Mount Pleasant School Board Meeting Agenda: December 9th 6pm

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. Professional Services
i. Health Services Update – Jennifer Striegel and Taylor Ramer
b. Superintendent’s Report
i. School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) – December 4
ii. FY26 New Money Calculations
iii. Four Oaks Fall Book Study Information
iv. IASB November 2024 School Bond Vote Results
v. Website Design Proposals
vi. Master Planning Update – December 12, 2pm – 4pm
vii. Howe Activity Center Gymnasium Floor Update
viii. Legislative Update
ix. Day on the Hill – January 26 and 27
x. No Work Session in December
c. Board Committee Reports
i. Finance Committee
ii. 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 Lease with Mount Pleasant Childcare (Motion)
b. Consideration to Approve School Bus Purchase (Motion)
c. Consideration to Approve Mount Pleasant Education Foundation Board Members (Motion)
d. Consideration to Approve Modified Allowable Growth Request (Motion)
i. Increased Enrollment
ii. Current Year Open Enrollment
iii. ELL Beyond 5 Years
e. Consideration to Approve Roof Top Unit Engineering Design Proposal (Motion)
f. Consideration to Approve Closing Inactive 5 Star Credit Union Account (Motion)
g. Second Reading of Board Policy 703.12 Bids and Quotes (Motion)
h. Open School Board Policy Series 800 Buildings and Sites for Review
i. Consideration to Approve Middle School iJAG Fundraiser (Motion)
j. Consideration to Approve High School Prom Fundraiser (Motion)
12. Adjournment

Letha Sher Brown

Letha Sher Brown, 55, of Danville, died Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at home.  She was born August 23, 1969 in Burlington to David Franklin and Susan Alene Small Brown.

She attended New London Schools. She worked at Motorola/Celestica and then earned a nursing degree at Southeastern Community College and worked as a traveling nurse for several years.  Letha enjoyed traveling, reading, doing word puzzles, watching movies, and always had a dog companion.  She especially loved her special time with her granddaughter.

Survivors include her son Jonny Salvador of Mediapolis; granddaughter Thea Jordan; her father David (Kathy) Brown of rural Danville; her mother Susan Brown of Florida; and her brother Shannon (Heidi) Brown of Texas.  She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Lyle Eugene Litton

Lyle Eugene Litton, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, December 6, 2024 at New London Specialty Care.  He was born July 20, 1947 in Mt. Pleasant to Arthur Burton and Dorothy Agnes Mallams Litton.  He attended Pleasant Lawn Grade School and was a 1966 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.

He farmed and raised livestock on the family farm all of his life.  He enjoyed raising a garden and canning the produce; cooking; and watching football games on TV.  Lyle loved pies with tons of fruit in them.  He was a very good neighbor and took pride in keeping his yard mowed and looking nice.  After his father passed, he took care of his mother so she was able to stay on the farm.  In his later years he treasured the companionship of his dogs Dozer and Violet.  Once or twice a year he enjoyed getting together to visit with his brother and sister in Oskaloosa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Walter Litton and his wife Darla; and his sister Betty Litton.  He is survived by good friends.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated.  Visitation at Elliott Chapel in New London will begin at 10:30 am, Friday, December 13, 2024 with a procession leaving at 11:30 for a graveside inurnment at Glasgow Cemetery, Glasgow, Iowa.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Mount Pleasant Officer Injured in Early Morning Altercation

On 12/09/2024 at 3:45am, Mount Pleasant Police Officers responded to 709 South Main Street for a report of a disturbance between two subjects.

Contact was made with two male subjects identified as 29-year-old Isaiah Sanchez of Mount Pleasant and 21-year-old Mathew Osborn of Mount Pleasant. After an investigation was conducted it was determined that Isaiah and Mathew who reside together, engaged in physical altercation leaving each other with injuries.

Mathew was placed under arrest without incident.

Isaiah resisted with officers after an attempt to be placed under arrest. A taser was deployed on Isaiah and eventually was taken into custody after a continued physical struggle, injuring one officer.

Isaiah was assessed by the Henry County Health Center Emergency Medical Services on scene then transported to the Henry County Jail. Mathew was transported to the Henry County Jail as well.

The injured officer was assessed by HCHC EMS and staff at the HCHC Emergency room for non-life-threatening injuries and was later cleared and released.

Isaiah is being criminally charged with Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense (simple misdemeanor, Interference with Official Acts (simple misdemeanor), Interference with Official Acts causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor)

Mathew is being criminally charged with Domestic Abuse Assault 1st Offense (simple misdemeanor)

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Henry County Sheriffs Office and Henry County Health Center Emergency Medical Services.

