(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Baseball and Softball Club met with the USD 415 Board of Education Monday night to provide an update on the Noble Park softball field project and to request financial assistance.
Club member Troy Kolb told the board construction began last April, after completion of the Robinson Center in 2023.  While weather delays slowed progress, Kolb said the new field is expected to be ready for use next month.
Kolb explained the club raises about 60-thousand dollars each year through fundraising efforts. He said they are currently short about 418-thousand dollars and are facing 258-thousand dollars in bills in the next 60 days.  He asked the district to consider providing financial support, noting the new field would benefit both students and the broader community.
Board members and district administrators agreed to continue the discussion at a future meeting.
In other business, the board approved the school calendar for the upcoming year. Classes will begin August 19th and conclude May 20th.
The board also approved the purchase of new high school football uniforms at a total cost of over nineteen-thousand dollars.

Additionally, board members approved a standalone wrestling program at the high school beginning next school year. Middle school students will continue participating in a wrestling cooperative with other schools.
Following an executive session, the board accepted several resignations, including Hiawatha Middle School Head Coach Zach Nelson, High School Assistant Football Coach Chris Diller, Middle School Social Studies Teacher Travis Hampl, and Elementary School Paraprofessional Kaitlyn McCullick.
The board also approved several new hires: Daspin Bruning as Assistant Track Coach at Hiawatha High School, Sarah Davis as High School Spanish Teacher, Rebecca Leitch as School Nurse serving both the middle and high schools, and Jacob Hrencher as Fifth Grade Science Teacher at Hiawatha Middle School.