LE MARS SCHOOL BOARD ADOPTS NEW LABOR AGREEMENT
A pay raise of 2% is the biggest change in the new Master Contract between the Le Mars Community School Board and Le Mars Community Education Association. The school board Wednesday approved a tentative contract agreement for fiscal year 2025-26, and then voted to approve distribution of the contracts to the district’s teachers and staff. The 2% increase raises base pay for teachers by 865 dollars, to $44,124.00. Total cost of the increase is 464-thousand dollars in the next fiscal year. The agreement also increases base pay for school nurses by $5,000. As required by Iowa law, minimum pay will be set at 50-thousand dollars for a full-time nurse with an Iowa Teaching License or professional certificate
ORANGE CITY, ALTON RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Orange City and Alton are working on a number of residential property developments. The city has finalized transfer of property on Salem Street north of Iowa Highway 10 to developer R. Perry, for construction of rental units. This is city administrator Earl Woudstra.
Woudstra says the Salem Street property will fill a shortage of available housing in Orange city.
Rental property is in big demand in Orange City
Another development is in the Kanaal Huis area near the new school.
The city is opening 14 more residential lots west of the new elementary school, in the Kanaal Huis complex.
Other Housing projects underway in Orange City this year include four custom home lots on Weiland Ave, 18 available lots in the Gelderland addition on the city’s north end; and 29 lots in the Puddle Jumper additions 9, 10 and 11. These projects come from the city’s 25 year development plan.
Earlier this month, the Orange City council approved a proposal to develop the old elementary school property downtown into a 14 residential lots featuring Dutch architecture.
The city of Alton has housing plans of its own. The Alton Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) housing project, Fair View Meadows 3rd Addition, is under construction. Lots will be available as soon as paving is complete. 24 lots are part of this addition. In the future, the city will expand housing closer to the Alton/Orange City limits, east of the Orange City elementary school.
BILL CHANGES DEFINITION OF BULLYING IN IOWA SCHOOLS
A bill headed to the governor’s desk would change how the state defines bullying and harassment in schools. Current law says bullying could be based on a list of traits like race, religion, sexual orientation or political belief. Republicans say the law is being misinterpreted and if the victim doesn’t fit one of the traits, the bullying is being passed off as two kids having a disagreement. The bill defines bullying and harassment as repeated and targeted acts and conduct that create a hostile school environment for a student. Democrats who opposed the bill say that means students will have to endure repeated harassment before schools can step in.
BILL TO REQUIRE CELL PHONE RESTRICTIONS IN IOWA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law requiring Iowa schools to enforce policies that restrict students from using smart phones when they’re in classes. Reynolds says her own grandchildren weren’t very happen with her for proposing the legislation, but she says rising student performance in schools that have already limited students’ access to cell phones shows it’s the right policy. The no-cell-phones-in-class rule for public schools goes into effect July 1st. The law does have exceptions for students who have instructional plans that require the use of a cell phone. Parents also may ask for their children to have access to their cell phones for behavior or physical health reasons.
IOWANS FOR TAX RELIEF CREATE WEBSITE WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT DATA
Iowans for Tax Relief has created an online portal with information about every public school in Iowa. Sarah Curry — research director for the Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation — says it includes the graduation rate for each district, as well as things like A-C-T scores, enrollment and budget data.
Curry says the website will let Iowans compare the performance of school districts.
The website shows the percentage of third graders in each district who are reading at their grade level.
The website shows property tax levy rates for each school district, but is also includes the Iowans for Tax Relief opinion on whether it’s reasonable. Iowans for Tax Relief is lobbying legislators to cut property taxes.
