School Board Will Meet This Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District Board of Education is scheduled to meet this evening at the Administration Education Center. On the school board’s agenda will be an update from School superintendent Dr. Todd
Wendt as he reviews the technology integration application process that was recently completed. The process is part of the Board’s goal to increase the level of technology integration in the classrooms. The school board will discuss the Senior Awards Night that is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17th and
the Commencement Exercises graduation ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 21st. High school principal Dr. Mark Iverson will review with the school board the list of seniors expected to graduate this year. The school board will discuss
the upcoming Foundation Chamber Coffee scheduled for Wednesday, May 24th to be held at the Education Service Center. The school district’s employee recognition coffee is scheduled for Thursday, May 25th at 2:00 p.m. at the High
School Cafeteria. The school board will act upon the resignation request of Arlene Urban as she will be retiring from her position in the print room effective June 30th. The school board will discuss contracts to be offered to Caleb Van Otterloo as an assistant high school football coach, and Kurt Van Kley
as the Middle School Assistant Track coach. Dr. Wendt will present the listing of Teacher Leadership and Compensation positions for Board consideration. The school board will also discuss the school fees for the 2017-2018 school year.
Life Skills Training Center To Hold Annual Banquet
(Le Mars) — Life Skills Training Center will be holding its annual banquet this evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian-United Church of Christ church. The banquet will recognize the “Outstanding Client” for this past year, as well as review the financial position of the organization. Board members
will also be recognized.
Third Annual Bike Fair Scheduled For Monday Evening
(Le Mars) — The Olson Cultural Event Center will be the site for this evening’s 3rd Annual Bike Fair. The event is scheduled to happened between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Featured at this evening’s bike fair will be a bike rodeo. Mark Strub with the Plymouth County Cyclists explains.
Strub says bike inspections will also take place during the bike fair. Strub says it is important to have your bicycle inspected before you do any serious riding this spring and summer.
Strub says a common items on the bike that needs attention is the chain and reflectors and lights.
Funeral For Killed Pottawattamie County Deputy Is Today
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – The western Iowa sheriff’s deputy who was fatally wounded in a jail escape last week will be laid to rest on Monday.
The funeral for Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Burbridge will be 10 a.m. today at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It will be open to the public.
Afterward, more than 1,000 law enforcement vehicles are expected to escort Burbridge’s body back to the funeral home. Some mourners are expected to line up along the procession route to pay their respects to Burbridge.
Police say Wesley Correa-Carmenaty was being transported to the Council Bluffs jail after sentencing last Monday when he attacked Burbridge and another deputy, grabbed one of their guns and shot them before fleeing in a jail van. He was recaptured in neighboring Omaha, Nebraska.
Both the Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office have sent officers to Council Bluffs to attend the slain deputy’s funeral.
Department Of Human Services Trying To Fix Problems With Foster Care
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Human Services is facing scrutiny from legislators as it tries to implement rules for the state foster care system that it says will better protect children.
As the agency strives to make changes it says are necessary, lawmakers are pushing back against the efforts and criticizing the agency for focusing on small fixes. The criticism follows high-profile child abuse cases last year, which led some lawmakers to say the agency is no longer credible.
The newly proposed foster care rules change guidelines for child placement agencies and alter rules for hazard protections, bedrooms and such details as pet waste disposal.
The process for those rules to be enacted requires a public notice period until May 16, during which lawmakers and citizens can voice opinions.
Regents Hire Consultant Firm To Assist With Search For Iowa State University President
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents has hired a Washington search firm to help in its search for the next president of Iowa State University.
The board said a news release that it had selected AGB Search.
Regents board director Robert Donley says the firm “has a track record of doing great work in assisting in hiring of university presidents.”
AGB has been charged with developing the position specification and search timeline, as well as identifying potential candidates and receiving nominations and applications for the position. The firm will also communicate with prospective candidates, facilitate candidate interviews and conduct background checks on applicants.
AGB will be paid $110,000, plus expenses.
The search is to replace Steven Leath, who is leaving ISU to become president of Auburn University.
Board of Regents Propose Tuition Increases
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents is considering tuition hikes at the state’s three public universities next school year to help offset millions in budget cuts.
The Press-Citizen reports (https://icp-c.com/2pkG2BC ) the proposal would increase in-state base tuition for undergraduates by $216 for the 2017-18 academic year at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.
ISU and UNI officials requested the increase be applied across the board, including for international, out-of-state, graduate and professional students.
The move is expected to generate an additional $7.1 million at ISU and $2 million at UNI.
But UI officials have requested a 3.8 percent increase for other tuition classifications. That would increase base tuition for non-resident undergraduates by at least $1,078, generating an additional $16.5 million for UI.
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Cornell College Alum Donates $1 Million For Science Facility
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) – A Mount Vernon native and Cornell College alumnus has given $1 million to the Iowa college for a science facilities expansion.
Jerry Ringer, a retired ophthalmologist in Bloomington, Illinois, and his wife, Carole, donated the money for the college’s $35 million science facilities project. Ringer says he attended Cornell because of its reputation for pre-med studies.
The project will more than double the college’s STEM space with the construction, already under way, of the four-story Russell Science Center and renovations of West Science and portions of Law Hall. In just under two years, the college has exceeded $32 million in gifts toward the project.
Ringer is one of the longest-serving members of Cornell’s Board of Trustees, including serving as board chairman from 1999 to 2002.
