HOUSTON — The Hardin-Houston Local School District is enjoying its fifth full year in our K-12 facility.
“We are pleased with our student’s academic growth over this last school year and will look forward to improving on the district’s annual Report Card,” said Superintendent Larry Claypool. “Along with excellent academic instruction, FCCLA, FFA, and multiple athletic team opportunities, the district continues to provide a well-rounded environment for all students to succeed in whatever areas they select.”
His report continues:
This fall’s Spelling Bee’s winners were champion, Mariah Booher and second place Grace Koenig. Gustav Gothberg won the Geography Bee and Collin Walker was awarded second place honors. The District continues to celebrate “All A’s Night” for those students in grades 3 through 6 who receive all A’s for the first semester of the school year and are introduced and honored at one of the final home varsity boys basketball games of the season.
Fiscally speaking, the district remains financially stable. Our school district has been proactive in its financial planning. Adjustments have been made to both staff and purchases, and we continue to evaluate our financial position throughout the school year. We are pleased that Hardin-Houston has maintained a positive student open enrollment for the last 5 years. Our $7,659 cost to educate one student ranks among the lowest public schools in the state. Our staff, administrative team, and Board Of Education, wish to thank every parent and student for making Hardin-Houston their school of choice.
Regarding building and grounds, the District completed several facility projects in both the athletic and technology area this last year. Over the summer, the District completed two major projects. The installation of a new HVAC system for the large athletic vestibule and competition gymnasium area and second, the installation of a newly designed virtual server for the District’s Technology Department. In order to enhance our FFA agricultural program, plans were put into place to establish a first-ever greenhouse for the District. Thanks to local farmers and businesses who rallied around this goal, several grants became a reality. Those grants and gifts came from Monsanto, Cargill Corp, and Fertilizer Dealer Supply. Our new greenhouse will become a reality in May/June of 2016.
Hardin-Houston’s athletic teams provide opportunities for both team success and individual recognition. Last spring, 2015 the District produced a League Champion. Softball claimed another SCAL Championship by being co-champs with Fort Loramie. Hannah Trent broke the career home run record with 15 and RBI, 124. Micalah Hensley smashed seven home runs and scored 40 times during the season to break the single season record in both categories. Trent was honored with a Second Team All-State selection and named First Team SCAL. Joining her on the SCAL First Team were teammates Macey Stang, Hensley and Kayla New. Baseball also had a record breaker. Zach Jolly recorded 87 strikeouts which is a single season mark.
In track and field, Houston was represented again by Devon Jester. Devon was First Team SCAL in both the 1600 and 3200 Run. Jester made another appearance at State, qualifying in the 3200. Nick Jones also had an outstanding season while qualifying for the Regional in both the pole vault and discus.
Morgan Ely kept the tradition alive in Houston Cross Country. Morgan ran to a First Team SCAL spot and topped that off by running in the Regional meet. The boy’s team of Azen Reier, Troy Riley, Tristen Freistuhler, Nathan Knouff, Parker Cox and Jacob Slater gritted out a 13th place finish in the Regionals.
Volleyball bumped their way to a Sectional Finals game. Jenna Winner and Jenna Mounts had outstanding performances. Winner was selected to the Second Team SCAL and Honorable Mention District; while Mounts was selected to the District’s Second Team.
In closing, Hardin-Houston is truly thankful for the support of our local community members, parents, and booster groups. To succeed, it takes all of us!
