LCS board hears request to sell Camp Quest property

Clark Goodchild asked the board to consider selling the property known as Camp Quest for several reasons.

As he has passed by the property in the last few years, Goodchild said he sees it "as one big liability," referring to the terrain and condition of the facilities.

For a number of years, the property was used by Le Mars Community Schools science students as a summer camp run by junior high science teacher Tom Bohan.

Goodchild said he had participated in the camping activities during his years at LCS.

Goodchild, a 1979 LCS graduate, said he was also in the first fifth grade class at Kluckhohn Elementary, which assisted teacher Tom DeKoster in planting the wildlife area south of that school building and using that area for teaching.

He suggests using proceeds from the sale of the Camp Quest property to promote the study of wildlife and conservation.

He further suggested that perhaps some of the money could be used to help Plymouth County build the Education Conservation Opportunities (ECO) Center at Hillview Park in rural Hinton.

Goodchild, a real estate broker, told the board he was not coming to seek a real estate listing but rather to present a new idea to the board and generate discussion.

Board members thanked Goodchild for his comments, adding as the item was not on the agenda they would not comment on it.

Boys bowling

Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt told board members the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has sanctioned boys' bowling for the 2009-10 school year.

A boys bowling team from Le Mars Community High School currently competes during the season, representing the school, but it is not a sanctioned sport.

The district currently has a sanctioned girls bowling team, coached by Deb Swift. Bowling as a girls sport is sanctioned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and the board approved that team.

At that time, the board indicated that if and when boys bowling was sanctioned by the IHSAA, it would consider a team for the school.

Wendt indicated there may be some added transportation costs, such as using a bus rather than a suburban-type vehicle to transport the teams, as the boys and girls usually compete on the same day.

He also indicated Swift would be willing to coach both the girls and boys at no additional cost. A parent has also expressed interest in getting a coaching endorsement and being a volunteer coach, Wendt said.

Wendt indicated he would put together more detailed information on the number of boys and girls participating, coaching and transportation costs following a request from board member Patrick Murphy.

"There is a positive correlation between involvement in activities and student achievement," Wendt told the board. "We do get students involved here who are not involved other activities."

Wendt was directed to place the item on the next board meeting agenda for action.

School board election

Three LCS board members are up for re-election in September.

The three members whose terms expire are Cris Collins (District 2), Brenda Phelan (District 4) and Leon Scott (District 1).

Nomination papers are currently available for candidates to circulate for signatures.

The first date a candidate can file nomination petitions with the secretary of the school board is Monday, July 5. The last day to file nomination papers is 5 p.m. Thursday, July 30.

Candidates need at least 50 signatures on their nomination petitions this year, Wendt said.