90 Year Old Man Ejected from Vehicle Following Collision Near Wever

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 10:28 am CDT

A 90-year old man died as a result of a two-vehicle accident on Friday. Allen Heisel from Burlington was driving a pickup truck Northbound on US61 near 165th St. His vehicle was then struck from behind by a teenage driver in an SUV, causing Heisel to eject from his vehicle around 5:31pm. Allen was not wearing a seatbelt. He was then transported to the Lunning Funeral Chapel. The teenage driver was transported to the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center with injuries.

This accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Donnellson-West Point Police Department, Wever Fire Department, and Lee County EMS.

Central Lee Communnity School District Meeting Agenda 05/14

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 8:13 am CDT

CENTRAL LEE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

DONNELLSON, IOWA 52625

(EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CENTER)

TENTATIVE AGENDA                                                                                MAY 14, 2024

PRECEEDING THE REGULAR MEETING AN EXEMPT SESSION WILL BE HELD TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATIONS AS PROVIDED IN IOWA CODE 201.7.

REGULAR MEETING

7:00 A.M.

  1. Roll Call
  2. Approve agenda
  3. Receive Visitors:
    1. Visitors to speak about items not on the agenda
    2. Art Presentation
    3. National Teacher Appreciation Week
    4. Iowa School Board Recognition Week
    5. Honor Landon Rudd, Student Board Representative
  4. Superintendent’s Report:
    1. Student Board Representative Interviews
    2. Summer Board Meeting Schedule (June 11, July 9, August 13)
    3. Graduation Events Schedule
    4. Finance Update
    5. Legislative Update
    6. IASB Membership
    7. Vacancies
  5. CONSENT AGENDA: (Exhibit I) (Motion)
    1. Financial Reports: General and Schoolhouse funds, Clearing account, Hot Lunch account
    2. Approve prepaid bills
    3. Approve monthly bills
    4. Approve minutes
    5. Approve/Deny open enrollment requests
    6. Overnight Trip requests

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Approve Elementary Science of Reading Curriculum Purchase (Exhibit II)(Motion)
  2. Approve June 30th, 2024 Retirement Date and Unused Accumulated Sick Leave Pay Out

Request Payable by June 30th, 2024: (Motion)

  1. a) Sandra Meierotto – Board Secretary/SBO
  2. Rescind Previous Payout Request Dated 1/24/2024 for Retiree Kim Myers (Motion)
  3. Approve FY2024-2025 Contracts for Staff: (Exhibit III) (Motion)
    1. CLEA Contracts
    2. Non-Certified Contracts
    3. Administrative Contracts
  4. First Reading of Board Policies 400 Series (Motion)
  5. First Reading of Board Policies: (Exhibit IV) (Motion)
    1. 5 – Student Fund Raising (Rescinded)
    2. 5RI – Student Fund Raising Regulation (Rescinded)
    3. 08R1 – Special Health Services Regulation
  6. First Reading of Board Policies: (Exhibit V) (Motion)
    1. 01 – Local-State-Federal-Miscellaneous Revenue
    2. 06 – Fundraising Within The District (formerly titled Online Fundraising

Campaigns/Crowdfunding

  1. New 704.06R1 – Fundraising Within the District Regulation
  2. 01 – Payroll Periods
  3. 02 – Payroll Deductions
  4. 03 – Reduction in Employee Pay (formerly titled Pay Deductions)
  5. 03R1 – Reduction in Employee Pay Regulation
  6. 01 – Presentation and Publication of Financial Reports and Information (formerly titled Secretary’s Report)
  7. 02 – Treasurer’s Annual Report (Rescinded)
  8. 03 – Publication of Financial Reports
  9. 04 – Audit
  10. 06 – Audit Committee
  1. First Reading of Board Policy 802.4 Capital Assets (Exhibit VI) (Motion)
  2. Activity Account Interest Distribution (Motion)
  3. Class of 2024 Activity Account Distribution (Motion)
  4. Approval of 2024 Graduating Senior Class (Exhibit VII) (Motion)
  5. Approve 28E Agreement for School Resource Officer (Exhibit VIII) (Motion)
  6. Approve 2024-2025 Certified Employee Handbook Modifications (Exhibit IX) (Motion)
  7. Approve School Safety Grant Purchases (Exhibit X)(Motion)
  8. Approve Summer Food Service Plan & Compensation for Employees (Exhibit XI) (Motion)
  9. Approve Resolution Authorizing and Approving the Execution and Delivery of a Master Lease Purchase Agreement; and Approving the Execution and Delivery of Schedule No. 3 to the Master Lease Purchase Agreement (Exhibit XII) (Motion) (Roll Call Vote)
  10. Set FY2023-2024 Budget Amendment Hearing Date May 29th, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.:

