The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, May 9th at 6pm. This meeting is held in the High School Media Center at 2104 S. Grand Avenue. This meeting is open to the public and the board agenda can be found at MTPCSD.org/board/meetings.
Mount Pleasant CSD Reviews Financial Reports and Insurance Strategy, Prepares for ISL Renewal During Finance Committee Meeting
At the June 6 Finance Committee meeting, the Mount Pleasant Community School District covered a wide range of financial topics, including its annual insurance renewal, monthly expenditures, and the future of its Instructional Support Levy (ISL).
Insurance Renewal and Risk Management
One of the meeting’s key items was a detailed presentation on the district’s insurance policies for property, casualty, and workers’ compensation. The district’s total insured property value is approximately $91 million, not including the former Iowa Wesleyan University campus.
Of particular focus was the 1% wind and hail deductible—separate from the standard $50,000 “all other perils” deductible.
One option discussed to mitigate this risk was participation in a new Storm Protection Fund, where districts pool money to cover large deductibles. The cost for Mount Pleasant to join would be $36,415 annually from the management fund. However, Superintendent John Henriksen and Finance Director Jessica Boyer decided against participation this year.
“Our buildings are spread out,” Henriksen noted. “The chance of a single storm damaging every facility is relatively low.”
The insurance presenter echoed this sentiment, explaining that many Iowa districts are now shifting from full insurance coverage to a strategy of self-insuring manageable losses while reserving insurance for catastrophic events.
Monthly Financial Review
The committee also reviewed the May financial report, scrolling through monthly expenditures across all district funds—including general, activity, and food service funds. Some notable expenses included:
The general fund closed May with nearly $9.5 million in cash, nearly identical to the same time last year. Other funds, like the Student Activity Fund, showed slight increases, while Capital Projects spending was higher due to facility upgrades.
Instructional Support Levy (ISL) Renewal Process Begins
The committee also reviewed the timeline for renewing the district’s Instructional Support Levy (ISL), which supports general fund operations. The current ISL was approved by the board in 2020 and runs through fiscal year 2026.
To maintain this funding, the board must renew the ISL for another five-year term beginning in fiscal year 2027. The process will begin with a resolution of intent at the June 9 board meeting, followed by a public hearing and final vote scheduled for July 14. The deadline to certify the intent to continue the program is April 30 of the preceding fiscal year.
Judith Ann Nelson
Judith Ann Nelson, 83, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield, IA with Father Ross Epping officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield immediately following. A visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church and will last until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Judy’s honor may be directed to the family to be used for organizations which Judy supported and mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Judith Ann Nelson was born on March 12, 1942, in Washington, IA, to Ernest and Mary Robinson Peiffer. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1960 and her journey in life took her to the Iowa School of Beauty, where she became a hairdresser. It was a profession that allowed her to touch the lives of many through haircuts and good conversation. She went on to open and operate her own salon in Fairfield for several years.
Judy married Jerry Nelson and became a loving mother with the birth of their two daughters. Judy and Jerry later divorced but the family continued to be at the center of her world. Judy’s devotion to her family was unwavering, and she lovingly embraced the role of both mother and homemaker.
After devoting time at home, she began on a meaningful career at Parkview Care Center. There, she served as a hairstylist for over three decades where her love for all the patrons was evident. She cherished the time spent caring for them and the friendships that were made, until her well-deserved retirement.
Judy grew her faith as a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield. She had many talents, including being a gifted seamstress. She found comfort working in her garden and nurturing her flowers. Above all was the time she spent with her family, creating lasting memories they will hold dear forever.
Judy’s legacy is honored by her surviving daughter, Julie (Brett) Lisk, and her three grandchildren, Jett, Rhylie, and Torrie Lisk.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Mary Robinson Peiffer, and her daughter, Jolene Nelson.
Michael G. “Mike” Steffensmeier
Michael G. “Mike” Steffensmeier, 63, of Fort Madison, Iowa passed away at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, June 5, 2025 at his home.
He was born on February 20, 1962 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Vernon K. and Phyllis (Schierbrock) Steffensmeier.
