MOUNT PLEASANT — The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Education will convene for its regular meeting this afternoon, tackling a full agenda that includes staffing updates, legislative priorities, a resolution to continue participation in the Instructional Support Program, and early discussions about the superintendent search process.

The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the proposed resolution to continue the district’s participation in the Instructional Support Program, a funding tool that supplements the general fund to support student learning and district operations. A vote on the resolution is expected later in the meeting.

Superintendent Henriksen will provide an update on open teaching positions, noting progress and ongoing challenges in filling remaining roles before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The board will also review its legislative priorities for 2025, aiming to finalize the district’s advocacy goals ahead of the Iowa Association of School Boards’ (IASB) submission deadline.

In other staffing-related topics, the board will discuss the FY26 Education Support Personnel funding amounts, continuing its commitment to transparency and planning in employee compensation. A follow-up on the district’s ELL presentation and the use of certified mail for attendance letters will also be presented, as part of efforts to strengthen communication with families and improve student engagement.

Key items under New Business include:

• A formal motion on the Instructional Support Program resolution.
• A motion to waive the open enrollment out-transfer ineligibility period for a student.
• Approval of a 28E agreement with New London Community School District for Home School Assistance Program services.
• A first reading of Board Policy Series 200, which governs school board operations.
• A review of the spring staff survey results, offering insight into employee feedback.
• A discussion on elementary section sizes, with attention to class size management as enrollment numbers solidify.

One of the most anticipated discussions of the evening will focus on the upcoming superintendent search process, as the board begins outlining its timeline and approach for hiring a new district leader, As Superintendent John Henriksen haa announced his planned retirement for June of 2026.

The meeting will conclude with an opportunity for citizen comments, followed by adjournment.

The meeting is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend or follow up with board members for more information.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Henry County Republican Party hosted its annual fundraising dinner last week, drawing a crowd of supporters, local officials, and statewide leaders. The event, held to fund year-round operations of the local GOP headquarters, was marked by patriotic spirit and conservative messaging.

Pastor Gary Leeds opened the evening with a prayer and testimony before Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird delivered the first keynote. Bird spoke about her Cold Case Unit, border security, and strong support for law enforcement—and for President Trump.

Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer followed, sharing her personal journey into politics and highlighting her work on education reform, STEM initiatives, and school safety. “We’ve got a strong statewide ticket,” she said, encouraging momentum heading into the 2026 elections.

Senator Mark Lofgren celebrated the passage of Iowa’s hands-free driving law, crediting community advocates, while Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks fired up the crowd with a call to action. She touted her fundraising success and contrasted Republican policies with Democratic opposition, particularly on taxes, defense, and the border.

Secretary of State Paul Pate closed the program, emphasizing Iowa’s national leadership in election security and encouraging continued grassroots support.

Attendees left energized, discussing campaign strategies and legislative wins over dinner. The evening underscored a clear message: local Republicans are focused, funded, and ready for November.

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Henry County Engineer’s Office is calling on residents to help secure critical funding for a local bridge replacement project by taking a short online survey.

In partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and over 20 other cities and counties, Henry County is part of a coordinated effort to apply for federal grant funding aimed at replacing aging infrastructure. Locally, the project would replace the existing bridge on Iowa Avenue, just north of Mount Pleasant, with a modern 176-foot pretensioned, prestressed concrete beam bridge.

Public input is a key part of the grant application process, and officials say completing the brief survey could make a big difference.

“This is a valuable opportunity to improve a vital piece of our transportation network,” the Engineer’s Office said. “We’re asking residents to take just a few minutes to help support this much-needed project.”

The survey takes less than five minutes to complete and is available at: hdr.jotform.com/team/public/2025-CHBP.

Officials encourage the public to respond soon, as timely community input will strengthen the overall grant submission.