Author: Hayden Douglas

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Directors met Monday night to finalize preparations for the start of the 2025–26 school year, review facility concerns, update district policies, and continue progress toward hiring the next superintendent.

Staff Opening Day and Professional Development Plans

The district will host its All Staff Opening Day this Wednesday (Aug 13^th) in the high school commons. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., with time for connection and lighthearted activities before teachers head to their buildings.

This year, all teachers will receive iPads, with an Apple representative visiting for training on new instructional tools.

Facilities Updates and Safety Concerns

The board received a detailed report on the condition of the P.E.O. Memorial Building on the former Iowa Wesleyan campus, now part of the district’s central campus. Significant structural deterioration, moisture damage, and safety hazards have been identified. Yellow safety fencing will be placed around the building.

Due to high estimated demolition costs—around $350,000—any decision will require a sealed bid process, engineering specifications, and a public hearing. The board emphasized the building has no educational use for the district despite its historical significance.

Board Actions

The board unanimously approved:

• Accepting a $13,000 classroom furniture donation from Hendrickson Company.
• Forming a 30-member ad hoc facilities committee to study the number and location of district attendance centers, with recommendations due by January 2026.
• First reading of an updated employee retirement policy with a February application deadline.
• Approval for the FFA to assist with Old Threshers events as a fundraiser.

Superintendent Search

The board heard presentations from two firms—Ray and Associates and Grundmeyer Leader Services—and discussed each group’s experience, community engagement approach, and ongoing communication plans. Several board members noted strong impressions from both, but ultimately selected Grundmeyer Leader Services to lead the search process.

School Board Election Information

Candidate filing for the November 4 school board election opens August 25 and closes September 18. Three seats will be on the ballot: Director District 1 (currently Melinda Huisinga), Director District 2 (currently Derek Mullin), and an at-large seat (currently Josh Maher.). All will be four-year terms.

Looking Ahead

The board’s next work session is set for August 25 at 6 p.m. The district will also host a “Live After 5” networking event October 1 at the Receiving, Transportation, and Maintenance site on East Monroe.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Directors will hold its regular meeting on Monday, August 11, at 6 p.m. in the High School Media Center.

The evening will open with a Student Spotlight and a presentation from Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance representatives Rachel Lindeen and Erica Martin. Citizens will also have an opportunity to address the board during the public comment period.

A major focus of the meeting will be the Superintendent Search Firm Presentation from Grundmeyer Leader Services, as the district continues its process to find a new superintendent.

Reports are scheduled from elementary principals Katie Sands, Melanie Collora, and Ashley Hoyer, as well as an update from the superintendent’s office, which will include back-to-school events.

The board will also consider a variety of action items under new business, including:

• Waiving the open enrollment out transfer student ineligibility period
• Approving a classroom furniture donation
• Approving a resolution for an ad hoc committee
• Setting IASB legislative priorities for the year
• Conducting a first reading of the employee early retirement policy
• Approving the FFA Old Threshers Elk Tent fundraiser
• Selecting a superintendent search firm

The meeting is open to the public, and the full agenda and supporting documents are available on the district’s website at www.mtpcsd.org under the “Board” tab.

The Henry County Heritage Trust will present a special program exploring the history and beginnings of Mount Pleasant’s Mental Health Institute at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Henry County Heritage Center Museum, 403 West Madison Street, Mount Pleasant.

Opened in 1861, the sprawling complex was originally known as the “Insane Asylum” and later the Iowa State Hospital. Mount Pleasant’s MHI was one of only four such institutions in Iowa and, for many years, stood as one of the region’s largest employers. The program will provide an in-depth look at its origins, operations, and impact on the community.

The event is free to attend and will include refreshments. For more information, contact the Heritage Center at (319) 217-6042.

Washington County, Iowa – On Sunday, August 10, 2025, at approximately 10:53 a.m., emergency dispatchers received reports of a two-vehicle collision with airbag deployment and unknown injuries in the 2700 block of Highway 1, rural Washington County.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation revealed that Unit 1, operated by Kevin Pape, was traveling southbound on Highway 1, while Unit 2, operated by Travis Kleese, was traveling northbound and towing an enclosed livestock trailer.

Authorities say that as the vehicles approached one another, Pape purposely crossed the centerline and drove toward Unit 2 without regard for safety. In an effort to avoid a head-on collision, Kleese took evasive action, but Unit 1 struck the axle area of Unit 2’s trailer, causing disabling damage. Pape’s vehicle then left the roadway to the east, entered the ditch, and came to rest after striking a wooden powerline pole.

