WMU School Board Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:58 pm CDT

WINFIELD – MT. UNION COMMUNITY SCHOOL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

LIBRARY, W-MU 6:00 p.m. ~ May 10, 2023

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Public Comment
  4. Consent Agenda

D1.  Minutes, Bills, Financial Reports

D2.  Personnel Hirings/Resignations

 

  1. Reports

E1.  Building Reports

E2.  Superintendent Report

 

 

  1. General Business

F1.  Policy Review:  IASB Updates – Edwards:  200.4 Board Member Social Media Engagement, 210.5

Meeting Notice, 401.5R1 Employee Records Regulation, 401.9 Credit Cards, 407.2 Licensed

Employee Contract Release, 501.2 Nonresident Students, 604.6 PSEO Instruction, 701.2 Transfer of

Funds, and 708 District Records

F2.  Consider Shared Librarian Agreement with AEA for 2023-24.

F3.  Consider Transportation/Travel Regulations

F4.  Consider Ad Hoc Study Committee for 4 Day School Week

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Adjourn

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:38 pm CDT

AGENDA

May 2, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Resolution  – award contract for Iowa Avenue twin box culvert

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Floyd Leo Watznauer

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:22 pm CDT

Floyd Leo Watznauer, 96, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 7:10 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at the West Point Care Center in West Point, Iowa.

Born on September 12, 1926, in Fort Madison, the son of William L. and Genevieve (Kramer) Watznauer. On June 25, 1949, in Fort Madison, he married Deloris Nadine Davolt.

He is survived by his wife: Deloris; two children: Randy (Judy) Watznauer of Fort Madison and Rhonda (Duane) Burkhardt of Carlisle, Iowa. Also surviving is one sister: Vera Boeding of West Point and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Martha Boeddeker, Evelyn Schneider, Pauline Blint, LaVerne Boeding, Raymond Watznauer, Lucille Fedler, Ike Watznauer, Wilbert Watznauer, Ilene Dingman, Rita Miller and Bernard Watznauer.

Floyd was a farmer, worked for Iowa Ammunition Plant and retired from Armour Dial. He was a member of Sts. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison. Floyd enjoyed horseback riding, jigsaw puzzles, watching westerns, coon and mushroom hunting. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

 

A memorial has been established in his memory.

 

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.

Iowa Wesleyan University Celebrates Annual Awards Day

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 2:01 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA – April 27, 2023 —Iowa Wesleyan University held its annual Awards Day on April 27 to recognize outstanding students, faculty, and staff. The University recognized students for exemplary achievement in their majors, their leadership on campus, and their involvement in the community throughout the year. The awards ceremony also included announcing the most prestigious student award given annually, the President’s Award.

“Awards day is an honored tradition at Iowa Wesleyan University where we can showcase fantastic academic and co-curricular awards for many Iowa Wesleyan students while also announcing top awards for our staff and faculty,” stated Megan Hills, Interim Chief Academic Officer. “It is one of the amazing ways we celebrate the end of the year.”

The President’s Award, presented to a graduating senior, epitomizes a person who consistently demonstrates responsible and selfless use of talent and leadership throughout their undergraduate experience. Nominees must be high achievers who have modeled exemplary academic effort and engagement. The 2022-2023 President’s Award was presented to Ella Francis from New London, Iowa. Ella has been involved in numerous on-campus organizations and committees, including performing in the IW Choir and serving as the President of the Student Government Association during the 2022-23 academic year.

Faith Younce of Bonney Lake, Washington, received the Tiger Spirit Award. This award signifies what it means to be an Iowa Wesleyan Tiger by displaying a positive attitude, sportsmanship, spirit, and pride.

The Student Leader of the Year award recipient was Karoline Stratton from Dubuque, Iowa. This award recognizes a student who has excelled and exemplified outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to impact growth, culture, and change at IW positively.

The Mount Pleasant REC Center was recognized for their unwavering support of Iowa Wesleyan’s internship program. The REC Center has been a dedicated internship placement facility for many Iowa Wesleyan students while providing excellent support and guidance for interning students.

We are also excited to recognize our instructors during our annual celebration. The Advisor of the Year honor was awarded to Dr. Cyndi Walljasper ’92, Professor of Psychology and Faculty Chair, for her dedication to IW students.

The Carol J. Nemitz Staff of the Year award was presented to Jim Pedrick ’80, Development Director. This award recognizes staff members who have exhibited extraordinary commitment and service to Iowa Wesleyan University.

For a full list, check out our 2023 Awards Day Winners.