Survivors include one brother David (Carrie) Steffensmeier of Nauvoo, Illinois; three nieces: Holly (Jonathan) Thompson, Kara Tweedy, Morgan Gonzalez; and two aunts: Betty Frey and Rita Steffensmeier. Also surviving are several great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law: Jeanne; and nephew Adam.
Mike received his Bachelors Degree from Northeast Missouri State University. He worked for Career Builders in Atlanta, Georgia as a Technical Consultant for thirty five years, following his retirement three years ago he moved back to Iowa. Mike enjoyed coaching basketball at Holy Trinity Catholic Schools and being with his dog Blu. Mike was an avid Chicago Cubs Baseball fan.
His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for Cremation.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.
Memorials have been established in his memory for Holy Trinity Basketball.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Prep Softball: Second Edition of the IGHSAU Rankings Puts Two Local Teams in the Top 15 for Class 3A
Prep Softball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released the second rankings of the 2025 season and the first of the regular season and after nearly two weeks of action two of our local teams find themselves in the top 15 for Class 3A.
Class 5A
#2 Waukee Northwest’s 7-4 loss on the tail end of a doubleheader showdown against #7 Waukee caused the Wolves to lose the top spot in the rankings. Taking over that top spot is undefeated Pleasant Valley. The Spartans are not just winning games, they are pulverizing opponents.
Through their first seven contests they have outscored their foes 101 to 11 with three double-digit shutouts laced within the schedule. One of their doubleheader sweeps included Class 4A’s North Scott that comes into this week ranked 3rd.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy has the (dis?)pleasure of being ranked 8th this week despite starting the year 0-4, though their opponents were some stiff competition that we’ll see later on in the article.
Indianola was kicked out of the top 15 and replaced with Urbandale at #12.
Class 4A
One of those teams that kept Kennedy winless through the first four games was #1 Xavier. The Saints currently tout an ERA of 1.64 for the young season behind senior Braylen Conlon who has tabbed a 5-0 record with 49 strikeouts for an ERA of 0.30.
North Polk was ousted from the #1 slot after falling to Ames 1-0 on the penultimate day of May. The Comets have since rattled off four straight victories. Some undefeated teams in the top 15 include: #4 Norwalk, #5 Dallas Center-Grimes, #8 Clear Creek-Amana, and #14 Grinnell.
#11 Bondurant-Farrar and #14 Grinnell are the new kids on the block after #13 Pella and #14 Burlington were knocked out the rankings.
The Grayhounds have been a contender for the past 10 seasons with their height of their success coming in 2018 with 31 wins. However, last year’s Regional Championship lost might be the closest they come to state for at least another year.
After over a decade of dominant pitching, including an ERA under 2.00 last season, in most part due to senior Saydee Plummer, the Grayhounds currently tout an ERA over 4.00 for the first time since 2014 at 4.95. It could also be their first year of posting an ERA in the 5s since 2014.
Class 3A
Williamsburg kept their seat atop the standings but #2 Wahlert Catholic, who also beat Kennedy, is nipping at their heels at #2 followed by Assumption. Missouri Valley had quite the climb in the rankings, going from unranked to #7 with an 8-1 record.
#9 Washington gained a spot in the rankings after a solid 7-1 start to the season with their lone loss coming against Clear Creek Amana 5-4 to begin the season. The Demons, who have swatted down by Burlington the last couple years for the conference crown, swept the Grayhounds on Monday night, 9-6 in game one and 13-1 in game two.
Leighton Salazar and Alyvia Anderson are leading the charge offensively for Washington with 0.481 batting averages with Anderson sporting a 0.852 slugging percentage with a team-leading four doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs.
This was a tough week to be ranked in Class 3A with four teams getting knocked out of the top 15: #6 Benton, #12 West Lyon, #13 Center Point-Urbana, and #14 West Marshall.
Replacing the three other teams will be #11 Sumner-Fredericksburg, #14 West Delaware, and #15 West Burlington/Notre Dame.
The Falcons are 6-1 heading into a big game against 7-1 Central Lee tonight with early claims for the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division on the line as they are both 3-0 against fellow south opponents.
