Baseball field getting lights
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
The MFL MarMac baseball team can anticipate some night games in the future. Lights for the baseball field are expected to be up and running in late-May or early-June, said superintendent Dale Crozier at the Feb. 13 school board meeting.
The new lights were just one of several projects discussed. Crozier said planning is also underway for some space improvements at the elementary school, including expanded bathrooms, the addition of a conference room and remodeling of the office. The latter would not only create more space, but also be more aesthetically pleasing, he said.
“It’s a small project,” Crozier noted, “but a little space will make a huge difference.”
Space, or lack of it, for sports practices has also been a topic of discussion at MFL MarMac. Crozier said a facilities committee has been formed to look into ideas for a sports complex. To date, the group has only met once.
Such a project, he said, if supported, would not happen for several years, but he felt it was a good idea to start talking about it now.
“It will take some explaining,” he said, as people question the suitability of constructing a new building with declining enrollment. “We’ve done it before,” he stated, adding that he feels the district is in a good position.
If the project is approved, it might also be a good time to move grades seven and eight from the McGregor Center to Monona, Crozier said.
“It would be more efficient, and we could get away with a few less teachers,” he said. Although it would come from different funds, “four teachers (worth $2.5 million) would pay for a gym in 10 years.”
A new gym could also help attract families to the district.
“Our facilities would have everything,” he said, referencing both sports and fine arts.
Donation
MFL MarMac has received a $1,000 donation from Norplex. Crozier said the funds will go toward STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities at the elementary school.
“Norplex has been good to us and all area schools,” Crozier said. “Every year, they give us $1,000.”
Swimming
MFL MarMac will continue its cooperative sharing agreement for swimming with Decorah next year. Crozier said no MFL MarMac students participated in swimming this year, but several have in the past. The cost per swimmer, he noted, is $300.