School board finishes out fiscal year

The Hill City School District Board of Education met for the last time of the fiscal year last Monday where they celebrated student athletic achievements, discussed changes in coaching staff and announced the upcoming budget hearing. 

Superintendent Blake Gardner congratulated the track and golf teams on their performances at their respective state competitions. 

The track team had 61 participants during this year’s track season with about 30 kids competing at the state meet.

“I think that is an example of the trend of our programs and the vibe of our school,” said Gardner. “The fact that there were that many kids participating, representing our schools, representing our community, was fantastic.”

The boys team finished third at the state meet, highlighted by senior Tate Grabow winning three individual championships and getting named as the state track MVP. The girls team finished eleventh.

“It was just a really great state track meet,” said Gardner. 

Joe Noyes submitted his official resignation as head track coach following the state meet in order to focus on his family. 

“He’s doing it for the right reasons,” said board member Todd Grabow. 

Grabow highlighted some of Noyes’ achievements during his 12 years coaching the track team, including 101 individual state medals, eight state relay championships and two teams with podium finishes. 

“The real aspect of what they brought is what they gave the community and the kids,” said Grabow.

The golf team also received recognition for their fourth place team finish. 

“We were just three shots from second, so we were in the hunt,” said Gardner. 

Coach Josh Daiss was also voted the Region 6B coach of the year.

“They represent our school and community in a really positive way and that makes you really proud,” said Gardner.

During the public participation portion of the meeting, volunteer Rick Brandfas gave a report on the usage of the fitness center. Throughout the year, 43 high school kids utilized the fitness center, split evenly between males and females.

Maintenance director TJ Schmidt gave a report on the school’s summer projects such as repaving the parking lot, finishing the fence on Railroad Avenue, and continuing the flooring that is in front of the Smokey shack down the hall, connecting the two gyms.

“So everything will match and look nice and new,” said Schmidt.

The district now has a new food service manager in Louis Patel as well as a new food service director in Toni Winn but are still looking for a cook for the school year. 

There will be a budget hearing for the school year 2026-2027 at the next board meeting July 13 at 6 p.m. in the high school board room 202.