KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa oversight agency is asking two teachers accused of cheating and fraud to surrender their licenses. The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has scheduled June hearings with an administrative law judge for Ehren Wills and Kay Slusher, who are listed as teachers at Keokuk Middle School in Keokuk.
Wills is accused of submitting Slusher’s work as her own while pursuing a master’s online from Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri. Slusher is accused of completing assignments for Wills.
Holding a master’s degree can earn a teacher more money each year.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa nurse who’d been convicted in a 2015 morphine theft case has been given probation in a second case involving the theft of painkillers. The Des Moines Register reports that Cassandra Pierce, of Ottumwa, was granted a deferred judgment on Feb. 2 and sentenced to three years’ probation. Under a deferred judgment, Pierce’s conviction will be removed from her record if she successfully completes the terms of her probation.

Prosecutors say she kept substantial portions of painkillers she’d signed out in May 2016 for three patients at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport. Court records say Pierce was sentenced to probation after making a plea deal in a case involving the theft of morphine in August 2015 while working at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa lawmaker who pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated and possession of a dangerous weapon has been given probation. Court records say Rep. Francis “Chip” Baltimore, a Boone Republican, was sentenced Monday in Story County District Court. He was granted a deferred judgment, given a year of probation on both counts and ordered to pay fees and civil penalties of at least $1,500.

Under a deferred judgment, the convictions can be wiped from Baltimore’s record if he successfully completes the terms of his probation. Baltimore was arrested last month in Ames near Interstate 35. His blood alcohol tested out at nearly twice the legal limit, and a pistol was found under the driver’s seat. He was subsequently removed as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education will meet tonight in a regular session in their Board Room, at the High School. The meeting begins at 7-p.m., and on their agenda is a Public Hearing with regard to the Fiscal Year 2019 School Calendar. Action items include receiving the initial proposal from the Audubon Education Association, and approval of the FY 2019 School Calendar, along with first reading of policies pertaining to Graduation Requirements, Payroll deductions, and the first & final readings of policies with regard to the Board of Director’s Election and Term of Office.

In other business, the Board will discuss an Early Retirement Policy. At the conclusion of regular business, the Audubon School Board will enter into closed session to discuss strategy with regard to negotiations with a collective bargaining unit.