The MPCSD Back to School Health Fair is from 4p-7p on Monday, August 11^th at the MPCSD Central Campus Gym.  Back to school Immunizations, Dental and Vision Screening, Lead Testing, and Sports Physicals are available ($25 cash for the physicals grades 7-12.)  Community resources are available, kids activities and more.

It’s Back to School Night for Mt. Pleasant Elementary Schools: Van Allen, Harlan and Lincoln, on Thursday, August 21^st from 4pm – 6:30pm. Students can meet their teachers, drop off supplies, and kick off the school year.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session at 6pm on Monday, August 11^th in the Media Center of the Mt. Pleasant High School, 2104 South Grand Avenue. Items on the agenda include a presentation from the Superintendent Search Firm, a motion to approve the search firm, and instructional reports from elementary principals.  This meeting is open to the public.

The Mt. Pleasant Veterans are reaching out to all Veterans here in Mount Pleasant and the other surrounding towns with an invitation to participate in the Harvest Parade on Wednesday, August 27^th.  This parade is an annual event to kick off the five-day Old Thresher’s Reunion. Any veteran is invited to join in the parade and rides will be available: we would like to invite you to join us in the parade.

Please contact us If you may be interested in carrying one of our Military Branch flags in the parade.

If you are interested in participating, please meet at the Veterans Hall, 300 W. Monroe Street, at 2:15pm on Wednesday, August 27^th.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Finance Committee met Friday to review July expenditures, finalize budget items related to the 2024-25 fiscal year, and prepare for upcoming board decisions. While no official action was taken, a range of financial details were discussed in depth, setting the stage for next Monday night’s full board meeting. The meeting opened with a review of July’s district-wide expenditures, spanning general fund, activity, and other accounts.

Property Tax Rate & Enrollment Revenue

The committee reviewed the final certified levy rate for Fiscal Year 2026, which came in at $11.97 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Also discussed was the July SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) sales tax allocation, which came in at $240,421. That figure represents an increase over last July’s $217,000, likely due in part to rising certified enrollment—up from 730 to 750 students. These monthly allocations fluctuate based on real-time sales tax collections and directly support infrastructure and capital projects.

Fiscal Year 2025 Closeout and Audit Timeline

Henriksen gave updates on fiscal year-end tasks. The Certified Annual Report (CAR) is due by September 15, and the district audit is scheduled for the week of November 3.

Upcoming Board Elections

The meeting closed with reminders about the upcoming school board elections, with nomination papers available now and due by September 18. The election will be held November 4, and seats up for election include:

• Director District 1 currently held by Melinda Huisinga
• Director District 2 currently held by Derek Mullin
• At-Large seat Currently held by Josh Maher

All terms will be for four years, a result of redistricting changes in recent years.

The full board will review these finance items at its regular meeting Monday night. More information can be found on the district’s website.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — Community members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Goodwill staff gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of the Helms Career Center, a new resource hub aimed at helping individuals build job skills and find meaningful employment.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the launch of the center, located within the Goodwill facility in Mount Pleasant. The center is named in honor of Dr. Bradley Helms, the organization’s founder, who championed self-sufficiency and lifelong learning.

“This is very exciting,” said Amy Winslow, Career Services & Development Manager. “We call this the Helms Career Center, and it’s named after Dr. Helms, who believed we should help people help themselves by giving them the skills they need to find work and support their families. That still aligns with our mission today—to help people reach their full potential through education, training, and the power of work.”

The Helms Career Center offers a wide range of free services, open to all community members, with no eligibility requirements.

Services include:

• Resume writing assistance

• Interview tips and mock interviews

• Job search guidance

• Courses in Microsoft Office and artificial intelligence

• Industry-recognized certifications

“This center is here for high school students looking for their first job, or someone who hasn’t worked in a while and is ready for a new opportunity,” Winslow added. “It’s all possible thanks to the community’s support of our retail stores and donations.”

Emmy Thompson will staff the center and provide one-on-one assistance during the following hours:
Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The celebration concluded with a cheerful ribbon cutting, applause, and photo opportunities with attendees and staff.

For more information or to access services, visit the Helms Career Center inside the Goodwill Mount Pleasant location during posted hours.