(Exhibit XIII) (Motion) (Roll Call Vote)

  1. Resignations: (Effective End of 2023-2024): (Motion)
    1. Tony Johnson – Instructor, Middle School Boys Track
    2. Sarah Kruse – Middle School Boys Track Coach
  2. Contract Approvals: (Motion)
    1. Amanda Finch – Custodian (Effective 5/28/2024)
    2. Jonny Swanson – Head Boys’ Basketball Coach (Effective 2024-2025)
    3. Jake Fraise – Middle School Baseball Coach (Effective 2023-2024)
    4. Alexis Clark – Instructor (Effective 2024-2025)
    5. Danielle Gilpin – Instructor (Effective 2024-2025)
    6. Ashley Counts – Instructor (Effective 2024-2025)
  3. Volunteer Coach Approvals: (Motion)
    1. Jesse Day – Middle School and High School Baseball
    2. Lane Weirather – High School Baseball
  4. Transfer: (Effective 2024-2025): (Motion)
    1. Tyler Bryant – Middle School Instructor to High School PE Instructor
  5. Board Reports
  6. Adjourn (Motion)

Mt. Pleasant Community School Board Meeting Agenda 05/13

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 8:11 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community School Board will meet in regular session at 6:00pm in the High School Media Center on May 13th, 2024. This meeting is open to the public.

Meeting Agenda
1. Call To Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Public Hearing: FY24 Certified Budget Amendment
5. Citizen Comments
6. Approval of Minutes, Claims and Financial Report
7. Reports
a. District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP) – Dr. Butler and Sasha Steele, HS Counselor
b. Superintendent’s Report
i. Grade-Alike Elementary School Update
ii. Bus Garage/Central Receiving/Buildings and Grounds Facilities Update
iii. Chapel Repair Update
iv. May 8 SIAC Meeting
v. Property/Casualty Insurance Renewal – June 6 @ 5pm
vi. IASB Summit on Student Success – June 11, Ankeny, IA
vii. Class of 2024 Graduation – Sunday, May 19 @ 2:30pm
viii. May 16 Mentoring and Induction Colloquium – HS Media Center @ 3:30pm
ix. Master Planning Update
c. Board Committee Reports
i. Finance Committee
ii. Site Committee
iii. Policy Commitee
8. Other Board Communications
9. Consent Items
a. Personnel
b. Open Enrollment
10. Unfinished Business
11. New Business
a. Set Public Hearing to Consider Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Estimated Costs of Transportation and Storage Facilities Project – May 23, 2024 @ 5:15pm, District Office (Motion)
b. Consideration to Approve FY24 Budget Amendment (Motion)
c. Consider Resolution to Approve iJAG Memorandums of Understanding (Motion)
d. Consideration to Approve Summer 2024 Concrete Bid (Motion)
e. First Reading of School Board Policy 707.05 School Wellness Policy (Motion)
f. Second Reading of School Board Policy Series 600 Education Programs (Motion)
i. Board Policy 602.17 School Library (Motion)
ii. New Policy 602.19 Health Education (Motion)
iii. New Policy 602.20 Student Health Services (Motion)
iv. Board Policy 603.02 Objection to Instructional Materials (Motion)
v. New Policy 603.02E1 Request to Prohibit a Student from Accessing Specific Instructional Materials (Motion)
vi. New Policy 603.10 Instructional Library Materials Inspection and Display (Motion)
g. Negotiations Discussion (Exempt from Open Meetings Law)
12. Adjournment

Iowa Kids Garden Day

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 8:07 am CDT

Get out your garden tools and be prepared to answer all sorts of questions from your children this Wednesday for Iowa Kids Garden Day. This is a statewide celebration for children and educators to engage in gardening and growing activities. Children are even encouraged to try delicious local foods.

The Henry County extension office is teaming up with Mt. Pleasant FFA students and Master Gardeners to provide hands-on learning opportunities about gardening. The Henry County extension office will be sharing tips and tricks for gardening throughout the week to empower you to kickstart your very own gardening journey.

