School board discusses use of new fitness center

The Hayward Community Schools Board of Education at their Monday June 3 meeting discussed what rules the school district might have for community use of the new Tamarack Health Fitness Center at the high school.

Community education coordinator Meredith Ingbretson said she has received survey responses from 355 Tamarack Health and Hayward Community Schools staff on what they would use in the new fitness center.

Sixty-five percent said they would use the facility. The most popular facilities for what people would like to use are the walking track and cardio equipment.

Board member Mike Kelsey said not many elderly people responded to the survey; he thinks they would like to use the facilities during the daytime.

The fitness center will open to student athletes and their coaches on July 8 and to the general public in September.

Supt. Craig Olson said staff are recommending that students and the general public use the facility at separate times, for safety and management reasons. Currently student athletes use the weight rooms in the early mornings and in the afternoons after school. To be open for kids under 18 years of age, a supervisor must be present.

Groups such as youth basketball leagues who use the gyms during non-school times provide a certificate of insurance and have their own coaches.

Non-student Fitness Center users will be charged a membership fee and will be able to use the weight room etc. at times when students are not using them.

In actions Monday, the board:

1) Approved a change order for the Intermediate School construction, enabling a new sign to be constructed in front of the building, and new bleachers to be added in the gym

2) Accepted the resignations of Julie Thompson-Czub as the chapter advisor for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Ben DiSera as fall weight room coach.

3) Approved the transfer of Mara Werner to 4K wrap-around lead teacher.

4) Voted to hire Emily Stark as spring afternoon weight room strength coach, and Jamie Vogt as primary school special education teacher.

The school district will hold a ribbon cutting/grand opening on Sept. 30 or Oct. 7 for the newly-constructed building renovations and additions pursuant to the referendum passed by voters two years ago.

Supt. Olson said a garage sale is planned on two Mondays in late July or early August.

Olson said he has two anchor sponsor commitments for new scoreboards.

Stacey Clapero, coordinator of the before and after school programs, said this past year the programs registered 57 families in the morning and 57 in the afternoon, and had a wait list of 68 students who the program was unable to serve due to a lack of staff.

Clapero said they are planning to charge a fee for the programs in 2024-25: $5 per student in the morning and $10 per student in the afternoon. There is a one-time $25 registration fee per student, with a maximum of $50 per family. So far, 110 students have registered.

The program is drawing down a grant, which will be used to purchase supplies and software, Clapero said.

Clapero said additional staff will be hired. “It is a very needed program,” said Intermediate School Principal Ronda Lee.

Curriculum coordinator Kelly Ryder said they are not adding any new curriculum this fall.

Supt. Olson said that “We will continue to focus on things we do well.”