“It’s been a lot of work to get where we are, which myself and others in the district are happy about, but we will have work to do to get where we want to be,” he said.

“Our buildings and the district registered ‘commendable’ on a recent Iowa School Report card,” he added. “We’re all very proud of that. It shows we’re meeting student needs. Not everyone gets a rating like that, so there is reason for excitement.”

Hemiller noted several projects underway across East Sac County’s district. Those included parking lot lighting, new classroom doors, and renovations at the high school, and a district activity bus that arrives in the spring.

“It doesn’t stop there, though,” he said. “We have several things on our radar. We want to do some renovation work at the elementary school in Sac City this summer to help bring back transitional kindergarten. That will allow families an option between preschool and kindergarten.

-Submitted photo
This classroom at East Sac High School was recently renovated.

“We also have a long-range goal of examining the elementary school parking and traffic flow situation,” he added. “That and some adequate drainage and resurfacing in the same area will take a few years, but we’re looking at it.”

Hemiller sees a bright future beyond facility upgrades, too.

“Enrollment is down 15 from last year, but considering what other districts are going through, that’s not too bad,” he said. “The good news is 52 kids are in preschool, which will do a lot for future class sizes.”