Mustang spirit was on full display at Monday night’s USD 257 school board meeting.
The board met at Iola High School’s new science center and cafeteria, where Principal Scott Carson showed off a new audio/visual system.
Iola Elementary School kindergarten and second grade students demonstrated the new music skills they are learning.
But at the end of the night, the underdog Iola Middle School — the district’s “dark horses,” if you will — took home the award for “Most School Spirit.”
It was all in good fun, of course, as school board members joked with administrators about the middle school’s efforts over the past year to brighten the building. It started last spring with colorful window coverings with the IMS and Mustang logos, along with an electronic message board in front of the school.
Granted, the high school and elementary schools got brand new buildings in the 2019 school bond issue. The middle school got a new HVAC system — an important upgrade, but not as visually exciting.
At Monday’s meeting, the board approved spending $2,865 for IMS Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Jason Coke to purchase several recognition boards for the gymnasium. The total cost is $5,165, but some of the money will come from a golf tournament fundraiser hosted by the school.
The boards will include a large, circular board that will display logos from all schools in the Pioneer League.
Other boards will recognize when the school wins league competitions. Initially, Coke and the board wanted to include not just sports but Scholars Bowl and music; however, they learned the music contests don’t have a league championship, so they’ll think of another way of recognition.
Plans also call for boards just outside the gym that will show records for track students, both girls and boys in seventh and eight grades.
The challenge now is tracking down records and league championships. Coke said it hasn’t been as easy as one might expect. He’s been looking through old yearbooks and newspaper archives, and will probably just go back to the year 2000.
THE BILLS FOR the middle and high school bond projects have been fully paid, board president Dan Willis said.
All aspects of the science building have now been completed, although work continues on a new parking lot next to the building.
The HVAC system at the middle school still needs some adjustments, which means the warranty period hasn’t started yet and there have been no additional charges for any repairs.
A few “punch list” items remain at the elementary school. Crews with Coonrod & Associates are likely to remain at IES through Thanksgiving and perhaps beyond, Willis said.
