(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Board of Education has approved a one-year cooperative agreement with Doniphan West for middle school wrestling.

The approval came during the Board’s regular meeting last week.

Middle School Athletic Director Ben Kettler said the agreement will give Hiawatha 7th and 8th grade students access to a wrestling program.   

He said Doniphan West numbers are down.

For the trial season, there will be no coaching or transportation costs to Hiawatha, through athletes would have to find transportation to Highland for practices.

All wrestlers will wear Doniphan West uniforms and compete for Doniphan West, with the season running from October 10th to November 18th.

In other business, the Board accepted a bid from Hi-Tech Interiors for the replacement of the high school auditorium ceiling along with an addition of the drywall ceiling above the stage for a total cost of $153,600.

The auditorium ceiling will be replaced with two-foot square acoustic tiles.

The Board also accepted a bid from IAO Electric, of rural Hiawatha, for the replacement of the auditorium lighting for a cost of just over $4,300.

Board member Ian Schuetz cast the lone no vote, voicing concern about accepting the lone bid for ceiling replacement project.  Board member Keith Erdley was not present at the meeting.