School Board To Meet This Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education is scheduled to meet this
evening, and the school board will hear a report from Middle School staff will
present a report regarding the implementation of the Professional Learning
Community principles. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner will present to
the board’s attention the certified student enrollment. Superintendent, Dr. Todd
Wendt will present to the school board three common indicators of financial health
for the school district. The school board will consider setting the salary for
Board Secretary Lisa Boehm for the 2016-2017 school year. The school board will
also look at revising board policy 204.1 which addresses the start time for
regular board meetings. It has been suggested to have the school board meetings
begin earlier than the current start time of 7:30 p.m.
Schools Have Money That They Can’t Utilize
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa school districts are holding more than $145 million
in their accounts, but superintendents say restrictions on that money is making it
hard to spend.
The money in dozens of different funds has grown since 2013 when the total was about $130 million, so school officials are lobbying for more flexibility.
Iowa State Board of Education member Mary Ellen Miller says the legislature
should look at the rules on this money, so it’s not just sitting in bank accounts.
But some lawmakers say the districts should just spend the money for the
purpose it was intended.
Democratic state Senator Brian Schoenjahn says the spending rules are there
for a purpose.
—
Veterinarian, Dr. John Conley Inducted Into County Hall Of Fame
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Historical Museum inducted its latest Hall of
Fame recipient during a ceremony held Sunday afternoon in the old Central gymnasium. Long-time local veterinarian Dr. John Conley of Merrill was presented the honor. Dr. Conley has been a veterinarian for the past 62 years, with the last 55 years practicing in Le Mars. Representatives from the Plymouth County Fair, American Legion post of Merrill, the Merrill-Hinton Lions Club, the Plymouth County Historical Museum, along with friends all nominated the veterinarian and spoke at the induction ceremony. Dr. Conley says he relates to the work of British veterinarian and author, Dr. James Herriott who is credited with writing several books about his practice.
Conley, says he doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon, saying he enjoys his chosen
occupation. He says he first got interested in animals at the age of 12. Growing
up on a Kingsley farm, Conley says his brother was always interested in tractors
and everything mechanical, but Conley says he preferred to be around the animals.
Conley now limits his practice to smaller animals, but he says he has a fond spot
in his heart for the large draft horses. Conley refers to draft horses as gentle
giants.
The veterinarian says he can always tell by the expression of an animal when that
animal is feeling ill, and when that animal is feeling good. One of his more
unusual cases was when he had to treat a camel with a urinary blockage.
At one point during his acceptance speech, Dr. Conley became emotional as he thanked his friends for the distinguished honor.
Flood Insurance Policies Dropped In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The number of flood insurance policies sold in Iowa
dropped 22 percent between 2011 and this year, but it’s hard to determine the
reason for the decline.
The number of policies fell to 13,872 at the end of September from 2011’s 17,861.
Officials say some homeowners may have dropped coverage when premiums
increased or because they paid off their homes so the coverage was no longer
required by a bank.
Buyouts of homes in flood-prone areas may have also contributed.
But the total number of flood insurance policies statewide is still higher
than it was in September 2008 when massive floods caused $5 billion in damage in
Cedar Rapids. At that point, nearly 12,000 flood insurance policies were in force
in Iowa.
—
