(LE MARS)–A Le Mars Community School District construction project could be underway in the spring.
The Le Mars Community Board of Education is asked to make a construction decision during a meeting at 7:30 tonight. The board will be asked to move forward with Phase II of the School’s construction plan.
Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt last month recommended the board approve construction plans and authorize an architect to proceed with bids.
The superintendent’s recommendation for the nine-point-four-million dollar project is based five points. They included the positive impact the new facility will have on the students who participate in high school athletic, music and art programs.
Another factor was the financing would be over 10 years from the statewide penny sales tax proceeds. In addition to the loan payment each year, an additional 600-thousand dollars would be available for transportation, technology and other infrastructure needs.
The board is expected to discuss their intentions for Kissinger Elementary School, get reports from principals and receive information on a high school band trip next spring.
The public meeting is at the Education Service Center.
AGENDA REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER 940 LINCOLN ST SW NOVEMBER 8, 2010, 7:30 PM
- I. CALL TO ORDER
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting – October 25, 2010 (pages 4 and 5)
III. CONSENT GROUPING
- A. Claims and Accounts (see enclosed)
- B. Budget Report (see enclosed)
C. Superintendent’s Office Fund (see enclosed)
D. Lunch Fund (see enclosed)
E. Elementary Activity Account (see enclosed)
F. Middle School Activity Account (see enclosed)
G. High School Activity Account (see enclosed) (see enclosed)
IV. REPORTS AND INFORMATION A. Reports .
- Unscheduled Audience
A 10-minute module of time is available for audience participation.
- 2.
- L.E.E.P.
Gayle Vonk, President of the LeMars Education Enhancement Project, will
report on the organization’s progress and upcoming activities. (See enclosed list of textbooks purchased.)
- 3.
- IASB Orientation to Governance
The Iowa Association of School Boards hosted the ABLE workshop in Sheldon on October 26, 2010. Board members in attendance will share their learnings.
- 4.
- Principal Reports
Building principals will present brief reports to the Board of Education.
2
B. Information 1. High School Band Trip
Curt Ohrlund, Instrumental Music Director at the high school, will present information to the Board of Education regarding the high school band trip to be held next spring. (see enclosed) 2. IASB State School Board Convention The annual Iowa Association of School Boards Convention will be held on November 18, 2010 in Des Moines. The Le Mars Community School Board of Education will be receiving the Association’s Award of Achievement Plaque for the tenth year in a row. Board members planning to attend will finalize arrangements. V. ACTION ITEMS A. Personnel 1. Resignations a. Denise Spieler has resigned her position as assistant varsity volleyball coach effective at the conclusion of the volleyball season. b. Amy Kelly has resigned her position as varsity girls’ cross country coach effective at the conclusion of the cross country season. 2. Contracts B. Other Items
- 1. Phase II Construction Project
The Board will consider approving the Phase II Construction Project as recommended by Dr. Todd Wendt, Superintendent. (Recommendation enclosed.) .
- 2. Kissinger Building
Board members will have the opportunity to discuss their intentions regarding the Kissinger Elementary building in Merrill and the community’s desire to acquire the building. 3. SBRC Application Dr. Wendt will present the district’s application to the school budget review committee for modified allowable for open enrollment out students not included in the 2009 certified count. (Application enclosed.)
4. Collective Bargaining for 2011-12 Contract
The Le Mars Education Association has requested that the first bargaining session be held Monday, January 3, 2011 at 5:00 pm with the Board’s initial proposal being made on Monday, January 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm. The Board will need to appoint their bargaining team for the 2011-12 contract negotiations and direct the superintendent to respond to the request. (Letter of request enclosed.)
Volunteers need soldiers’ names
(LE MARS)–A project to provide a holiday care package from Le Mars area residents to soldiers has reached the stage of putting on addresses.
About 120 packages are packed to be shipped to members of Le Mars Troop C of the Iowa Army National Guard and others who are serving their country.
One of the volunteers, Pat Warner, is asking parents, spouses or others to giver her a call or send an email with the soldier’s name.
Volunteers hope to address the packages late this week. The phone number for Warner is 712-546-5778 or the names may be emailed to warner with the email addres of pdwarner@frontiernet.net
Senior College offers next course November 22nd
(LE MARS)–Le Mars area residents may continue their education with the latest Senior College Course through Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars.
