Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Kerr

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 9:34 am CDT
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Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Kerr, 79, of Mount Pleasant, died Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Harmony Care Center in Cedar Rapids.

Libby was born November 28, 1945, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Walter and Anna (Hoffman) Wehrle. She graduated from New London High School in 1964. Libby served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, with an honorable discharge in 1977. She attended the School of Cosmetology in Cedar Rapids, graduating in 1989. She worked as a hairdresser and massage therapist in Mount Pleasant for many years. Libby enjoyed shopping, caring for her pets, dining out, and spending time with her family and friends.

Libby is survived by her siblings, Ginny (Jim) Ritchey of Burlington, Kay Behmer of Des Moines, Diana (Bob) Olaszek of Plainfield, IL, Betty Ensminger of Mount Pleasant, and Roger (Susan) Wehrle of Ponte Verda, FL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three siblings Shirley Kay, Jack Wehrle and Pete Wehrle.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. There will be a graveside service with Military Rites in the Grant Cemetery at a later date. Memorial funds have been established for the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Association. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Libby and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Larry Wayne Haight

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 8:52 am CDT

Larry Wayne Haight, 73, of Swisher, formerly of Winfield, died peacefully on April 11th, 2025, at his home.

Larry was born on April 9, 1952, to Keith and Norma (Maxwell) Haight. His brother Lon rounded out their small but mighty crew. He grew up in Winfield, Iowa, where he had a wonderful childhood filled with farm life, Boy Scouts, and athletics. He learned early on the value of hard work, helping on the farm, and getting into just enough mischief to keep things interesting.

A good ol’ Iowa farm boy, he somehow found his way to Northeast Missouri State (now Truman State University) and graduated with a Business Administration degree. This is where he met our mom. For him, it was love at first sight. He often reminisced about hearing her heels clicking down the hallway, her short skirt, and that long brown hair. Mom’s friends lovingly dubbed him “Starry Larry”—which, let’s be honest, was probably a step up from the high school nickname his buddies gave him, “Sugar Lips.” (We’re not asking questions, Dad, but we all know you were a looker.)

Mom and Dad were married on August 11, 1973. They spent several more years in Kirksville, Missouri, enjoying weekends in Leonard, Missouri, where our mom grew up. After Mandy and Seth were born, they moved back to Winfield and had one more baby, Clint. Dad farmed with his brother and began working as an electrician’s apprentice before starting his own business, Haight’s Electric, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2020.

In addition to owning his own business, Dad was highly involved in so many things: Volunteer Firefighter, Little League Coach, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (Building & Grounds Committee, Old Threshers, Fall Auction), Twin Lakes Golf Course Board and Sunrise Terrace Board, and more recently, a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon, to name a few.

While Winfield was always a beloved place where he and mom raised us kids, Clint built them their dream home in Swisher, Iowa, in 2020—just two doors down from his own family home, 25 minutes from Mandy in Mt. Vernon, and an hour closer to Seth in Minneapolis. It was the perfect spot for them, with a spectacular view and plenty of space for Dad to do what he loved. He kept the deer well-fed and could often be found mowing the Orchard property, binoculars in hand, keeping tabs on his four-legged visitors.

Dad was one of the great ones. He was generous, fiercely loving, and always up for a good laugh—especially if the joke was slightly inappropriate. His cousin recently described his laugh as something that started all the way down in his toes, and his brother noted that he ‘never met a stranger.’  Both couldn’t be more true. His laugh was infectious, and he was the friendliest person you’d ever meet. He was young at heart, hardworking, and always the first to show up when we needed help—whether it was moving, fixing something around the house, or just making sure we never left home without a full tank of gas.

His greatest joy was his family, and nothing made him happier than watching his grandkids shine in whatever they did. And he adored our mom—he never missed a chance to remind her (and us) that she was “the prettiest one there” wherever they went. He also loved the weekends spent at our cabin in Oakville. We don’t think he’d say he had a single regret, except for maybe selling that ’69 Chevelle.

Even as cancer slowly took its toll, he stayed true to himself—loyal, helpful, and full of love for the people who meant the most to him. Dad, we know you weren’t ready to leave us, but we also know exactly where you are. You’re already getting settled, taking in the view from heaven, where the bucks are big, the fish are biting, and the pheasants line the fence rows. You’ve got the best seat in the house to cheer us on. We miss you already, Dad. We promise to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus—until we see you again.

