Mount Pleasant Community School District School Board Work Session
Date: February 27, 2023 6:00 PM
Mount Pleasant Community School District: High School Media Center
Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Update on District Technology Program – Brandon Ridinger, Director of Technology
Review 23-24 PPEL Spending Considerations
Adjournment
Following adjournment the Board will move to an exempt meeting pursuant to Iowa Code 21.9 to discuss matters of strategy related to collective bargaining.
The seventh week of the 90th General Assembly has come to a close and it has been a busy one. I serve on four different policy committees so my week was packed with meetings pushing as many bills out of committee as possible before we hit the first funnel deadline next Friday. I apologize for not getting my newsletter out yesterday, but I did not get back to Mediapolis until late last night!
Sexually Explicit Material in Schools
Over the past week I started receiving questions about republicans in Iowa supposedly trying to ‘ban books’ – this is far from the truth, so let me provide some background as to the conversations / hearings that have been going on at the capitol. This month, the Government Oversight committee brought in five Iowa moms to share their experience challenging age-inappropriate books in their child’s school library or curriculum. The parents cited graphic sexual images, explicit sexual content, and disturbing accounts of violent sexual assault, rape, and pedophilia. There are a couple of takeaways I want you to get from reading my newsletter:
1. This is a serious issue.
We’re not talking about books with a couple of swear words or romantic scenes. We’re talking about material that is pornographic. I don’t feel comfortable sending the images or text of some of the passages of these books to your inbox, nor would it even be allowed to be printed in your local paper – which I hope would prove our point that these books should be no where near a child. Nevertheless, if you would like more information, I can send you some excerpts from these books or I am happy share some of the images with at one of my next forums. To illustrate, all three of these books below were found in school districts across Iowa:
Let’s Talk About It is a graphic novel described as “The Teens Guide to Sex, Relationships and Being a Human.” The book contains sexually explicit illustrations with instructions, tips and suggestions on how to perform various sex acts, and also suggests ways to consume pornography.
Gender Queer is a graphic novel about gender identity and sexual orientation written to relate to others who are struggling with gender identity. The book explores the use of pronouns and hormone-blocking therapies. It contains graphic illustrations of different sexual acts.
Push is described by Booklooks.org as a “heavily sexually abused teenager’s life circumstances change when a new mentor teaches her to read.” The book contains detailed and disturbing instances of incest and sexual molestation.
2. We’re not banning books.
This isn’t about banning books. This is about ensuring sexually explicit materials aren’t available in public schools without parental knowledge and consent. Whether these books are removed from school libraries or given a parental consent restriction, parents are still able to allow their children to read whatever books they’d like. The child may just not be able to get sexually explicit material from school.
3. The system is broken.
You would assume that once those books I mentioned above were objected to by parents that they would be immediately removed or placed under restriction, right? Wrong.
The process to challenge a book is a bureaucratic mess and gives little to no power to parents. One parent from this month’s meeting described the book reconsideration process in her school district which required her to go through an eight-step process that included at least four different administrator-selected committees and other boards. Eventually, she hired an attorney to help guide her through the process. She lost at every step along the way. The book Gender Queer is still available in the school without restriction. This issue must be addressed, and legislators are discussing many proposals as far as how to handle it.
Maternal Health Bill Advances Through HHS Committee
This week the House Health and Human Services Committee advanced House Study Bill 91, the Governor’s Maternal Health bill, with bipartisan support.
This makes the following changes expand access to maternal health care in Iowa:
• Doubles the number of Regional Centers of Excellence Programs in Iowa
• Adds four annual family medicine obstetric fellowships every year
• Creates a statewide standing order to allow pharmacists to dispense initially 3-months of an oral hormonal contraceptive, hormonal vaginal ring, or a hormonal contraceptive patch, and then subsequent year supplies, to patients 18 years and older. The woman must complete a self-screening risk assessment and blood pressure check prior to being dispensed the contraceptive. At least 12 states allow women to get their birth control prescription directly from a pharmacist. This language was modeled after Utah’s law.
• Adds $1.5 million to the More Options for Maternal Support Program and allows for funds to be used to support fatherhood initiatives
• Increases the allowable expense for nonrecurring legal fees from $500 to $1000 per child for reasonable, necessary costs directly related to the legal adoption of a child eligible for Iowa’s adoption subsidy program
• Expands opportunities for foster care students under the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship Program
Additionally, the Governor has already signed House File 161 addressing unpredictably high damage awards jeopardizing OB/GYN care in Iowa. The legislature will also address access to rural hospitals by establishing licensure for Rural Emergency Hospitals in House File 144 / Senate File 75.