West Burlington/Notre Dame’s only loss was a 3-1 affair against Class 2A’s #3 Louisa-Muscatine. Offense has been the flight pattern for the team for the past couple of years with eight players hitting at least 0.300, including Whitney Snowden clouting 0.526 at the plate.
Orayana Gonzalez’s 1.42 ERA is also good enough to keep the Falcons in any game that the offense has an off day.
Class 2A
Van Meter is ranked #1 after a 7-1 start to the season. Now, for the calamity that ensued in the other 14 spots. Durant shot up eight spots in the preseason rankings to be ranked #2 with a big highlight win against #3 Louisa-Muscatine, 2-1.
The reason West Lyon was kicked out of Class 3A’s top 15 is because the 8-0 squad is at #5 in their new class. Exira-EHK/Audubon and Lisbon are joined at the hip as they both fell four spots to enter this week at #6 and #7, respectively.
Osage jumped up four spots to get into the top 10, while #6 West Monona, #11 Hudson, #14 Treynor, and #15 Pleasantville were all ejected from the top 15.
#11 Wilton, #14 Cascade, and #15 Hinton filled up the empty slots.
Class 1A
Wayne and Clarksville are both undefeated and sit at #1 and #2, respectively. Martensdale-St. Marys tumbled all the way down the rankings from #2 to #9 after going an unassuming 3-2 to start the year.
Wapsie Valley’s 7-0 start to the year resulted could not go unnoticed as they jumped into the rankings after #14 Central City was kicked out. Additionally, #14 Sigourney is still undefeated and looking to defend their state championship.
More
For a full look at the rankings for all five classes, follow this link: Week 1 IGHSAU Rankings
Garbage Pickup Day in Salem to Change Starting July 2025
Salem residents should prepare for a change in their waste collection schedule starting in July 2025. Wemiga Waste has announced that beginning Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, garbage will be collected on Wednesdays instead of the current day.
To accommodate the transition, there will be no garbage pickup on Monday, June 30th, ensuring a smooth start to the new Wednesday collection routine.
Residents are also reminded that Des Moines County curbside recycling will continue to operate on its current schedule, with pickups occurring every other Monday.
Wemiga Waste thanks the community for their cooperation as this scheduling adjustment is made.
Mt. Pleasant Christian School Enrollment Open for 2025-2026 School Year
Mt. Pleasant Christian School Enrollment Open for 2025-2026 School Year
Enrollment is now open for the 2025-2026 academic year at Mt. Pleasant Christian School, an accredited K-12 Christian school committed to providing a faith-based education grounded in academic excellence.
Families considering private education are encouraged to apply soon, as the enrollment period is underway and applications for the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program — commonly referred to as vouchers — will close on June 30. Mt. Pleasant Christian School proudly accepts ESA funds to help make private education more accessible for Iowa families.
The school offers a nurturing, Christ-centered environment that supports students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Those interested can begin the enrollment process by visiting the school’s website at www.mtpleasantchristian.com. Additional information is available by calling the school office at 319-385-8613.
Early applications are encouraged as space may be limited in some grade levels.
George Fredrick Septer
George Fredrick Septer, 83, of Salem passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living Center in Mount Pleasant.
George was born on July 26, 1941, in Salem, the son of Roy and Carlotta (Gumbo) Septer. He was united in marriage to Doris Hourihan on November 28, 1959, in Salem. George was a very caring, hardworking and generous person. He worked at the Fort Madison Correctional Facility for 30 years, owned and operated Subs and Suds in Burlington, and for 25 years owned and operated George’s Concessions.
Those thankful in sharing in his life include his wife of 65 years, Doris, of Salem, his children, Mike Septer, of Ottumwa and Lora (Charlie) Meierotto of Pilot Grove, his four grandchildren, Susan, George, Mitch and Trisha and his two great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Ralph Septer and Dale Septer, and one sister, Shirley Guzman.
A Celebration of George’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Burial will be held at a later date in the Salem South Cemetery. According to his wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant. A memorial has been established in his memory.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mount. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.