A criminal charge is an accusation until proven guilty

Keokuk PD Needs Help With Hit-and-Run In Keokuk

In the early morning hours of Saturday December 7th, a hit-and-run collision took place in the 1300 block of High Street.

The at-fault vehicle has been identified as a white 2016 Ford Edge which would have significant damage to the front passenger side.

Keokuk Police Department is asking for assistance in identifying the owner or driver of this vehicle.

If you have any information regarding this event or, see a vehicle matching this description with the aforementioned damage, please contact Keokuk Police Department at 319-524-2741.

Henry County Conservation Invites You On A Constellation Walk

Henry County Conservation department stopped by the KILJ studios to talk about a few events coming up

Kendall is a Naturalist instructor at the Oakland mills conservation center, and tells us about a trivia night held this Friday the 13th.

If being out in nature is more your speed, you can join Kendall outside for a constellation walk on December 19th.

The Oakland Mills Conservation Center will be making an announcement soon about their New Years Walk on December 31st.

Visit MyCountyParks.com for more information about the classes, or stop by the conservation center.

“Walk With Ease” With Healthy Henry County

Healthy Henry County has started a free program to start the new year off with a healthy walking routine. Walk With Ease will get Henry County residents a chance to stay active this winter and have a space inside to exercise and walk.

Amy Martin, a Henry County Public Health Nurse talks about Walk With Ease

Walking can help strengthen the muscles around your joints, which can reduce pain and shift pressure away from your joints. Walking also increases blood circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your joints and decreases arthritis.

Amy talks about how you can participate in walk with ease.

Walk with Ease will meet weekly at Calvary Baptist church from 10am to 11am on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday’s.

You can call Henry County Public Health at 319.385.0779 for more information on Walk With Ease.

Sports, December 9th

High School Basketball

Central Lee hosted a shootout over the weekend as Winfield-Mt. Union and West Burlington both made the trip and here’s how our local teams fared. The Hawks’ boys’ team played Mendon close but suffered a 53-51 loss. Owen Swan led the effort with 23 points. Columbus will hit the road to take on Central Lee tonight with the girls’ tipping off the night at 6 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team, missing three of their five starters, struggled against Mendon over the weekend, losing 52-21. Kynlee Buffington put together a double-double performance with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while denying seven shots. The boys’ team followed suit against Centerville, falling 58-42, despite a 24 point effort by Jake Edwards. The Wolves will start a three-game homestand tomorrow, December 10th, against Hillcrest Academy with game one at 6 pm. 

The West Burlington boys’ team’s offense continued to fire on all cylinders, shooting over 50% from the field in a 76-59 win over Canton. The offensive production was headlined by Mason Watkins with 37 points. The girls’ team completed the sweep with a 41-25 victory over West Prairie. Van Buren County will travel to West Burlington tomorrow with game one at 6 pm.

The Danville boys’ team picked up their first win of the season over the weekend in a dominating 67-35 performance against Wapello. The Bears will compete against Louisa-Muscatine tonight on the road at 7:30 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team will travel to Fort Madison tonight at 7 pm. 

The Wapello boys’ team will take on Lone Tree tomorrow at home, while the girls’ team will face off against Prince of Peace tonight at 6:30 pm on the road.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 7:30 pm. Head coach Eric Rawson knows this will be a tough matchup against the Nikes,

“Yeah, they got two really good guards about 6’4. Can shoot. They can score at all three levels. They pressure in the full court. They’re a good team, well coached. It’ll be a fun one.”

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will head south to compete against Holy Trinity Catholic tonight with game time at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

Mediapolis will host Wilton tonight with the girls starting off the night at 6 pm. 

Fairfield will face off against Ottumwa tomorrow on the road with the girls’ tipping off at 6:15 pm.

WACO will stay at home to play Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow with the boys’ following the girls game at 7:30. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ team will take on West Burlington on Friday, December 13th, at 7:30 pm on the road. 