Those grateful for sharing in Larry’s life include his wife, Susan (Peoples) Haight; his children, Amanda (John) Rhomberg, Seth (Annie) Haight, and Clint (Katie) Haight; and his eleven grandkids: Annie, Nelson, Sara, Jackson, Joey and Tommy Rhomberg; James, Ryder and Sam Haight; and Maxwell and Levi Haight. He also leaves behind his brother, Lon (Linda) Haight, along with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a whole lot of people who were blessed to have known him.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Rev Ross Epping and Rev Nick Adam will concelebrate the mass. Visitation will be held Monday, April 14, 2025, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory in Mount Pleasant, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm and the family will greet friends from 4:00 – 7:00pm. A general memorial fund has been established.

A private family burial will take place at a later date at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Leonard, Missouri. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Larry and his family.  www.powellfuneralhomes.com

New London Students to Give Back During Community Day on April 23

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 6:42 am CDT

New London, Iowa — Students at New London Middle School/High School are gearing up to show their appreciation for the community with a day of service on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. As part of Community Day, students will step outside the classroom to lend a hand across town, tackling a variety of outdoor projects for local residents.

The event is designed as a way for students to thank the community for its continued support of the school. Volunteers will be out in full force helping with tasks like raking leaves, washing windows, painting, picking up trash and rocks, doing light landscaping, and even assisting with small construction projects under adult supervision.

Residents in need of a helping hand are encouraged to contact the school. Requests can be made by calling the high school office at 319-367-0500 or by emailing Melissa Bence at Melissa.Bence@nlcsd.org.

Community Day promises to be a rewarding experience for both students and residents, highlighting the strong connection between New London schools and the people they serve.

Sports, April 14th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

Columbus, Danville, Mediapolis, and WACO participated in the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival over the weekend with five of our local athletes finishing on the podium by the meet’s end. For the Wildcats, Lamar Ceant and Alexander Rees took the top two spots in the 110-meter hurdles, with Ceant winning the race with a time of 14.9 seconds. On the girls’ side, Bella Forbes had the best performance with a 7th place throw of 34 feet and 2 inches in the shot put.

Danville’s Alaina Gourley took home the silver and bronze, claiming 2nd place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 58.6 seconds and 3rd place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 20 seconds. The boys’ team of Drake Biesler, Jaden Bauer, Kessler Whaley, and Noah Horn finished in 4th place in the sprint medley with a time of 1 minute and 37 seconds. 

For Mediapolis, Lathan Keller managed 3rd place in the boys high jump with a height of 6 feet and 2 inches. Bailey Jackson, Payton Harris, Kira Messer, and Josie Hutcheson took 6th in the girls 4×100 meter relay. Hayden Shelman of WACO leapt 19 feet and 1 inch to finish in 11th place in the boys long jump. 

Columbus will run at the Mike Kautz Invitational tonight at Lone Tree. 

The Mt. Pleasant, New London, Danville, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, Winfield-Mt. Union, Fairfield, West Burlington/Notre Dame and Central Lee girls’ teams will participate in the Pen City Relays tomorrow, April 15th.

The Wapello boys’ team will host their own relays tomorrow with Danville, Mediapolis, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip.

The New London boys’ team and WACO will compete in the Lisbon Opener tomorrow. 

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will host Fairfield tonight. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will square off against Burlington on Thursday, April 17th, on the road.

The Fairfield boys’ team will take on Davis County at home tomorrow, April 15th.

High School Golf

WACO will compete against Highland today at home.

Winfield-Mt. Union will tangle with Wapello today on the road. 

Danville will host Van Buren County today.

Central Lee will square off against Burlington Notre Dame today at home.

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team will face off against George-Little Rock today on the road. 

The boys’ SEC meet will take place in Keokuk, while the girls’ teams will travel to Fort Madison today. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team will compete in the Golden Hawk Invitational tomorrow, April 15th, at Kalona Golf Course. 

New London will host Central Lee tomorrow.

Columbus will head to New London on Wednesday, April 16th, for a tournament with Mediapolis making the trip.

High School Soccer

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Washington tonight with the boys at home starting at 4:30 pm and the girls on the road at 5 pm. Panther girls’ head coach Chris Davis talked about what he’s hoping to see from his team the rest of the year,

“We want to keep going with what we’re doing, you know, moving the ball. And just making positive plays and not and not getting down on ourselves. We’ve been lucky enough so far that we haven’t been behind yet this season. When that happens, we have to be able to make sure we’re mentally prepared.”

