Hawks continue work on improvement plans

As final elements are added to the new weight room and fitness area at Colman-Egan School, board members are preparing to discuss what community access to the space could look like. A proposed policy outlining that use is on the agenda for this weeks regularly scheduled school board meeting.
The room is steadily filling with new equipment and free weights, and student-athletes have already been working out there for several weeks. For now, students are only allowed in when supervised as part of a team.
Administrators and board members have been reviewing policies from surrounding districts to determine what might best serve both the community and the students who rely on the space. Early discussions suggest the policy could include age requirements (18 and older), residency or taxpayer status within the district, a set fee per user or family, and defined hours of availability. More on the proposal and what it could mean for a healthier community in a future edition.
The board is also scheduled to take up the results of the recently completed athletic complex survey and continue discussions Monday night on a potential land purchase and the hiring of an architectural and engineering firm to design a new athletic complex, should the project move forward.
The land under consideration sits just east of the current school campus, behind the homes along the eastern edge of town and west of the slough. The main entrance would be off Highway 34, which means changes to that stretch of road including the speed limit may be coming if the project advances.
County commissioners last week approved the platting of the land, following state approval. While survey responses were largely favorable toward the proposed multi-million-dollar complex, some respondents said they want more information before offering full support particularly as questions linger about the impact on taxpayers, especially with the possible dissolution of the Oldham-Ramona-Rutland School District next month and what financial responsibilities a growing district may face.
More on both developing stories in next weeks edition.