At last night’s school board meeting, “Citizens for Change” a group of concerned parents and community members spoke to the board members for fifteen minutes about their raised concerns towards academic performance, transparency, school closures, and teacher retention.

It was mentioned that that middle and high school results are below state averages, while local elementary schools like Salem elementary (which faces closure) have outperformed other schools in the district. They also expressed concern over declining enrollment since 2018, urging the board to prioritize academic improvements to attract and retain students.

A major point of discussion was transparency. Many attendees felt the district had not adequately communicated decisions regarding school closures and facility changes. Some questioned whether relocating early childhood programs would actually expand resources or simply shift them. Others criticized the district for not informing taxpayers sooner about the purchase of buildings at Iowa Wesleyan university.

Teacher retention was also a pressing issue, with concerns that high turnover disrupts student learning and increases financial strain due to recruitment and training costs. Attendees also questioned whether the district could effectively maintain both new and existing facilities.

Safety and logistics were additional concerns, particularly regarding increased traffic congestion, railroad crossings near school sites, and emergency response challenges. Some worried that consolidating students into fewer buildings could pose additional risks.

As the meeting concluded, “Citizens for Change” urged the board to focus on academic success, preserve neighborhood schools as an option, and ensure greater transparency in decision-making. Many emphasized the need for more public involvement in shaping the future of the district.

The Mount Pleasant school board met Monday evening to discuss key updates, policy changes, and budget decisions impacting the district. Discussions covered facility planning, a technology lease agreement, legislative proposals, and adjustments to the school year calendar.

Leadership Transition

The board approved several personnel changes within the district during their meeting. One change noted on the document, Dalton Stone will take over as High School Principal in July 2025, following the retirement of Mike Wilson in July.

Budget and Tax Rate Proposal

A public hearing on the district’s budget is set for March 24th. The proposed tax rate for the next fiscal year is $11.97 per $1,000 of taxable property, down from $12.23 this year and $14 in prior years.

Building and Grounds Projects

A $1 million proposal for building and grounds improvements remains under review. The site committee has evaluated repair and upgrade estimates, with further discussion scheduled for the March 24 work session.

School Year Calendar Adjustments

Following 26.75 hours of weather-related closures, the district has made calendar changes to meet the required 1,080 instructional hours:

• May 30 will be a full school day.
• May 9 and May 23 will also be full days instead of early dismissals.
• If additional closures occur, school may extend to June 2.
• Staff contract days will now run through June 2 and June 3.

Board Policy Updates and Other Business

The board is aligning policies with the Iowa Association of School Boards, including updates to the 900 Series on community relations and employee regulations.

Additionally, the Central Office Lease Agreement was renewed for another year with a rent increase, and updates were approved for the 2024-2025 school calendar to reflect instructional hour requirements.

The next board meeting will be a public hearing on March 24, and will focus on the Budget estimates.

A group of talented fifth-grade students presented to Board members at the recent school board meeting, showcasing their achievements and innovative learning experiences in the PLUS program. The Student Spotlight segment featured 12 students who presented a slideshow highlighting their academic projects, problem-solving strategies, and aspirations for the future. Each student shared their unique experiences and insights, offering a glimpse into the engaging and challenging learning environment they have embraced.

Exploring Advanced Learning Opportunities

Students discussed various educational activities, including an accelerated math program that allows them to work ahead while ensuring their peers have time to catch up. A significant highlight was their participation in a language-learning initiative, where they selected Spanish as their focus. Utilizing online resources and interactive apps, they have been expanding their linguistic skills beyond the traditional curriculum.

Hands-On Projects and Career Exploration

Several students spoke about research-based projects that encouraged them to explore potential career paths. One student detailed their interest in becoming an agricultural specialist, influenced by their family background. Another student expressed enthusiasm for data science, citing their love for numbers and problem-solving.

The students also engaged in creative engineering projects, where they designed and tested structures using paper and other materials. “We worked on prototyping and problem-solving, which are skills we’ll need in the future,” a student noted.

Mathematics and Competitive Spirit

An exciting aspect of the presentation was the students’ involvement in a math competition, which tests their skills against peers from across the country. “It’s a great way to challenge ourselves and apply everything we’ve learned,” one participant shared. The students meet weekly to prepare for the competition, working on complex problem-solving techniques and teamwork strategies.

Room for Improvement

While the students expressed gratitude for their learning experiences, they also voiced suggestions for enhancements. They advocated for more dedicated learning spaces tailored to their age group, as working alongside younger students sometimes leads to distractions. Additionally, they proposed increasing school days to allow for more in-depth learning and suggested expanding library resources to better support advanced study materials.

A Bright Future Ahead

As the presentation concluded, board members and attendees applauded the students for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm for learning. Their ability to articulate their goals and aspirations demonstrated the impact of an engaging and supportive educational environment.

The Henry County Democrats will hold their Spring Meeting and Democratic Caucus on Saturday, March 22, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church, located at 309 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Attendees should use the west entrance, which is disability accessible.

During the event, party members will hear from officers on key issues, elect leadership and precinct committee members, discuss platform resolutions, and plan for the remainder of the year.

The caucus is open to all registered Democrats residing in Henry County, and same-day registration will be available on-site.

For more information, attendees can visit the Henry County Democrats’ official website or contact local party representatives.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa, [March 10, 2025] – Applications are currently being accepted for the  scholarship/loan program through the Friends of Henry County Health Center.

The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage education and future employment in a healthcare field at Henry County Health Center. Applicants must be residents of Henry County, HCHC associates, or a family member of an HCHC associate.

The program is designated as a scholarship/loan because the recipient will be required to work at HCHC pending completion of course work, certification, and availability of employment. The scholarship/loan amount will be forgiven over a specified period of employment.

Applications are available at www.henrycountysoldiersandsailors.com/friends-of-hchc.com, the HCHC Information Desk in the front lobby, high schools located in Henry County, Southeastern Community College, Indian Hills Community College, Mt. Mercy College, or Kirkwood Community College.

Applicants may enroll in a program of their choice and at the college of their choice; however, the scholarship committee reserves the right to review the program. Funds may be used to pay for tuition, books, and other educational expenses.

Completed applications are due by Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5pm, and may be turned into the HCHC Public Information Department, 407 S. White Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641,  or emailed to kheerdt@greatriverhealth.org.

The Friends of HCHC initiated the scholarship/loan program in 1979 to offer financial assistance to students enrolled in a health care field of study.  Numerous scholarships have been awarded to area students in hospital service areas such as nursing, emergency care, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, health information management and pharmacy. Friends of Henry County Health Center sponsor an annual soup supper in early November to help fund the scholarship. This year’s Soup Supper is scheduled for Friday, November 8th.

For more scholarship information, call 319-385-6524.