Mt. Pleasant School Board Discusses Budget, Pay Increases, and 24/25 Calendar

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 8:23 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community School Board met yesterday evening for a packed schedule. One board member was absent. Starting things off was a Public Hearing for the FY25 Certified Budget, which was largely spearheaded by Ed Chabal.

Contrary to previous years, there must be two public hearings, so unless you were one of the few in attendance last night, you’ll have another chance to listen on April 8th.

Revealed during the public hearing, for FY25 the district is collecting over $260,000 less than the prior year. This is partly due to the fact that the district is currently in a good financial situation.

During the special session, the board discussed a contract with AFSCME, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. After a proposal was accepted by AFSCME on March 1st, changes for FY25 are coming for paras, custodians, and maintenance. Para-educators will see a $1 raise, as well as seeing the para-education stipend increase from $0.50 to $0.70. Custodians and maintenance will also see a $1 an hour raise thanks to a step increase.

The 2024/2025 calendar has seemingly caused headaches, as the board and superintendent have tried to concoct the best schedule. State law requires school districts to begin no earlier than August 23rd. As a result, the proposed first day of class will be a full day on Friday, August 23rd. According to Superintendent John Henriksen, “everything else generally looks the same.” Christmas break will end on a Thursday, with students coming back for a full day on Friday, January 3rd. This helps to make sure that the last day of school will be in May, which currently is set for Thursday, May 29th. A full week of Spring break is during the week of March 17th-21st.

Henry County Public Health Sensory Friendly Improvements Including Mural

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 8:22 am CDT

Henry County Public Health is making their immunization room more sensory friendly with grant funding from the University of Iowa Health Care. The first thing everyone will notice is an underwater themed mural painted on two of the walls by local painter Annie Guldberg. The colorful mural full of sea creatures should help distract all kids by giving them something fun to focus on. In addition, parents will now have the option to ask for sensory aids on the health questionnaire. So far options include dimming the lights, using a sound machine, weighted lap blankets, plush vibrating ball pillows, or fidget toys. The waiting room has also been enhanced with light filters and an activity table. More items will be added based on patient feedback and available funding.

“We know that getting shots can be scary for children, especially children with disabilities, so we hope these changes will help improve the overall experience,” states Kelly Carr, Community Outreach Coordinator.

Public Health is located at 106 E. Jackson Street in Mt. Pleasant and immunization clinics are held Tuesdays 9-11am, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm, and the 1st and 3rd Thursday 1-6pm.

This project is funded by a mini grant from the ON TRAC project of Iowa’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). This project and these mini grants are funded by the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Community Based Transition Grants. If you have any questions call 319-385-0779, email publichealth@henrycountyiowa.us, or visit Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty.

Keokuk School District Receives 1/4 Million for School Safaety

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 8:20 am CDT

The  Keokuk Community School District was awarded a $250,000 School Safety Improvement Grant from the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

“I am pleased that we are able to upgrade our security cameras,” Dr. Kathy Dinger, KCSD superintendent, said. “Through this grant we will be able to add this additional level of security to our district for the safety of our students and parents.”

The Grant has been approved for $50,000 per school building and the district plans to use the funds for new security cameras for each building. To be awarded the grant, KCSD provided the scope of work, milestones and the budget, which was then approved by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

“It is important to continue to make improvements on our security measures for the safety of our schools,” Clint Wray, Keokuk School Board president, said. “Another improvement that we’ve made recently is through our agreements with local law enforcement that provides remote access to the KHS security cameras for the officers in case of an immediate concern or emergency.”

The funds come from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) and is awarded by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Funding through this federal program is for minor capital improvements for security enhancements from the approved categories. 

PHOTO CAPTION: The door cameras are among the security cameras that will be updated within the scope of work that will be completed through the School Safety Improvement Grant.

Sports, March 26th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 at 6:34 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The boys’ track meets scheduled for yesterday at Pekin and West Burlington were canceled due to weather. 

