Radon Testing: January 22 - 26

Hinton Middle School/High School and Wellness Center

Student learning and the safety of students, staff, and community are priorities for Hinton CSD. The administration of Hinton CSD is providing you with this notification that the initial radon screening will be conducted January 22 - 26 at the Hinton Middle School/High School and Wellness Center. The testing is not harmful in any way, and there is no need for students, parents, and teachers to do anything special in preparation.

Radon testing is required at least once every five years for all Iowa public school attendance centers, licensed preschools, and licensed child care centers. Radon is naturally occurring everywhere, but if elevated, it can cause an increased risk of lung cancer over the course of a person’s lifetime. Our district has received training and proactively placed all our buildings on a rotating radon test schedule.

To test for radon in the air, kits that look like small envelopes will be used in our learning spaces. It is crucial these kits are not disturbed and that exterior windows and doors are kept closed except for regular entry and exit. The envelopes will be left in place for [5] school days.

The Hinton CSD Radon Team will communicate final radon testing results to the board of education, staff, and the public on our website. If elevated levels during occupied hours are found, steps will be taken to correct the issue using methods suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Last year, we tested the PK-3 Elementary buildings, and our test results came back below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) advised radon action level of 4.0 pCi/L. This means we now have peace of mind that our students, staff, and community are learning in the PK-3 Elementary and are as safe as possible from radon. Testing the 4th - 12th building will help ensure both spaces are as safe as possible.

For most students and staff, research suggests that schools and workplaces are the second largest contributors to radon exposure. The home is likely to be the most significant source of radon exposure. Therefore, parents and staff are encouraged also to test their homes for radon and to take action to reduce elevated concentrations.

If you have further questions regarding radon testing in Hinton CSD, please contact Ken Slater at ken.slater@hintonschool.com.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

March 5 School Special Election

On Tuesday, January 9, the Hinton School Board approved two ballot questions appearing in the March 5 school special election. The first is a Voted PPEL question to continue for ten years past the current term the voted PPEL rate voters approved last November. The second question asks the voters to approve raising the debt levy from $2.70 to $4.05 if a bond referendum is passed. More information will be coming on these two questions.

Voted PPEL

Public Measure Question that will be on the ballot

Shall the Board of Directors of the Hinton Community School District, in the County of Plymouth, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings; purchasing of buildings; purchase, lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses; expenditures for energy conservation; renting facilities under Iowa Code Chapter 28E; purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years to levy and impose a voter-approved physical plant and equipment tax of not exceeding One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34) per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district, and be authorized annually, in combination, as determined by the board, to levy a physical plant and equipment property tax upon all the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and to impose a physical plant and equipment income surtax upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the school district on December 31 for each calendar year commencing with calendar year 2026, or each year thereafter?

Debt Service Levy

Public Measure Question that will be on the ballot.

Shall the Board of Directors of the Hinton Community School District in the County of Plymouth, State of Iowa, be authorized to levy annually a tax exceeding Two Dollars and Seventy Cents ($2.70) per Thousand Dollars ($1,000), but not exceeding Four Dollars and Five Cents ($4.05) per Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed value of the taxable property within said school corporation to pay the principal of and interest on bonded indebtedness of said school corporation, it being understood that the approval of this public measure shall not limit the source of payment of the bonds and interest, but shall only operate to restrict the amount of bonds which may be issued?

Note: This levy would only go into effect if the voters approve a bond referendum. This question can not be asked simultaneously as a bond referendum in even-numbered years. This is an oddity the legislature added last year when they changed the law on how and when school bond referendums could go to the public.

Security and Safety

I can speak on behalf of the staff that our hearts and minds have continued to be with the Perry community since their tragedy. This happening close to home certainly brings school safety and security to the forefront of our minds.

We are thankful for the Governor's School Safety Grant that will reimburse the district for $150,000 of the $200,000 we have spent on upgrades to our surveillance and door access controls at each school building. ($50K per building level PK-3, 4-6, and 7-12)

The Perry tragedy has us reviewing other measures we can take to help ensure the safety of our staff and students. This is a continual process as we review our plan each year.

A single secure entrance is something we need to make happen going forward. This was in the plans for the bond referendum last November. The single secure entrance and new parking would assist us greatly.

Safe2SpeakUp

How can you help share important information with the school? See Something, Say Something. Our students can download the Safe2SpeakUp application or go to our website and click on the Student & Parents/Safe2SpeakUp link.

Parents may also submit information through the links as well. There are links for reporting bullying, drugs and alcohol situations, general tips, or a school threat. The tip could be used to report some positive news too. We love to receive news about things we are doing right.

Missed School Days

We have now missed seven school days: Nov. 1,2 (state volleyball), Jan. 8-9, Jan 12, and Jan 15-16 (Inclement Weather). We will not be making up November 2, and we won't make up January 12. We are making up the other days. As a result, we will have school on three previously scheduled days: Friday, February 16th, Wednesday, March 27th, and Thursday, March 28th. The other two missed dates will be made up on May 22 and May 23. We will update the District Calendar soon, available on the school website.

Virtual School Days:

We are working on implementing virtual school days for the upcoming inclement weather days. The state legislature has recently changed the law regarding virtual days, which permits us to use up to five days or thirty hours to fulfill our mandatory calendar days/hours. The principals have sent out information today on what those days will look like for students. This will help us with future inclement weather days if we have enough lead time.

Thank You, Hinton Times!

On behalf of the school board and staff, I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Donna Hardersen and the Hinton Times Team (Hardersen family) for the ALL IN support and coverage of our students and staff they've provided over the years. Their dedication to portraying our school's stories, achievements, and challenges has kept the community informed and played an integral part in fostering a sense of unity and pride among us.

As we bid farewell to your publication's coverage, we reflect on how it has enriched our school's journey. We will miss your articles and features, but we are grateful for their impact.

We wish you well in your retirement.

With sincere thanks,

Hinton School Board and Staff

Superintendent Slater's Newsletter