Fairfield will compete against Fort Madison tonight with the girls at home and the boys traveling to the Baxter Sports Complex.

The WACO boys’ team will host Danville tonight at 4:30 pm.

Mediapolis will take on Wapello at home tonight with girls playing first at 5 pm.

The Columbus boys’ team will hit the road tonight to take on Highland, while the girls’ team will have a road contest against Tipton tomorrow, April 15th, with both games at 5 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team will face off against Danville tomorrow at 5 pm on the road. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will host Quincy Notre Dame on April 22nd at 7 pm and the boys’ team will continue on their road series tomorrow at 5 pm against Fort Madison.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team collected a 3-1 record over the weekend, splitting their series against Iowa Western Community College and sweeping Southwestern Community College yesterday. In game one, the Blackhawks held off Iowa Western Community College to win 5-3 before being shutout 11-0 in game two. The squad handled business against Southwestern Community College yesterday 8-0 in game one and 5-4 in game two. The Blackhawks will compete in a doubleheader against Marshalltown Community College on the road on Friday, April 18th, with first pitch at 2 pm.

The baseball team dropped their weekend series to Iowa Western Community College, falling in game one 7-5 and game three 12-9. Jackson Petsche’s three-run home run in game two helped vault SCC over the Reivers 12-11. The Blackhawks will stay at home tomorrow, April 15th, against Illinois Central College at 4 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1910 – US President William Howard Taft begins the tradition of throwing the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day of baseball season.

1969 – First regular-season MLB game played outside the United States; the Montreal Expos beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 8-7.

1996 – Detroit Red Wings win a then-NHL record 62 games.

Dorothy D. Leichty

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 6:06 am CDT

Dorothy D. Leichty, 89, of Washington, went to be with the Lord after a short illness on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the University of Iowa Downtown Campus. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church in Washington with Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. The service will be available via Livestream on the Beatty Peterseim YouTube and Facebook pages. Burial will be held at 9:30 AM at the Bethel Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 4 – 7 PM at the First Baptist Church. A memorial fund has been established for the First Baptist Church or the United Presbyterian Home. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Dorothy Darlene (Schrock) Leichty was born July 29, 1935, in rural Kalona, the daughter of Levi C. and Vera (Gingerich) Schrock. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1953. On June 4, 1955, she was united in marriage to James Leichty at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. Dorothy loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. She was a homemaker and farmwife, raising six children, helping James with farm tasks, gardening, canning, and cooking. She attended the First Baptist Church in Washington and took part in the Wednesday morning ladies Bible study. Dorothy served on the board at Crowded Closet as well as volunteering there for many years. She enjoyed word searches, jigsaw puzzles and watching Hawkeye football and basketball. Her family was particularly important to her, and she cherished the time spent with them.

Survivors include her children: Joyce (Norman) Schrock of Kalona, IA, Loran (Chris) Leichty of Wayland, IA, Janice (Lynn)  Hostetler of Kalona, IA, Brenda (Tom) Roth of Dorchester, NE, Barbara (Ron) Jones of Middlebury, IN, Edward (Amy) Leichty of Archbold, OH; 15 grandchildren: Aaron (April) Schrock, Ryan (Sarah) Schrock, Carmen (Joe) Fernau, Katie Leichty, Erica (Frank) Slabaugh, Tony (Mary) Hostetler, Kerri (Dylan) Martin, Reggie (Payton) Hostetler, Darren Roth, Joel (Kaylee) Roth, Ross (Jenna) Jones, Andrew (Brianna) Jones, Spencer fiancé Haley) Jones, Jessica Bixler, and Parker Bixler, and 19 great-grandchildren: Tori, Kenna, Levi, Leah, Ruby, Sadie, Noah, Micah, Beckett, Leah, Hayes, Collins, Paxton and two on the way, Amos, Holly, Addie, Wyatt, Mia and Lily.

Preceding Dorothy in death were her parents, her husband James and two granddaughters: Amy and Mikayla Leichty.