 

Charges Following Drug Trafficking Investigation

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 1:32 pm CDT

During early 2023, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a methamphetamine trafficking investigation in the Henry County and southeast Iowa area. Upon investigation, the following have been charged and/or arrested:

Michael Carpenter, 31 of St. Paul, IA:

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Failure to affix drug tax stamp (class D felony)

Gathering/meeting where controlled substances distributed (class D felony)

Crystal Ecker, 36 of St. Paul, IA:

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Trevor Harmon, 37 of Lomax, IL:

Conspiracy to deliver over 5 grams of methamphetamine (class B felony)

Bryan Stewart, 36 of New London, IA:

Sex Offender Registry Violation (aggravated misdemeanor)

Gathering/meeting where controlled substances distributed (class D felony)

Joshua Helmick, 41 of Norwalk, IA:

Possession with intent to deliver over 5 grams (class B felony)

Failure to affix drug tax stamp (class D felony)

Eluding (with 124 violation) (class D felony)

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted during the investigation by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Burlington Police Department, Ottumwa Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, New London Police Department, and the Mount Pleasant Police Department.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty

Jeffrey A. Thompson

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 28th, 2023 at 1:31 pm CDT

Jeffrey A. Thompson, 60, of Burlington, Iowa, passed away at 3:20 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

He was born on April 24, 1963, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Norman and Mary (Chapman) Thompson. He was married to Jacqueline Crowner.

He is survived by this two sons: Tory Thompson of Burlington, Iowa and Tyler (Brittanie) Thompson of Burlington, Iowa; two daughters: Jenna Buis of Muncie, Indiana and Chelsey Thompson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; eight grandchildren; mother: Mary Chapman; brother: Ron Thompson and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Jeff was a graduate of Fort Madison High School. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established in his memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Iowa Utilities Board issues electric generating certificate for Alliant Energy’s solar, battery storage project 

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at 9:08 am CDT
 

Project facilities to be located in Lee County
(Des Moines) – The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) today issued an order granting a certificate of public convenience, use and necessity to Interstate Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy (Alliant), for a solar electric generating facility and battery energy storage system (BESS) project to be located in Lee County, Iowa.

Alliant filed its application on October 31, 2022, in Docket No. GCU-2022-0003 for a proposed solar generating facility totaling up to 150 megawatts (MW) and an associated 75 MW BESS project. The proposed project area consists of approximately 925 acres within a 2,685-acre area of agricultural land near the unincorporated community of Wever.

Alliant anticipates the project area will consist of the solar array system and associated electric generating equipment, with approximately five acres designed for the BESS project to be located adjacent to the collector substation. The solar project will connect to inverters, which will connect to a collector substation in the southwest corner of the project, and connect through a generation tie-in transmission line to the ITC Midwest LLC Wever substation. The BESS project will also connect to the collector substation.

The certificate will be limited to the 150 MW solar generating facility and the 75 MW BESS proposed by Alliant. Any increase to the total generation capacity or the addition of a storage facility, or transfer of the certificate to another entity, will require Alliant to file for an amendment to the certificate.

As conditions to the certificate, Alliant is required to provide a report describing the final plan designs as soon as they exist, a flood mitigation plan, a glint and glare report, the completed road use agreement with Lee County, a report detailing the BESS interconnection, final project costs, and the final safety and emergency response plan for the BESS.  The order also specifies that if the project is not completed within two years, the certificate will expire and Alliant will be required to submit a new petition with the IUB.

The order acknowledges that all landowners approved and consented to the use of their land for the proposed project through voluntary easement agreements and Alliant did not seek eminent domain.

Documents regarding Alliant’s solar facility and BESS project are available for review in the IUB’s electronic filing system under Docket No.GCU-2022-0003.

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The Iowa Utilities Board regulates utilities to ensure that reasonably priced, reliable, environmentally responsible, and safe utility services are available to all Iowans.

Follow the Board on Twitter: https://twitter.com/iub_now

Linda K. Dodd

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at 9:06 am CDT

Linda K. Dodd, 66, of Bonaparte, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, April 24, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.

Friends and family may gather at 12:30 PM on Monday, May 1 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, where a procession will form for a graveside funeral service at 1:00 PM at the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call  from 2-6 PM on Sunday, April 30 at the funeral home. The family will be present to receive friends from 2-4 PM.

Memorials may be directed to help the family defray funeral expenses. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Mrs. Dodd, the former Linda Kay Wise, was born June 14, 1956 in Burlington, IA. She was the daughter of Leslie A. and Donna Mae (Toney) Wise. On April 7, 1987 in El Reno, OK, Linda was united in marriage to Glen Earl Dodd. Mr. Dodd preceded in death in 2009.

Linda made her home in Oklahoma before returning to Mt. Pleasant in 2004. While living there, she worked at Fair Foods, Mini Max Convenience Stores, the Taco Tico and Taco Mayo restaurants and the Reno Inn. After moving to Mt. Pleasant, she worked at the Super 8 Motel and as a para educator for the Mt. Pleasant Community School District. While her grandchildren were her favorite pastime, she also enjoyed garage sales, crocheting, sewing, tablet computer games and SuDuKo puzzles.

Survivors include her children – Sara (Mikeal) Davis of Minooka, IL, Jessica Dodd of New London, Daniel Dodd of Bonaparte and Kenny Quilliams of New London; grandchildren – Colin, Kyle and Celina Davis, Kaylin & Tristan Clancey, Bradlee Wilson, Jaxson Gallup, Trisha Shepherd and Allivia (Colton) Moore, and 2 great grandchildren – Diem and Dessa Moore.

Her parents, husband, daughter Cassandra Jo and great granddaughter Nora Mae Moore precede Linda in death.