“Act Happy” is the second Senior College Course and begins November 22nd. The course runs through December 8th and is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-11 in the morning.
Additional information is available from Good Samaritan Society-Le Mars.
Teen injured in collision with hay rack
(SIBLEY)–A Sioux Center teen was injured when the pickup truck he was driving struck a hay rack in Osceola County on Highway 9.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s office reports 43-year-old Mark Bremer of Ocheyedan was driving a pickup truck pulling two hay racks loaded with large bales.
According to the sheriff’s office, Bremer was approaching the intersection with Tyler Avenue when the hay rack was struck by 16-year-old Jake Pedersen of Sioux Center.
The pickup Pedersen was driving collided with the back of a hay rack on the roadway before entering the north ditch.
Pedersen was taken to the Osceola Community Hospital by Ocheyedan Ambulance to be treated for incapacitating injuries.
Treasurer’s office has $207M in unclaimed cash
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A published report says there is about $207 million in unclaimed money at the Iowa State Treasurer’s office.
It’s part of the “Great Iowa Treasure Hunt” and contains a mix of cash, stocks and property that banks, utilities and others haven’t been able to deliver to the hundreds of thousands of recipients statewide
There’s also about 2 million shares of stock.
The money and stocks have been turned over to Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald’s office for the program.
The Register reports that the recipients include a Storm Lake man who has around $2 million to claim in cash and stocks.
Meanwhile, some higher profile officials are owed less. Gov. Chet Culver’s wife, Mari Culver, is owed $49 by Principal Financial Group. Also, U.S. Rep. Steve King’s campaign is owed $105 in utility company rebates.
Besides seats, GOP wins sway in 2010 redistricting
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Republicans don’t just control much of the electoral map. In some cases, they now have the power to redraw it.
Overwhelming victories in statehouses and governors’ races across the country this week have placed the GOP in command of redrawing both congressional and legislative districts to conform with Census results.
It’s a grueling and politically charged process that typically gives the party in power an inherent advantage for a decade, allowing them to preserve current strongholds or to put others in play.
Along with gains in governorships this week, Republicans picked up about 680 legislative seats twice the number Democrats gained in their wave two years ago.
3 face drugs charges after probation check
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Authorities say three Iowa City residents have been charged after officers on a probation check allegedly found drugs and weapons.
Police records show officers from the state’s Department of Corrections High Risk unit went to an Iowa City home on Friday evening for a probation check.
The officers allegedly found marijuana and Psilocybin mushrooms. Officers also reportedly found a lab where a scale and other drug paraphernalia was found.
Authorities also seized several shotguns, a rifle and a handgun.
The three men, two are 31 and another is 25, are being held at Johnson County Jail.
Barge hits bridge over river between Wis. and Iowa
LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) A bridge over the Mississippi River between Iowa and Wisconsin has been closed after being struck by a barge.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the Highway 82 bridge at Lansing, Iowa, will remain closed indefinitely, at least until an inspection can be completed Sunday.
Motorists are advised to cross the river at either La Crosse or Prairie du Chien.
It’s not clear why the barge hit the bridge Saturday evening.
Iowa sees 33 percent increase in whooping cough
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa public health officials say they’ve seen a 33 percent increase in whooping cough this year over the previous five-year average.
Iowa Department of Public Health epidemiologist Ann Garvey says so far this year there have been 423 cases of whooping cough, or pertussis, in Iowa. That’s compared with about 200 cases at this time last year.
The five-year average is about 318 cases.
But Garvey says pertussis is cyclical and increases are expected every three to five years.
Garvey says the department has seen whooping cough statewide.
Whooping cough starts with cold-like symptoms, but within a week or two, patients develop uncontrollable coughing spells. These coughs are accompanied by the telltale whooping sound as the patient gasps for air.
Veterans conference planned at University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) Officials say a statewide veterans conference is planned at the University of Iowa this week.
Organizers say they expect about 80 service providers, students and faculty to address issues affecting military veterans. That includes veterans who have a tough time returning home and back to their routines with work or school after an overseas deployment.
The event on Tuesday will feature workshops for veterans and their families.
The conference is hosted by the university’s veterans office and student organizations, among others.
John Mikelson is an adviser for the university’s veterans center. He says the conference will address ways colleges and universities can work with returning veterans.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