House Happenings with Heather- District 92 Representative

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 5:52 am CDT
House Happenings with Heather
Highlights From This Past Week’s Legislative Session:

  • University of Iowa Day on the Hill
    • On Wednesday, we celebrated Hawkeye Caucus Day, where we heard from students, staff, and administrators about the research and learning happening on campus! Thanks for coming to advocate for your school!
  • Debate
    • It was a slower week at the Capitol, however we passed many important bills, including our annual SSA funding. Here is what the bill does:
      • Sets Supplemental State Aid (SSA) at 2% for FY26 for both the Regular Program and the Categorical Supplements.
      • Extends the Property Tax Relief Payment (PTRP) an additional year which has the state pick up any property tax growth in the Additional Levy portion of the school funding formula.
      • The State Cost Per Pupil (SCPP) amount on which the school aid formula is based increases to $7,988 which includes the additional $5 for the District Cost Per Pupil and is an increase of $162.
      • Raises Operational Sharing cap to 25.
      • Increases funding towards transportation equity by an additional 3%.
      • Transportation Equity: $1,554,938
      • Additional $5 dollars to SCPP: $2,889,174
      • Operational Sharing increase: $942,087
      • Below is a breakdown of the funding result of the bill:
  • House Ways & Means Committee Approves Farm to Table Meat Sales
    • On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the House Ways & Means Committee passed House File 179 unanimously.  The bill creates a new type of food processing entity that is licensed and inspected by the Department of Inspection, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) agents that can store officially processed packaged meat or poultry raised by the licensee and offered for sale at a premise or farm on a wholesale or retail basis.  The bill legalizes the on-farm storage of processed inspected packages and allows the sale on wholesale or retail basis for such packages by the producers.  The annual license/inspection fee level to be assessed upon on-farm meat and poultry production operations with wholesale or retail packaged sales is $75.  The measure further in a Code renumbering process strikes and replicates existing provisions applying to ‘small food processing premises’ that specify annual license/inspection fees of:
      • $150 if gross sales of processed and marketed meat is less than $200,000;
      • $300 is gross sales for is at least $200,000 but less than $2-million; and
      • $500 for operations with gross annual sales exceeding $2-million.
  • What Kind of Accountability Exists in the ESA Program? 
    • The Iowa Education Savings Account (ESA) program, established under the Students First Act,  includes several safeguards and accountability measures to prevent improper expenditures by recipients and schools. These measures ensure that funds are used appropriately for approved educational purposes while maintaining oversight and transparency. Below are the key safeguards and accountability mechanisms in place:
      • Administration by a Third-Party Entity:
        The Iowa Department of Education has contracted with Odyssey, a third-party administrator, to manage the ESA program. Odyssey handles applications, financial transactions, compliance, and fraud prevention. This external oversight helps ensure that funds are securely administered and that payments are processed only for verified, eligible expenses.
      • Restricted Use of Funds:
        ESA funds must first be used to pay tuition and fees at an accredited nonpublic school before any remaining balance can be applied to other qualified educational expenses, such as textbooks, tutoring, or educational therapies. This prioritization ensures that the primary purpose—supporting enrollment in accredited schools—is met before discretionary spending is allowed.
      • Approval and Verification Process:
        Parents or guardians must apply annually for an ESA, and applications are subject to verification processes. For example, residency and income (where applicable) are checked, often through automated systems like Iowa state tax return data. Once approved, families must designate the accredited nonpublic school their child will attend, and the school invoices the ESA account directly. Payments are only released after parental approval, keeping funds under state control until a legitimate expense is confirmed.
      • Enrollment and Payment Deadlines:
        To retain ESA funds, students must be enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school, and tuition and fees must be paid through the ESA portal by specific deadlines (e.g., September 30 for fall funds and February 1 for spring funds in the 2025-26 school year). If these conditions aren’t met, the student becomes ineligible, and the account is closed, with any remaining funds returned to the state’s general fund. This ensures funds are tied to active participation in an accredited educational setting.
      • Fraud Detection and Penalties:
        The program includes provisions to address fraudulent use of funds. If funds are improperly obtained or spent, the Department of Education or Odyssey can recover those amounts from the parent or guardian, including through legal action if necessary. Parents or guardians found to have committed fraud are barred from future participation in the program, serving as a deterrent against misuse.
      • Closure of Unused Accounts:
        When a student graduates high school or turns 20 (whichever comes first), any remaining funds in their ESA account are transferred back to the state’s general fund. This prevents indefinite retention of unused public money and ensures it is redirected to other state priorities.
      • Accreditation Requirement for Schools:
        Only accredited nonpublic schools can participate in the ESA program. This requirement ensures that schools meet certain educational standards, providing a baseline of accountability for the institutions receiving ESA funds. Home-based education and unaccredited programs are explicitly excluded from eligibility.
      • Annual Application Requirement:
        Families must reapply each year to continue participating, which allows the state to reassess eligibility and monitor ongoing compliance. This recurring process helps prevent long-term misuse by requiring regular updates and verification.
    • What are the qualified educational expenses?
      • Tuition and Fees at an Accredited Nonpublic School: 
        This is the mandatory first use of ESA funds. It includes costs associated with enrolling a student in an accredited private school in Iowa, such as tuition, registration fees, or other mandatory school fees.