Investigators determined that Pape knowingly and intentionally attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against Unit 2, which was occupied by five individuals, none of whom were known to Pape.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Washington Police Department, Washington County Conservation, Washington County Ambulance, Washington County Rescue, Washington Fire Chief, Washington Fire Department, Washington QRS, and Moore’s Towing.

LEE COUNTY – Multiple people were injured Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 16 and 240th Avenue.

The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash occurred at 5:16 p.m. on August 9 when a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, driven by a 31-year-old from Richland, Iowa, was traveling north on 240th Avenue and failed to stop at the stop sign. The SUV entered Highway 16 and was struck by a westbound 2023 Chrysler 300 driven by a 66-year-old from Fort Madison.

Seven individuals sustained injuries in the collision:

• A 37-year-old from Mount Pleasant, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was flown by MedForce to University of Iowa Hospitals.

• The 31-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi was transported by ground ambulance to Great River Hospital; authorities say a seatbelt saved their life.

• A 51-year-old from Richland was transported by ground ambulance to Great River Hospital.

• Two children, ages 9 and 8, both from Richland, were also transported to Great River Hospital.

• The 66-year-old driver of the Chrysler was flown by AirCare to University of Iowa Hospitals; authorities say a seatbelt saved their life.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Newberry’s Towing.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, West Point Police Department, Donnellson Police Department, and Lee and Henry County Fire and EMS crews.

The crash remains under investigation, and the names of those involved are being withheld pending further investigation.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Finance Committee met Friday to review July expenditures, finalize budget items related to the 2024-25 fiscal year, and prepare for upcoming board decisions. While no official action was taken, a range of financial details were discussed in depth, setting the stage for next Monday night’s full board meeting. The meeting opened with a review of July’s district-wide expenditures, spanning general fund, activity, and other accounts.

Property Tax Rate & Enrollment Revenue

The committee reviewed the final certified levy rate for Fiscal Year 2026, which came in at $11.97 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Also discussed was the July SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) sales tax allocation, which came in at $240,421. That figure represents an increase over last July’s $217,000, likely due in part to rising certified enrollment—up from 730 to 750 students. These monthly allocations fluctuate based on real-time sales tax collections and directly support infrastructure and capital projects.

Fiscal Year 2025 Closeout and Audit Timeline

Henriksen gave updates on fiscal year-end tasks. The Certified Annual Report (CAR) is due by September 15, and the district audit is scheduled for the week of November 3.

Upcoming Board Elections

The meeting closed with reminders about the upcoming school board elections, with nomination papers available now and due by September 18. The election will be held November 4, and seats up for election include:

• Director District 1 currently held by Melinda Huisinga
• Director District 2 currently held by Derek Mullin
• At-Large seat Currently held by Josh Maher

All terms will be for four years, a result of redistricting changes in recent years.

The full board will review these finance items at its regular meeting Monday night. More information can be found on the district’s website.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — Community members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Goodwill staff gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of the Helms Career Center, a new resource hub aimed at helping individuals build job skills and find meaningful employment.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the launch of the center, located within the Goodwill facility in Mount Pleasant. The center is named in honor of Dr. Bradley Helms, the organization’s founder, who championed self-sufficiency and lifelong learning.

“This is very exciting,” said Amy Winslow, Career Services & Development Manager. “We call this the Helms Career Center, and it’s named after Dr. Helms, who believed we should help people help themselves by giving them the skills they need to find work and support their families. That still aligns with our mission today—to help people reach their full potential through education, training, and the power of work.”

The Helms Career Center offers a wide range of free services, open to all community members, with no eligibility requirements.

Services include:

• Resume writing assistance

• Interview tips and mock interviews

• Job search guidance

• Courses in Microsoft Office and artificial intelligence

• Industry-recognized certifications

“This center is here for high school students looking for their first job, or someone who hasn’t worked in a while and is ready for a new opportunity,” Winslow added. “It’s all possible thanks to the community’s support of our retail stores and donations.”

Emmy Thompson will staff the center and provide one-on-one assistance during the following hours:
Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The celebration concluded with a cheerful ribbon cutting, applause, and photo opportunities with attendees and staff.

For more information or to access services, visit the Helms Career Center inside the Goodwill Mount Pleasant location during posted hours.