Education Committee Bill Gives Schools More Flexibility
This week the House Education Committee passed House Study Bill 119 which is a bill that comes as a collaboration between legislators, the Governor’s office, and superintendents and administrators being asked what could be done to help their schools and allow more flexibility.
The bill removes the requirement that schools must submit a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP). This does not mean districts aren’t tracking and reporting what is in that plan, it simply means they don’t have to re-input the same data and submit it again. This helps free up administrative time and resources. It also eliminates the requirement that a school librarian must have a Masters degree and allows a district to employee a librarian who was previously employed by a public library. The bill also allows for up to five school days to be virtual. This would be used for things like snow days, flooding, or other reasons why students cannot be in the physical building. The legislation also allows more flexibility for teachers when it comes to classroom space by allowing teachers to teach sequential courses in the same classroom whether it’s AP, regular courses, or community college courses as long as they meet the certification requirements.
Iowa’s Bond Debt Situation – The End Is Still A Long Ways Away
Just like home mortgages, payments on bonds issued by the state seem to go on forever. And while the state of Iowa has a significantly-lower amount of outstanding bond debt when compared to other states, the cost of these bonds still has a big impact on what can be done to address state infrastructure needs of today and tomorrow.
In 2009, Governor Chet Culver and legislative Democrats believed it was wise fiscal policy for the state to borrow $800 million for a variety of state and local infrastructure projects. The I-Jobs program, as it was called, ended up primarily financing the repairs to the University of Iowa in the aftermath of the floods of 2008.
Perhaps the biggest ongoing impact of the I-Jobs program is the continual debt service payments for this ill-fated scheme. The state issued $695 million of bonds backed by the state’s gaming tax revenue. Here in 2023, the state still owes $354.1 million of the bonds’ principal alone. The state will pay approximately $55 million this year from state gaming tax collections to the holders of these bonds, instead of using the funds for needed repairs and new construction at state facilities. The payments on all the I-Jobs bonds will not end until Fiscal Year 2034.
Another portion of the I-Jobs program was the issuance of $115 million academic building revenue bonds by the Iowa Board of Regents. The Legislature authorized this series of bonds to fund construction projects at the three state universities. While the bonds are backed by tuition revenue from each school, the state actually makes the payment via the Tuition Replacement line item in the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF).
The I-Jobs bond and other previous academic building revenue bonds are still being paid off today. In Fiscal Year 2023, the state appropriated $27.9 million from RIIF for the year’s payment on these bonds. And still, there is $240.5 million of principle owed on the outstanding 18 bond series, and interest too. The last payments on these bonds will not be made until the end of Fiscal Year 2036.
The other major bond payment made by the state pays for the construction of the state’s maximum security prison. In 2007, the Democrat-led Legislature authorized the selling of bonds to finance the building of a new Iowa State Penitentiary at Fort Madison. Today, the state is still making annual payments on the 20-year bonds. In Fiscal Year 2023, the state will pay $13.8 million of judicial revenue for this bond. The state still owes $48.9 million in principle that will finally be paid off at the end of 2027.
Legislative Forums
Tomorrow, Saturday, February 25th, at 8:30AM I’ll be attending the Mount Pleasant Legislative Breakfast hosted by the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce on on Iowa Wesleyan’s campus in the International Room in the University’s Library. On Saturday March 4th, I’ll be attending two forums – the first one at 9AM at Muscatine Community College, and the second one being at 11AM at Wapello City Hall. I’d encourage anyone in the area to attend!
Week seven is the last week before funnel week. This is the first of two major deadlines for legislation during the legislative session. As we wrap this week up, we are also preparing for another busy week next week at the Capitol as we work on preparing bills for floor debate in the Senate. Next week will be full of subcommittees and committee work as we move forward in the legislative session and ensure our focus remains on the most important issues.
Fixing an Error for Property Owners
On Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 181 into law. The bill fixed an error in how taxable values were calculated for property owners. Fixing this mistake will automatically save Iowa taxpayers up to $120 million. If local governments decide they need those funds in their budgets, they need to justify the levy increases to their constituents. In the Iowa Senate, property tax reform is a top priority this legislative session and we are happy with the progress made so far. We look forward to continuing the hard work to provide tax relief for Iowans.
