Area students will finally get their hands on a home remodel project in the next few weeks, after about two years of waiting.
Don Settlemyer, instructor for the construction trades class at the Regional Rural Technical Center at LaHarpe, told USD 257 board members the house is nearly ready for students to start working on it.
The district bought the older, two-story house about two years ago, moving it from its lot near the Bowlus Fine Arts Center to a spot next to Iola Middle School.
The goal is to allow construction trades students to remodel the home, teaching them valuable skills they will need either to enter the construction industry or make repairs to their own properties some day.
It’s taken a little longer than expected.
Students have limited time to work on the project, as they have just two-to-three hours per day for the class. The class also has other projects, including work on restrooms at the RRTC after it added an automotive technology program.
The district hired a demolition crew to get the house ready for students to do the remodel work. That work has been completed.
“The house is all gutted and cleaned up and ready to start,” Settlemyer said. “They’re excited about it.”
Settlemyer plans to replace all the windows of the home, and said the upstairs has hardwood floors that can be refinished but the downstairs will need either carpet or laminate flooring. He also plans to have students build custom cabinets.
Over the summer, he obtained a special teaching certification so his students can qualify for a national database that shows potential employers what skills they have learned if they seek a job in the construction industry. 
New leadership
The USD 257 school board entered a new era on Monday with a change in leadership.
Jennifer Taylor took over as school board president and Dan Willis, who has served in that role for 5½ years, stepped into the role of vice president.
Willis led the district through a $35 million school bond issue that built a new elementary school, a science center at Iola High School and new HVAC systems at the middle school. It was the first new school building in more than 70 years.
The board praised Willis for his leadership through the school bond issue and the building of the new facilities.
“Thank you for what you did,” board member Tony Leavitt said. “I truly believe that elementary school wouldn’t be out there if it wasn’t for you and your hard work.”