New London will take on Burlington Notre Dame at home on Friday with the girls playing first at 6 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Fairfield boys’ team competed in the Bob Murphy Invitational over the weekend and Cael McCabe was the lone champion for the Trojans, winning the 113-pound weight class in a 1-0 decision over Cale Johnson of Central DeWitt. Dain Burkhart lost by major decision in the 175-pound championship match to finish as the runner-up. The Trojans will face off against Washington on Thursday, December 12th, at home. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team traveled up to Williamsburg to compete in the Raidel duals, defeating Pella 44-32, but falling to the hosts 55-18 and Center Point-Urbana 39-38. Dakota Aney and Alex Venzor went undefeated for the weekend. The Wildcats will compete in a double dual on Thursday at home with Burlington Notre Dame in attendance. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team finished 2-2 at the Dick Mellinger Invitational over the weekend, defeating Keokuk 50-24 and Burlington 45-29. Lane Rigdon, Peyton Johnson, and Kyler Crow each finished 4-0 for the Bulldogs. Mediapolis will compete at the Tiger Duals on Saturday, December 14th, at Grinnell.

The Wapello boys’ team hosted the 60th annual Willard Howell Invitational over the weekend with Mt. Pleasant and WACO both making the trip. For the Panthers, Levi Evans and Ramzy Davis each grabbed 2nd place for their respective weight classes to lead the team. Wapello’s Cohen Wolford grabbed the silver in the 144-pound weight class. Lastly, Ian Maize, Gage Samo, and Louden Huisenga each finished with the gold for WACO. 

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Keokuk on Thursday. 

WACO will head to Tri-County for their invitational on Saturday.

The New London boys’ team saw their first action of the season in their Jeremy Fulk Classic over the weekend and had five wrestlers grab first place in their weight class. Kane Forseen won the 126-pound weight class by technical fall, while Gage Burden and Gavin Menke-Bailey each won their championship match by fall. Corbin Jacobs-Jewell won the 144-pound weight class in a thrilling 16-15 decision and Killian Kelly won by major decision in the 157-pound weight class. Liam Garvey grabbed 2nd place in the 190-pound weight class. The Tigers will host a quad with Wapello attending on Thursday.

The Wapello girls’ team hosted their 3rd Willard Howell Invite and had Kenadee Helscher grab the gold in the 100-pound weight class and Clara Ball finish as the runner-up in the 110-pound weight class. 

Mt. Pleasant’s Zenlynn Lee continued her dominant start to the season with a 3-0 performance and a win by fall in the 145-pound championship match. Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union had Jada Moats take 3rd place. Lastly, Elyssa Graber of WACO grabbed 3rd place in the 105-pound weight class. 

The Panthers, Warriors, and Arrows will compete in the Raider Girls Invitational tonight at Williamsburg. 

The Wildcats will travel to Pekin for the Bill Rex Invite tonight with Fairfield also making the trip. 

High School Bowling

Fairfield will hit the road to duel Davis County today.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Keokuk on Thursday, December 12th, at home.

Southeastern Community College

The #11 men’s basketball team crushed Kennedy-King College over the weekend 83-62. The Blackhawks will participate in the Highland tournament on Friday, December 13th. 

College Football

Turnovers spelled the end of #18 Iowa State’s playoff hopes as Arizona State ran away with the Big 12 championship in a 45-19 final. Rocco Becht tossed for two touchdowns in the loss. The Cyclones will face off against #16 Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl on December 28th at 2:30 pm in Orlando. 

Iowa will take on #19 Missouri for the Music City Bowl on December 30th in Nashville at 1:30 pm. The Hawkeyes defeated Kentucky 21-0 in the 2022 Music City Bowl. 

College Basketball

The #6 Iowa State men’s team hammered Jackson State yesterday 100-58. Curtis Jones led the scoring with 19 points, while Joshua Jefferson grabbed 13 boards to go along with 10 points for a double-double. 

The Iowa men’s team got a taste of their own medicine, finishing on the wrong side of a last second shot in an 85-83 loss to Michigan on Saturday. Payton Sandfort cashed in for 19 points in the losing effort. The Hawkeyes will host the Cy-Hawk Series on Thursday, December 12th, at 6:30 pm. 

The #20 Iowa State women’s team never had to sweat Central Michigan over the weekend in an 82-56 win. Audi Crooks tallied a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. 

The #17 Iowa women’s team was handed their first loss of the season against Tennessee over the weekend in a 78-68 final. Lucy Olsen collected 23 points in the game. The Hawkeyes will take on Iowa State at home for the Cy-Hawk Series on Wednesday, December 11th, at 8 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1935 – The first Heisman Trophy Award: Jay Berwanger, University of Chicago (HB). 

1984 – Los Angeles Ram Eric Dickerson rushes for 215 yards for the season record 2,105 yards. 

2021 – Chicago Blackhawks Marc-Andre Fleury becomes the third NHL goaltender to reach 500 career wins in 2-0 shut-out over the Canadiens at Montreal.