      • Textbooks: 
        Funds can cover the cost of textbooks required for coursework or related to the student’s education, whether purchased new, used, or rented.
      • Tutoring Services: 
        Payments for one-on-one or small-group tutoring are allowed, provided the tutor is a licensed educator or a professional qualified to offer academic support.
      • Educational Software or Online Learning Programs: 
        Expenses for software, apps, or online courses that supplement the student’s education, such as math or language learning platforms, are permitted.
      • Curriculum Materials: 
        Costs for curricula or instructional materials directly tied to the student’s educational needs, such as workbooks or lesson plans, qualify.
      • Fees for Standardized Tests: 
        This includes fees for national or state-recognized assessments (e.g., ACT, SAT, Iowa Assessments) that measure academic progress or are required for college admission.
      • Educational Therapies: 
        Services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other specialized interventions are covered if provided by a licensed practitioner and deemed necessary for the student’s educational progress.
      • Transportation Services: 
        Limited to transportation provided by a school or a contracted service to get the student to and from the accredited nonpublic school. This does not include personal vehicle expenses or reimbursements for parental driving.
      • Fees for Extracurricular Activities: 
        Costs for school-sponsored extracurriculars (e.g., sports, music, or clubs) may qualify if they are offered through the accredited nonpublic school and tied to the student’s enrollment.
      • Other Approved Expenses: 
        The Iowa Department of Education may specify additional allowable expenses through administrative rules, but these must align with the program’s educational focus. For example, certain supplies or equipment directly tied to coursework (like lab materials) might be included.
      • Key Restrictions:
        • Funds cannot be used for general living expenses, entertainment, or non-educational items (e.g., toys, electronics not tied to coursework).
        • Expenses must be verified and approved through the ESA portal managed by Odyssey, the third-party administrator, ensuring that only legitimate educational costs are reimbursed or paid.
        • Home-schooling expenses or costs associated with unaccredited programs are explicitly excluded, as the program is tied to enrollment in accredited nonpublic schools.
        • Parents access these funds via a digital wallet in the Odyssey platform, where they submit and approve expenses, adding a layer of oversight to prevent misuse.
      • Is the ESA program audited?
        • The Iowa Department of Education, which oversees the ESA program, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Students First Act.  As a state agency managing public funds, it is subject to audits by the Iowa State Auditor’s Office. The State Auditor has the authority to examine state programs, including the ESA, to verify that funds are being spent appropriately and in accordance with Iowa law.
        • Odyssey handles day-to-day operations, including processing payments, verifying expenses, and monitoring for fraud. As part of its contract, Odyssey is required to maintain auditable records of all transactions and compliance activities. The Department of Education has the authority to audit Odyssey’s performance to ensure it adheres to state guidelines, such as approving only qualified educational expenses and safeguarding against improper expenditures.
        • These measures balance flexibility for families with oversight to protect public funds. The use of a third-party administrator, strict eligibility and expenditure rules, and mechanisms for recovery and penalties create a framework intended to minimize improper use by both recipients and schools.
      • Does the state spend more on ESA’s than on public K-12 schools?
        • I shared this chart with you a few weeks ago, but I wanted to include it for context as we are discussing the ESA program.
  • Attorney General Brenna Bird Releases a List of Scams Impacting Iowans in 2024
    • Attorney General Brenna Bird released a list of the top reported scams and complaints from 2024. While it’s easy to think you will never be a victim, knowing about these common issues can help keep you and your family from losing money and falling prey to these unscrupulous individuals.
      • Automotive complaints (623 complaints)- this includes faulty repair work, failure to disclose prior damage, and warranty complaints.To avoid issues like this work with reputable dealers, automotive repair companies, and do your own investigation before buying a car or hiring a mechanic.
      • Internet (593 complaints)- including social media accounts being hacked, technical support scams, and unsolicited emails. Don’t share your password with others, and don’t provide account information over the phone.Reach out to the Attorney General’s office to get help with an account that has been locked or hacked.
      • Imposter scams (376 complaints)-fake jobs, online shopping scams, romance scams, Government scams, and more. Be wary of any unsolicited messages, don’t pay people through electronic means if you have not met them, and remember Government agencies will not ask for payment over the phone or through gift cards or cryptocurrency means.
      • Home improvement (332 complaints)- home improvement complaints include trouble with contractors starting or completing jobs, poor work quality, and problems with solar panels. The Attorney General recommends that consumers request itemized estimates of expected work, research contractors, and avoid paying large sums of money before work is completed.
      • Personal goods (209 complaints)- these were general complaints about items like food, and clothing purchased in store and online. Consumers can always reach out to the Attorney Generals office with complaints about these types of goods.
    • If you, or a family member has fallen for any of these scams, reach out to the Attorney General’s office for assistance. You can call 1-888-777-4590  or fill out an online complaint  https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers/file-a-consumer-complaint.
Representative Lawler and I welcoming Herky on the House Floor! Thanks for stopping by!
I always love welcoming and giving a tour of the Capitol to constituents! Here is the Bontrager family that Senator Driscoll and I welcomed in the House Chamber! Thank you for stopping by!
Contact Me