The girls’ meet at West Burlington tonight has been canceled due to weather.

The WACO and New London boys’ teams will travel to Van Buren County for a meet on Thursday, March 28th. 

Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host their Invitational on Thursday with West Burlington in attendance. 

The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Fairfield for a meet on April 2nd. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will participate in a relay at Mediapolis on April 2nd.  

High School Soccer

The WACO boys’ team will open the season on Thursday, March 28th, against Fairfield on the road at 5 pm.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams both fell to West Liberty last night 4-0. The Wildcats will host Washington tonight with the girls’ team playing at 5 pm and the boys’ to follow.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ versus Mediapolis and the Mt. Pleasant boys’ versus Danville games scheduled for tonight have been canceled. 

The Danville boys’ team demolished Keokuk last night 7-1. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team will take on Burlington tonight on the road at 5 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team will host Centerville on April 2nd and the girls’ team will travel to Mid-Prairie on the same day with both games starting at 5 pm.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will host Davis County on Thursday, March 28th, at 4:30 pm and the boys’ team will travel to Davis County on the same day. 

High School Golf

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in a meet hosted by New London on April 2nd. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams will travel to Columbus to participate in a meet on April 4th. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Washington Golf and Country Club on April 1st and the boys’ team will participate in a conference match at Fairfield Golf and Country Club on the same day. 

Holy Trinity Catholic

John Goetz, the Crusaders’ Athletic Director, has announced his decision to retire from the position after holding it for 18 years. He’s looking forward to spending more time with his family, while he decides if he wants to continue to teach. This marks the second big departure for Crusader athletics after head girls’ basketball coach Tony Johnson resigned last week. 

Southeastern Community College

In baseball, SCC will travel to face off against Des Moines Area Community College tomorrow, March 27th, in a doubleheader. 

The SCC softball team will host Kirkwood Community College tomorrow. 

College Basketball

Despite scoring a meager six points in the second quarter, the Iowa women’s team punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a 64-54 win over West Virginia last night. Caitlin Clark willed 32 points on the scoreboard by going 11 for 12 at the free throw line. The Hawkeyes finished an impressive 25 of 30 from the free throw line. The #5-seed Colorado will be waiting for Iowa on Saturday, March 30th, with tipoff at 2:30 pm. 

The #2-seed Iowa State men’s team will face off against #3 Illinois on Thursday, March 28th, at 9:10 pm. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is officially underway with over 30 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes.

Standings have been updated and you can find them here: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

This Day in Sports History

1917 – Stanley Cup Final, Seattle Ice Arena, Seattle, WA: the Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) beat the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), 9-1 for a 3-1 series victory; becoming the first US team to win the Stanley Cup.

1952 – 14th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kansas beats St. John’s, 80-63; first tournament to have a true “Final Four” format.

1979 – 41st NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Michigan State beats Indiana State, 75-64 for their first National Championship; marks the start of the rivalry between future Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Additionally, it was the highest-rated game in the history of televised college basketball.

Dessert Theatre Tickets on Sale This Wednesday!

By Yorke Prough · Monday, March 25th, 2024 at 11:27 am CDT

As the busy season for the Mount Pleasant Music Department is seemingly behind us, at least for this school year, the annual Dessert Theatre is right ahead! Mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday April 13th and 14th for this exciting and entertaining show.

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, March 27th, from 6-7pm in the MPCHS band room. The cost is $15 per seat at a table, which includes a variety of desserts and service. All remaining tickets will be available at Brown’s Shoe Fit on the east side of the square starting on March 28th.

The Saturday show will begin at 7:00pm and feature the high school jazz bands and show choir. There is a slight change this year, however, due to the variety show cancellation in January, there will be talented solo acts at the Dessert Theatre.

Sunday’s show begins at 2pm with the middle and high school jazz bands and show choirs, along with additional acts from the high schoolers.

