Four area school district Boards of Education will hold their separate meetings this (Monday) evening.

The Griswold School Board meeting begins at 5:30-p.m. with a Public Hearing on the 2016-17 School Year Budget, followed by approval of the budget during the “New Business” portion of the agenda, which also includes action on: The Driver’s Education Fee; Operational Sharing; Activity Conference; a target for budget cut reductions; the process for future facility plan, and the process for filling the Superintendent vacancy. The Griswold School Board will also hold a closed session prior to adjournment, with regard to an evaluation of the Board Secretary.

In Anita, the CAM School Board will meet at 6:30-p.m. Action items on their agenda include: Consideration of a request from the CAM Shooting Sports Club; The presentation of an opening offer to CAMEA (the CAM Education Association); and, Setting the time and dates for public hearings on the 2016-17 school calendar and budget. The CAM School Board will also discuss Capital projects before moving into an exempt session with regard to negotiations.

In Elk Horn, the Exira-EHK School Board meets at 7-p.m., Monday. They’ll recognize a donation to the school library, and act on contracts for: David Thompson – Assistant High School Softball Coach; Jeff Van Ert – Special Ed Driver; Christine Madsen – Chaperone for the Special Ed vehicle; Brenda Hansen – Library Aide for 2016-17, and Barb Paulsen – Middle School Para educator. The Board will also act on approving a Budget Guarantee Resolution to levy property tax for F.Y. 2016-17 for the regular program budget adjustment, as allowed under the Code of Iowa. They’ll also act on: approving a trip to Washington, D-C for April 7-10, 2017; Approving additional spectator restrooms for the football field in Exira, a two-phase process; and, setting April 11th at 5-p.m. as the date/time for public hearings on the 2016-17 Exira-EHK Budget and School Calendar.

And, in the Audubon School District, the Board of Education will meet at 7-p.m. to set the publication and hearing date for a Budget Plan, as well as act on: Approving a sharing agreement with Coon Rapids-Bayard; Early Retirement; a 1:1 Technology upgrade; Quotes for a School Security project; A change in Driver’s Ed; and a FY 2017 Budget Reduction. The Audubon School Board will also receive an update and/or discuss: Summer projects; Iowa Testing Data, and the Superintendent Evaluation Process. Prior to concluding their meeting, the Board will move into an exempt session for discussion of strategy with regard to negotiations with a collective bargaining unit.

(Update to our earlier post) – The Iowa State Patrol says a Michigan couple was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic Sunday afternoon, following an accident on Interstate 80 that took place at around 12:06-p.m. Authorities say 70-year old Joseph Stachowski, Jr., of Westland, MI., was driving a 32-foot long 2008 Peterbilt motorhome westbound in the left lane of I-80 between the Atlantic and Elk Horn exits, when he lost control of the r-v as he was passing a semi.

The motor home, and the SUV it was towing, left the road and entered the median, where it struck a high spot, became airborne and when it landed, hit a concrete culvert before coming to rest, upright in the median. Stachowski, and his 66-year old passenger, Judy Kaye Stochowski, also from Westland, MI., and both of whom were wearing their seat belts, were transported to CCMH by Medivac ambulance. Judy Stachowski was complaining of lower back pain, but otherwise appeared uninjured, according to dispatch reports.

Atlantic and Marne Fire and Rescue personnel along with Medivac Ambulance, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol responded to the scene.

Atlantic and Marne Fire and Rescue personnel along with Medivac Ambulance were called to the scene of a single-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon on Interstate 80. The accident was reported at around 12:06-p.m.

A 32-foot R-V pulling a Jeep Liberty was said to be in the median at the 55.6 mile marker. A female in the vehicle with previous back issues was said to be complaining of lower back pain. The 66-year old female and a 70-year old male in the R-V, both from Michigan, were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital to be checked out.

Traffic control was being established in the area for the safety of emergency personnel.

SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa (AP) — One worker died and another was hospitalized while working to build a massive fertilizer plant in northwest Iowa. The Sioux City Journal reports the two men were working inside a tower tank Saturday afternoon when the problem occurred at the CF Industries construction site near Sergeant Bluff. The man who died fell unconscious inside the tank and couldn’t be rescued before his death. The second man escaped the tank, and was hospitalized in Sioux City.

CF Industries says the area where the incident occurred isn’t in operation now, so it shouldn’t be a danger to other workers. The company is nearing the completion of a $2 billion expansion of its Port Neal fertilizer plant. The project includes new ammonia and urea plants.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections reports an inmate escaped Saturday from the Council Bluffs Work Release Facility. 58-year Michael Richard Rae was placed on escape status following an unexcused absence from the facility. Rae was described as being a white male, with gray hair and brown eyes. He stands about six-feet, two-inches tall, and weighs 223 pounds. He also has a scar on his left ankle.

Rae was serving a ten-year sentence for second degree robbery in Pottawattamie County. Anyone with information on his location is asked to call their local law enforcement agency.

A traffic stop this (Sunday) morning north of Denison, in Crawford, County, netted drugs and the arrest of two men. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office reports the department’s K-9 “Bayou” conducted a perimeter search of a vehicle pulled over on Highway 59 and alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. As a result of the search, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, and Drug Paraphernalia were located and seized.

22-year old Stormy Trucke, of Mapleton, was arrested for Possession of Meth 3rd or Subsequent offense, Possession of Marijuana 3rd or Subsequent offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $5,000. 37-year old Chad Gloede, also of Mapelton, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $300.

Sheriff James R. Steinkuehler reports, as of today (Sunday), K-9 Bayou has assisted in making 130 arrests, the recovery of 28 pounds of narcotics, and the seizure of nearly $25,000 in cash.

Authorities said no injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident Saturday night on Interstate 80, in Cass County. According to dispatch reports at around 10:12-p.m., a vehicle rolled off I-80 between the 56 and 57-mile marker, westbound, during the collision. The road was said to be icy at the time.

The Iowa State Patrol was handling the accident investigation. No other details are currently available.