  • I am so thankful to be your District 92 Representative and I am always looking to hear from you all! Please reach out to me at heather.hora@legis.iowa.gov

Have a great week!

MPCSD Meeting Agenda 4.14.25

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 5:46 am CDT
Meeting Agenda
1. Call To Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Student Spotlight
5. Citizen Comments
6. Approval of Minutes, Claims and Financial Report
7. Reports
a. Instructional Services: Counseling Services
b. Superintendent’s Report
1. Facilities Master Plan Schedule and Survey Update
2. Director District #2 Special Election Dates/Details
3. Transportation Facility Update
4. Prom and Graduation Update – Mr. Wilson
5. Legislative Update
c. Board Committee Reports
1. Finance Committee
2. Site/Policy Committee
8. Other Board Communications
9. Consent Items
a. Personnel
b. Open Enrollment
10. Unfinished Business
11. New Business
a. Consideration to Approve FY26 Certified Budget (Motion)
b. Consideration to Approve Second Reading of School Board Policy 900 Series, Community Relations (Motion)
c. Consideration to Approve Second Reading of School Board Policy 402.04, Gifts to Employees (Motion)
d. Consideration to Approve Second Reading of School Board Policy 208, Ad Hoc Committees (Motion)
e. Consideration to Approve Technology Lease Purchase Agreement
1. Approval of Schedule No. 3, dated May 1, 2025, to the Master Lease Purchase Agreement Between Apple Inc., as Lessor, and Mount Pleasant Community School District, as Lessee, Dated April 26, 2019, Including Amendments No. 1 and Exhibits
f. Consideration to Approve 25-26 Agreement with Four Oaks Student and Family Services (Motion)
g. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Student Registration Fees (Motion)
h. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Hot Lunch/Breakfast Prices (Motion)
i. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Substitute Teacher Pay (Motion)
j. Consideration to Approve Transportation Facility Change Orders (Motion)
k. Consideration to Approve FY26 Construction/Penny Sales Tax Spending Plan (Motion)
l. Consideration to Approve Bus Camera Quote (Motion)
m. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Open Enrollment Application (Motion)
n. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Open Enrollment Application (Motion)
o. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Open Enrollment Application (Motion)
p. Consideration to Approve Overnight Trip Request – JV/V Baseball on June 13, 2025
q. Closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) “to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”
r. Consideration of Employee Resignation Agreement (Motion)
s. Negotiations Strategy Pursuant to Iowa Code 20.17(3) (Exempt from Open Meetings Law)
t. Consideration to Approve 2025-2026 Master Contract Agreement with Mount Pleasant Education Association (Motion)
12. Adjournment

Mount Pleasant School Board to Hold Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting April 14

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 5:37 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing and regular meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, at the Mount Pleasant High School Media Center, 2104 South Grand Avenue. The FY26 Certified Budget Public Hearing will begin at 6:01 PM, followed immediately by the board’s regular session.

The agenda includes a student spotlight, citizen comments, financial approvals, and updates on the facilities master plan, transportation, graduation, and legislative news. Board committees will report, and the board will consider several action items, including the FY26 budget approval, board policy updates, a new technology lease with Apple, student services contracts, and decisions on student fees, lunch prices, and substitute pay.

Additional items include a closed session to evaluate an individual staff member and an exempt session on negotiation strategy. The board is also expected to approve the 2025–26 master contract with the Mount Pleasant Education Association.

Community members are encouraged to attend. The full agenda is available at www.mtpcsd.org.