2024 KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings After Two Rounds

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 25th, 2024 at 11:22 am CDT

March Madness- The KILJ Bracket Challenge sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design had 34 brackets submitted and through two rounds of tournament play, here’s where some facts of the first two rounds and the standings.

The first round was the ultimate exhibition of tournament basketball in March with 13 upsets in 32 games (including #8 versus #9), while last year we saw just seven upsets. The biggest surprise was #14 Oakland outpacing #3 Kentucky 80-76.

In terms of the participants, out of 32 games the average number of correctly picked games was 20.8. The least amount of correctly picked games was 15, while Erica Martin had the most at 26 correct picks as she was also the only one to predict Oakland’s win over Kentucky.

Rick Bunnell and Jeff Broeg were right behind Martin with 25 correct choices in the first round.

Now the second round of March Madness proved that most of the time Cinderella stories usually reside only in storybooks with only two lower seeds advancing in the tournament (#6 Clemson and #5 Gonzaga).

#11 NC State does not count as the Wolfpack took down #14 Oakland, but they are the highest seed remaining in the Sweet 16.

Due to the lack of upsets, everyone performed admirably with 11.2 correct choices out of 16 second round games. Allie Liechty-Hultman had the most impressive second round with 15 correct picks as Kentucky proved again to be the downfall.

Seven people picked 13 correct choices, ten people chose 12 correct picks, and eight people had 11 correct choices.

Impressively, all 34 brackets have at least two of their final four teams in the running with 19 brackets holding on to all four of their final four teams. Unfortunately, four brackets have lost their champion—looking at Kentucky thrice and Drake once.

Overall, this is still anyone’s challenge to win as the top 15 brackets are only separated by ten points. Here is the top 15:

Tied for 1st place with 100 points: Allie Liechty-Hultman and Corbin Broeker

Tied for 2nd place with 98 points: Jeff Broeg and Lysha Bunnell

Tied for 3rd place with 96 points: Ray Stigge (down a final four team) and Eric Martin

Tied for 4th place with 94 points: Sharon Menke (down two final four teams), Brent Broeker, Cara Bunnell (down a final four team), Ellyanna Bunnell (down a final four team), Brent Rich (lost his champion), Rick Bunnell (down two final four teams), and Karen Drury.

Alan Buckert grabbed 92 points. Jakin Bunnell totaled 90 points but lost their champion.

In case you are wondering, I have 88 points after the first two rounds as I picked Grand Canyon to be my Cinderella story–I will not be visiting anytime soon.

Do not be discouraged as the Sweet 16 offers up the chance at eight points for each correct guess with #6 Clemson and #2 Arizona kicking off the first slate of games on Thursday, March 28th, at 6:09 pm.

Scott Wichhart

By Yorke Prough · Monday, March 25th, 2024 at 10:33 am CDT

Scott Lee Wichhart, 55, of Mt. Pleasant passed away at his home on Sunday, March 24, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

A celebration of Scott’s life will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant with Chaplain Brandon Weddle officiating.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Friday, at the Murphy Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening. Memorial contributions in Scott’s honor may be directed to the New London VFW Post 7641 or to the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice in his memory.

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

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

Mt. Pleasant Board of Adjustment Meeting Agenda 03/26

By Yorke Prough · Monday, March 25th, 2024 at 10:00 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Board of Adjustment will meet on Tuesday, March 26th, at 5:00pm in the City Hall conference room, City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

  1. Call to order
  2. Approve minutes from September 12th, 2023
  3. Public hearing on Variance and/or Administrative Review Application filed by Dr. Jennifer Crull, chairman of the Board of The Belle Center, to occupy the building at 107 W Broad St, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, for uses including but not limited to small business incubator/co-working space/event space/meeting space, and to review the Building and Zoning Administrator’s determination that said uses are not permitted in the R-3 Multiple Family Dwelling District.
  4. Resolution to approve or deny Variance and/or Administrative Review Application filed by Dr. Jennifer Crull, chairman of the Board of The Belle Center.
  5. Open Forum
  6. Adjourn