Innovate @ Iowa State Day!
Tuesday was Innovate @ Iowa State Day at the Capitol. The second of our major universities to visit the Capitol this session, definitely made a presence and did themselves proud. Students, Faculty and Staff from ISU were available in the First Floor Rotunda to share what the various programs have to offer and how the university is making a difference for Iowans across the state. Iowa Senators are proud to see how great our universities are doing and the opportunities they provide Iowa students.
Commercial Vehicle Liability Reform
This week the Iowa Senate passed SF 228, tort reform for commercial vehicles. I was not in favor of this legislation and attempted to, once again, protect human life, by drafting an amendment to this bill. This amendment would have added an exception to this cap in the instance of death. My amendment did not pass. I understand that the trucking industry is a major employer in Iowa. Beyond the jobs it creates, it is also vital to the success of the state’s economy. With that being said, I also believe that the 7th Amendment to our Constitution, which guarantees all citizens the right to a trial by jury should be upheld, and that those citizens called to be jurors should be allowed to do the job they are called to do.
Proponents of this legislation made claims of high liability insurance costing Iowans more for goods transported by commercial vehicles and promises of “big pay days” for those injured in car accidents with commercial vehicles. The truth of the matter is that no one injured or suffering loss of a family member due to a tragic accident is looking for a “big pay day”. Also of note, liability insurance rates for Iowa’s commercial trucking companies are already the 4th lowest in the country.
Accidents happen. And when negligence is the reason, someone should be liable for that negligence, and commercial trucking companies, like medical providers in our state, should not be held to a lower standard than anyone else. Another issue with this legislation is the fact that we have many interstate trucking companies crossing our state with no other state capping noneconomic damages like we will be doing if this bill passes out of the House. This will provide protections for out of state trucking companies, but not protect our Iowa trucking companies if an accident should occur while in another state. This legislation is now in the hands of the Iowa House.
Visitors to the Capitol this Week
Along with the Red and Yellow and the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association on Tuesday, visitors to the Capitol throughout the week included representatives from NAIFA, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors of Iowa, the Iowa Fire Arms Coalition, and Eastern Iowa Light & Power Company (REC).
Bringing Iowa’s Stories to Life: Statewide Guide Training Workshop Enrolling Now
Have you ever thought about sharing your talent for talk with tourists in your community? With funding provided through a collaborative partnership among ISU Extension and Outreach, Central Iowa Tourism, the Iowa Arts Council/Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts, individuals across the state can become trained as tour guides and volunteers to tell their local stories. This one-day workshop will take place on April 18th in Earlham, Iowa. Follow the link below to learn more, or share with someone you know who might enjoy this opportunity.
As always, please feel free to contact me with questions as legislation is introduced and moves through the legislative process.
Merle Melvin Clark, 89, of rural Fairfield passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at the Mahaska Partnership Hospice House in Oskaloosa.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at the Howard Grove Cemetery west of Pleasant Plain with Pastor Danny Cary officiating. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant. A memorial has been established in his memory.
The third suspect in an armed robbery in Des Moines County was located and arrested Thursday afternoon. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office said Aaron Bessine was located on Burlington Avenue and charged with first degree robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.
Tuesday about about 12:30 am deputies were dispatched to the Sundown Apartments on 115th Avenue to investigate a report of a robbery and shots fired. The victim said he had been held at gunpoint by three men who robbed him and fled on foot. Detectives identified the three men as Aaron Bessine, Jason Hollenbeck, and Ryan Payne.
Hollenbeck and Payne were immediately located, and arrested. Hollenbeck was charged with 1st Degree Robbery and felon in possession of a firearm. Payne was charged with 1st Degree Robbery.
Iowa City, IA- Iowa City West High School was the host for an epic Class 1A Region 8 Regional Championship between Winfield-Mt. Union and North Mahaska. The head coach for the Wolves, Mendy McCreight, was looking to lead the team back to the state tournament for the first time since her playing days at Winfield-Mt. Union in 1998. The Warhawks had made it to the dance last year but lost to Newell-Fonda in the opening round 77-44.
