By Jolene Farley
At Monday's Hills-Beaver Creek School Board meeting Superintendent Dave Deragisch informed the board of extensive damage to both the high school and elementary computer networks caused by a lightning strike.
The strike occurred Monday, Aug. 12, to the water tower in Hills. The voltage traveled to the high school in Hills and through Internet lines to the elementary school in Beaver Creek.
"Just about every piece of equipment has either been replaced or needs to be replaced," said Deragisch.
Roger Jackson, who had the computer network ready for school to begin, is now working on repairing the damages.
Internet service has been down at both schools since the lightning strike.
Representatives of the district's insurance company were surprised by the extent of the damage. "They had never seen damage from a lightning strike like we had here," said Deragisch.
Officials hope the system will be operational by the first day of school on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
"Hopefully, we'll be limping by the time school starts," said Deragisch.
In personnel mattters
Cindy Larson has agreed to move from Title 1 instructor and physical education instructor to the Little Patriots position vacated by Angie Blasmo.
Chris Louwagie will move from fifth and sixth-grade computer instructor to the Title 1 position and teach physical education class.
The board hired Dale Huber as a special education paraprofessional at $10.75 per hour.
In other board business
At 6:50 a.m. beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, Deragisch will host the Patriot Pride radio show on KQAD sponsored by the Exchange State Bank in Hills.
The district purchased a 1997 Dodge van with 112,000 miles for $5,500 to transport lunch from the high school to the elementary school.