The Dec. 2 meeting of the Greenwood County Historical Society board was called to order by President Mike Pitko.
Those present were John Bills, Dusty Booth, Taylor Hunt, Dana Mills (by phone), Pitko, Rise Russin, Stan Skaer and Museum Director Robin Himes.
MINUTES
The minutes of the Oct. 7 board meeting were read. Mills’s name was added to the list of board members present at the Oct. 7 meeting. After the correction was made, Skaer moved to accept the minutes. Hunt seconded the motion and the motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT Pitko shared an update on the Claycomb account with expenses that would be taken out to pay for the steps and landing and the roof that have both been completed.
He also shared that fourth quarter payments on CDs will be coming into the museum this month and the interest rates on these have dropped. Bills asked if the expiration dates on the CDs can be added to financial documents so that the museum will know to expect a change in the amounts coming back to the museum.
Pitko directed board member’s attention to the total investments line item and asked about using some of the funds recorded there to finish the interior of the school. This is a decision that won’t need to be made until the February board meeting.
Bills had a question about the difference between investments that went down and dividends that had gone up. This was on page 2 of the October Profit and Loss page. Mills was able to explain it to his satisfaction.
VISITORS
Visitors for October were five from Kansas. Visitors for November totaled 52 and included those that came for Cattlemen’s Day. (Not everyone who visited the museum that day signed the book.)
Visitors that signed the book for November were from Georgia, Kansas and Colorado.
BILLS
No bills were presented COMMUNICATIONS A letter of resignation from Kent Olson was shared with the board. A motion to accept his resignation was accepted unanimously. OLD BUSINESS
Update on Claycomb School Board members toured the building before the meeting was called to order.
Discussion included the condition of the floor and possible plans to deal with it; work that was done to remove lath and plaster; wainscoting that was originally in the interior.
When the meeting was called to order and old business was brought up more discussion was held.
This included that work on the interior would likely start in mid- to late-March.
There is a contributor who will be donating to help with the completion of the work that needs to be done.
Skaer commented that a decision needs to be made on what to do with the floor before sheet rocking is done.
Mills voiced the opinion that the museum needs to preserve as much of the original as possible instead of completely replacing.
Booth shared that new flooring in the original style can still be purchased.
Hunt asked about the condition of the floor joists. Pitko will have Mark Hayes look into this and have an answer at a later date, but before work progresses.
The museum will close on Dec. 12 at the end of the day, and will reopen on Feb. 2, 2026. Himes and Kim Gorman will come in once a week while the musuem is closed to check email and phone messages.
Volume II of the history books Mills is still pursuing options. Decisions will be made in the new year.
Discussion about the current cost of the books followed with a motion from Skaer to raise the price of Volume I from the current price of $25 a copy to $40. Booth seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Mills will need a copy of Volume II to make scans from.
NEW BUSINESS
Hunt asked if there was interest in obtaining the header from the Souder Building that will be torn down to make way for the new fire station. Discussion was held about other architectural elements that are on display behind the museum.
Hunt will check with Heather Fuesz to see if the Historical Preservation Society is interested in having the header; if not the museum will pursue getting it for the museum.
Elections of the current executive board and one new director were held. Mills moved that the museum invite Greg Rawlings to join the Historical Society board and Bills seconded the motion. Bills made a motion to retain the officers and directors on the ballot. Booth seconded the motion and the motion passed. Booth will visit with Rawlings.
There is an open position on the board following Olson’s resignation. This will be filled at a later date.
The treasurer’s position will remain vacant as well, with possible decisions about this at the February board meeting.
Insurance for the museum was the next item for discussion. Pitko shared the increase in premium for insurance through the current company. After much discussion, Hunt made a motion to switch to the new insurance company and to set up a deductible account. Bills seconded the motion and the motion passed.
The next board meeting will be Feb. 3, 2026.
The meeting was adjourned.
