Cornell School Board; Advertising could be the way to go to fund projects

Sitting in the rotunda of the Cornell Elementary School, is a large supply of COVID tests, free to anyone who needs them. By keeping one or more on-hand at home, parents/community members can get quick, easy answers about that “cold” that’s plaguing them. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

It might be an unusual request, but could be beneficial for the Cornell School District and for Dan Ortmann, of American Family Insurance out of Ladysmith. Ortmann, who covers this area, asked that the district consider allowing him to put up advertising on the back of the high school’s football and baseball scoreboards.

“He would set it all up, he would have it constructed, put up, he would maintain it,” said middle/high school principal Craig Braaten at a school board meeting Aug. 28.

In exchange for the service, Ortmann would pay a fee for having the advertisements in place.

“He pays for that service up in Ladysmith… we’re not making anything on it right now,” said Braaten.

Currently, the district has no policy on whether or not to allow that, so the administration is all for it, pending board approval.

“But, it seems like a fair price,” said superintendent Paul Schley.

Schley said it would be nice to get some extra bleachers – and maybe replace the old wooden baseball ones with some nice aluminum ones, then move them the short distance for football. Braaten pointed out that the eight-man football conference is looking to realign next year, so Cornell will have teams come to the games that aren’t so far away and will need the space for seating.

Eileen Sikora, board clerk, asked how much bleachers cost. Schley said the last time they looked into the cost of the freestanding structure, a 10-row bleacher set was $38,000, but he’s not sure of the length or if the price has increased.

“They’re not cheap, but they’re doable,” he said.

With a year or more of wait time to get the new bleachers, the board gave permission for Schley and Braaten to look into a comparable size, and get the ball rolling.

Members also approved the resignation of district administrative assistant Nikki Viegut.

They also approved the hire of district administrative assistant Kat Westcott; assistant high school volleyball coach Alexia Glaus; head girls basketball coach Stacy Schroeder; assistant high school girls basketball coach Crystal Bowe; and head boys basketball coach Jon Hetke.