Firefighter Cadet Program in the Works Through Mt. Pleasant Fire Department

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 7:03 am CDT

Members of the Mount Pleasant Fire Department participated in the the MPCSD career fair at both High School and Middle School. Students were able to try on fire gear, check out firefighting tools and equipment, and ask questions. Some of these questions showed an interest in the future of firefighting, such as how do I get involved? How old do I need to be to become a firefighter? What sort of schooling do I need?

The Mt Pleasant Fire Dept is a volunteer department that meet on Wednesday nights at 6:00pm. They are always looking for new recruits to get involved. They have made joining easy, as all you need to do is stop on by on a Wednesday night, check things out, and pick up an application.

Currently, the Mount Pleasant Fire Department is working on creating a Firefighter Cadet program, which would allow teenagers to join and learn all about the fire department. Through the program, they will learn things such as different firefighting tactics, how things work, equipment, and participate in different trainings, to build a foundation of knowledge to create future firefighters.

Dorothy Jabczynski

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 6:26 am CDT

Dorothy Marie Jabczynski, 76, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Dorothy was born on April 20, 1948, in Peoria, Illinois the daughter of Richard L. and Betty Marie (Collins) Simons.  Dorothy had worked in Chicago and Peoria as a registered nurse for several years before moving to Mt. Pleasant.  She enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, diamond art, puzzles and traveling.  

She is survived by her children, Tammy Kunce, Debbie Case, James Williams and Deloris Jean Boughton, ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Vicky Harbor and a sister in infancy.  

No services will be held at this time and cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Vernon Dean

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 6:25 am CDT
Vernon Lee Dean “Dean”, 92 of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at his home.
Dean was born on January 6, 1932, in Morehead, Kentucky, the son of Bert and Minty (Creech) Dean. Immediately following graduation from High School, Dean enlisted in the United States Air Force on February 9, 1951. He served his country proudly during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on February 8, 1955. On April 21, 1957, Dean was united in marriage to Jerri Zike in Burlington, Iowa. They moved to Kentucky after they married and 9 years later, they returned to Iowa and made that their permanent home.
Dean worked for Emerson Electric, Garretson Equipment, and later for Nationwide Office Supplies. Dean had a sharp mind and enjoyed learning new things throughout his life. He was a great philosopher and loved to talk with people. He had an uncanny ability to make friends become family. He enjoyed golfing, gardening, and his fruit trees. Dean held a deep love for family which showed in all of his actions.
Dean was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant and was an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Lions Club.
Dean is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jerri, his children, Monica (Brad) Wesely and Eric Dean all of Mt. Pleasant, his two grandsons, Nicolas Wesely of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Nathan (Deryn) Wesely of Cordova, Alaska, his brother, Lloyd Dean of Morehead, Kentucky, his sister, Rebecca Fern Brown of Niles, Ohio and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Marsha G. Dean, and a brother in infancy, Ralph Alan Dean.
A Requiem Holy Eucharist will be held at 1 pm on Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, with Rev. Wayne Kamm officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, next to his daughter, Marsha, with military honors. Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 6 that evening. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in his memory may be directed to the Marsha G. Dean Nursing Scholarship at Southeastern Community College, established by Dean and Jerri in honor of their daughter or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

Prep Boys’ Soccer: Mediapolis Makes it Back-to-Back SEISC Titles

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, May 12th, 2024 at 10:49 am CDT

Wayland, IA- The boys’ Southeast Iowa Super Conference soccer tournament is in the books and Mediapolis has taken the crown after a strong offensive first half, downing Burlington Notre Dame 4-1. In a similar way to their matchup earlier in the season, the team who struck first won.

Although, the Bulldogs could not stop scoring as the four goals happened within a 14-minute stretch. Junior Alessandro Markomichelakis put up a hat trick for the Bulldogs and Carl Hines tallied the other goal.

Mediapolis’s offense has turned a corner since their 2-1 loss to Burlington Notre Dame back on April 29th as the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 16 to 3 in their final four contests.

The Nikes were able to find the back of the net late in the second half as senior Connor Bush executed a penalty kick.

Mediapolis will face off against either Columbus or Danville in the Class 1A Substate 6 semifinal on May 20th. Burlington Notre Dame will attempt to get back in the win column tomorrow, May 13th, at 7:30 pm at home against Wapello in the first round of the Class 2A Substate 5 bracket.