It was experience versus unfamiliarity, as the Wolves touted 5 senior starters and the Warhawks had 5 sophomores start the game. That experience seemed to aid the Wolves as they started the game on an 11 to 3 run, which saw Keetyn Townsley and Keely Malone nail a three-pointer and Melina Oepping dominate the offensive boards and the play on the block. However, Oepping would pick up her 3rd personal foul in the first quarter forcing her to sit out the rest of the half and North Mahaska would make their move. Led by Regan Grewe’s 6 points in the first half, the Warhawks went on a 19 to 4 run to close out the first half with a 22-17 lead. Coach McCreight admitted after the game that there were nerves entering the game,
“We were nervous, I’m not going to lie, including myself. We came out in the first half and you could tell we were nervous.”
A halftime speech was exactly what the Wolves needed to get back on track as Oepping continued her dominant ways connecting on two quick three-point plays, unable to make the free throw attached to the play, to get Winfield-Mt. Union back in the game. However, North Mahaska’s star player Breckyn Schilling, who ranked 8th in points for Class 1A entering the game, would keep them in the game as she scored 14 of her 16 points in the 2nd half. Despite her effort, the Wolves would take a 39-37 lead into the 4th quarter, but the game was far from over.
The 4th quarter remained low scoring as it took several minutes for either team to score, but it remained the ping-pong game it was in the 3rd quarter. It is impossible to script a basketball game, but you can always guarantee that in a close game free throws will be a factor. Bradie Buffington, Oepping, and Josie Nelson would all take a trip to the line for the Wolves in the 2nd half, the highest percentage for any of those player was Buffington at 69 percent, Nelson cam into the game shooting just 28 percent from the line, and Oepping shot at a 61 percent clip. North Mahaska would have Schilling go to the line for the Warhawks and at an 81% clip on the season it seemed destined for the Warhawks to make their free throws and move on. Winfield-Mt. Union came prepared with a community ready to disrupt North Mahaska’s concentration and they did just that as Schilling went 1 of 4 from the charity stripe. Winfield-Mt. Union would go 11 of 14 from the free throw line including Oepping making her last 8 in a row and Nelson going 2 for 2 at the line. The crowd was the 6th woman on the court for the Wolves.
“[The crowd] It’s so important, they [her players] don’t realize how much the crowd really gets us in it, keeps us motivated” said Coach McCreight. “It’s just so rewarding, it’s just awesome!”
Keely Malone would get a clutch steal and breakaway lay-up to wrap up the game for Winfield-Mt. Union as they took the ticket to Des Moines on a 52-47 final, as they outscored North Mahaska 35 to 25 in the 2nd half. Melina Oepping led the team with 24 points in the game and dominated the boards. Keetyn Townsley finished with 11 points, followed by Malone with 8 points, Bradie Buffington netted 7 points, and Josie Nelson’s 2 free throws would give the Wolves 52. Coach McCreight was grinning from ear-to-ear after the game knowing her team was set to go the state tournament,
“I’m so excited, couldn’t be more proud for the girls. It’s so rewarding as a coach to go back up there after being a part of the team in ’98, I can’t be happier.”
Winfield-Mt. Union will be the 6th seed in the tournament and taking on North Linn on March 1st at 6:45 pm. They will be having a community pep rally on February 28th at 5 pm at the big gym and there will be an early dismissal on March 1st at 1 pm along with a two-hour late start for school on March 2nd. KILJ will be covering their run through the tournament on 105.5 FM or kilj.com.
Patricia A. Hendricks, 72, of Salem, died Friday, February 24, 2023 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
Henry County Health Center will host a community blood drive with ImpactLife, the provider of
blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Friday, February 24 at 407 S.
White St., inside Health EducaƟon Center
What: Henry County Health Center Community Blood Drive
When: Friday, February 24, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Health EducaƟon Center, 407 S. White St., Mount Pleasant, IA
Appointments: To donate, please contact ImpactLife Burlington at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and
use code 1851 to locate the drive.
3407 Agency Street | Burlington, Iowa | (319) 754-4611
Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For quesƟons
about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/30/22 are eligible
to give at this drive.
About Blood Donation: Blood donaƟon is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour.
Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
About ImpactLife: ImpactLife is the provider of blood and blood components to more than 125 hospitals in Illinois,
Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. In your area, ImpactLife is the exclusive provider to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical
Center – West Burlington, Henry County Health Center
