LUCAS, Iowa (AP) – A judge has ordered a lumber company to pay the state nearly $28,000 for timber harvested without permission from a state forest in south-central Iowa. The attorney general’s office also said Thursday that Moravia Hardwoods, of Moravia, lied to the state on a bond renewal application, so the judge banned the company from buying timber for a year. A company representative said he couldn’t immediately comment. The trees were cut down in the Chariton Unit of Stephens State Forest. The state sued the company, and a trial was held this past August. The judge issued the ruling Monday.

The Iowa Department of Education on Wednesday January 29, 2020 released new results and features in an online school accountability reporting system called the Iowa School Performance Profiles. The Iowa School Performance Profiles, launched in 2018, meets state and federal requirements to publish report cards reflecting the performance of all public schools.

The website shows:

• Updated scores and ratings for all public schools based on how they performed on a set of accountability measures in the 2018-19 school year
• Schools that have been identified for additional support and improvement based on their performance
• Additional data that are required by law but do not count toward accountability scores

The latest scores reflect results of a new state test that was administered for the first-time last spring. The website also includes some new features, including a measure of postsecondary readiness for high schools, and new data, such as science assessment results and educator effectiveness. Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise says “This is an important tool for parents, educators and other stakeholders to understand how their schools are performing.”  Wise said also, that “While the Iowa School Performance Profiles does not tell the full story about schools, the website can enhance conversations in local communities about the work to prepare students for success.”

Riverside Elementary which includes students educated at Carson and Oakland was ranked as “High Performing” with a total ranking of 62.84. This ranking is the top ranking of any elementary school in the Western Iowa Conference. The school was above the state average on all indicators. Riverside Middle/Senior High was ranked “Acceptable” and the school was above the state average on six indicators with a total ranking of 54.31. The district overall was above the state average on nine indicators and below the state average on three indicators (Growth Math, Conditions for Learning Composite and Post-Secondary Readiness ACT/SAT).

Riverside Superintendent Tim Mitchell says “This report is very positive for Riverside as we continue to move in the right direction on multiple indicators included in this report. This is the first time a state accountability report card has rated any of our schools as High Performing. This is reflection of the hard work of our staff. If we continue to dedicate and commit to professional learning, implementing research-based strategies in the classroom, using data to guide our instruction, and work collaboratively we will continue this upward trend on these indicators of school and district success.”

Report cards provide an overall view of school performance as well as more detailed information, making it easier for stakeholders to understand how each school is serving its students.
Having access to clear and detailed information enables parents and other stakeholders to ask questions and better contribute to local conversations about school improvement. Educators, parents and other stakeholders can use information in the Iowa School Performance Profiles to celebrate achievements, to pinpoint areas for improvement, and to ask questions.

For more information, visit iaschoolperformance.gov.

The Atlantic Police Department reports two local juvenile males were arrested on 1st Degree Armed Robbery charges, following an incident late Wednesday night. Authorities say Atlantic Police were dispatched at 10:57-p.m., Wednesday, to the Casey’s General Store at 1408 E. 7th Street, for a hold-up alarm. While on the way to the scene, officers were updated that an armed robbery was confirmed, and that a weapon was displayed. No injuries were reported.

Through an investigation of the incident, two (unnamed) juveniles were apprehended and are being held on the charges mentioned. The A-PD was assisted by deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and, the Iowa State Patrol. Authorities say no further information will be released at this time, as the investigation is ongoing.