5 members of the Mt. Pleasant school board met for their September meeting last night. Notably absent were members Donnolly and Williamson. The meeting began with past and present students of Mr. Wagoner’s video team sharing their favorite memories as part of the student spotlight. One student voiced that they enjoyed being there for the parents who couldn’t make it. Superintendent Henriksen even called MPTV Closeup a “lifeline” during the COVID months when many parents were unable to make it to their child’s event.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services works with TAP (Transition Alliance Program) to help students who have “barriers” such as a mental disability. Any student with an IEP, 504, or medical diagnosis, can be counseled through this program, which is way to help them transition from highschool to life through job tours, coaching, life skills, and more.
The FY25 penny sales tax revenue estimates were shared, with the district expected to receive close to 2.4 million dollars to be used on upgrades, maintenance, and buildings and grounds to name a few. Speaking of buildings and grounds, there was a construction progress meeting on Monday to discuss happenings at the new facility located at 1515 E Monroe St. Construction is about one week ahead of schedule and they are hoping to bore the main electric line under the road this week.
The board continued their meeting by discussing new changes to Iowa’s law that will see less leniency offered to those who miss school. Chronic Absenteeism and truancy have been redefined, which will see students who miss 10% of the days in a semester consider “chronically absent” and those who miss 20% as truant. To put that into perspective, students who are absent for 9 days this first semester, will receive a certified letter home.
Excused absences no longer are exempt, meaning students who miss class for any reason, such as staying home sick, will count against them. There are a few exemptions, such as students including religious services or those who have already reached the graduation requirements. It is important to note that these changes have not been brought forth by the school district, but rather the state. Angie Blint, the president of the school board, asked a variety of questions on this matter, referring to a hypothetical student who has a sickness and stays home for 2 weeks. Looking at the other side of the coin, she mentioned that this new policy might scare students into coming to school, even if they are sick, which could cause illnesses to spread quicker and easier.
The board finished their meeting by approving a trip request for the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis in late October. 14 students will be attending this year, which offers them to opportunity to network with likeminded individuals and bring improvement back home, according to one student who has attended in the past. Board member Mike Hampton stated that he worked with FFA students at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion and that they were hardworking and a “fantastic group.”