Commission appoints new Superintendent of Schools

The Hill County Commission’s considered a number of issues at its business meeting last Thursday, including the appointment of a new superintendent of schools, a hearing on a road abandonment and the eventual receipt of a grant to improve election administration in the county.

Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson nominated Lorren Schlotfelt to be superintendent of schools to replace Marie Deegan who did not run for reelection in 2020.

Hill County Commissioner Diane McLean and Peterson both said the decision between Schlotrelt and the other applicant they interviewed was extremely difficult as both were highly qualified.

“This is one of the hardest decisions between two people,” McLean said.

The commission approved the nomination 2-0 with Hill County Commissioner Mike Wendland abstaining due to his absence for both candidates interviews.

The commission also held a hearing about a potential road abandonment where they took into account the objection of a couple who said the abandonment would cause access problems for their property.

The people discussing the issue did not give their names.

No decision was made regarding the abandonment.

At the meeting Hill County Clerk and Recorder Sue Armstrong also announced that a $260,000 grant had been preliminarily awarded to the county by the Center for Tech and Civil Life to support the administration of safe and secure elections in the years to come.

The commission also unanimously approved a boundary relocation certificate of survey for resident Phil Moen.