local teams do this, he told The Argus on July 18.
Selness said he has a petition which 300 people have signed supporting it. ìThe people are asking for it, basically,î he said.
The board has concerns about protection of the track, who would be involved with crowd control, and whether it would block the view for people standing behind the fence as they do now, board member Charlie Wray said on July 18.
The board will meet with proponents of the idea at the field at 6:30 p.m. prior to the August meeting to get an idea of what it would look like.
Miller stepping down
Glenda Miller, high school administrative assistant, is stepping down after 37 years. Her last day is July 31. The school board accepted her resignation. The board also accepted Alan Schmitzís resignation as junior high wrestling coach.
Several other personnel items were approved:
ï A long term substitute contract has been offered to Howard Medin for Tina Fruechte on about October 13, 2006. Fruechte is taking a maternity leave. Medin will be paid $174.94 per day.
ï New contracts were offered to Todd Rowekamp as middle/high school counselor at an annual salary of $48,845.90; and to Kris Ballard as full-time middle/high school janitor. Support staff is currently under negotiations at this time for the 2006-2007 school year, so Ballardís hourly wage was not listed. He currently is being paid $9.11 per hour.
Fall coaching set
The board also approved fall coaching contracts. The only changes from last year are Peggy Perry, girlsí soccer junior high coach, and Chris Jandt, boysí soccer assistant coach.
The board also approved the purchase of a 2006 Dodge Caravan from Ellingson Motors for $15,750.
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