The Griswold School Board met Monday evening, and among other action items, approved an agreement with the Teachers Association. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said they settled at a 2.51-percent total package increase, which amounted to movement on the salary schedule, and the nine-percent increase to insurance. Last year he said, the staff took no increase, and the increase this year was minimal. He said the staff has been wonderful understanding the district’s financial situation. He said also, that they issued individual contracts Monday night to all of their teaching staff.

Superintendent Henrichs said also, they discussed the District’s Second Grade class for 2018-19. Currently, he said they have 23 first graders in two sections. At Lewis there is 16 students, and seven are attend at Elliott. “From a financial standpoint,” he says “it’s questionable whether that makes a lot of sense to have those split and fund two teachers. On the political /inconvenient side for parents, if were to change the one section for next school year, it could make it very interesting for some parents, because they could actually have a student in Lewis and a student at Elliott, which would make it difficult for them. If we were one year down the road where all are at Griswold, it would be an easier decision, so we’re looking at the pro’s and con’s of one section versus two for second grade next year, and last night (Monday night), the Board the matter to gather more information.” They hope to be able to take action during their Board meeting in April.

The Board approved the 2018-19 Budget and School Calendar. As for the Budget, Henrichs said they told their stake holders that the maximum levy would be no more than $14.02. The budget for next year calls for a levy of $14.015, so they’re under what they told stakeholders it would be. And, as for the school calendar, Henrichs said they will continue to operate under the Hour format, versus the Day format. The Hour format requires 1,080 hours. The District’s calendar consists of 1, 138 hours, so they built in nine extra days then needed, according to the law. There will be two sets of parent teacher conferences. Spring Break will be held in two segments: a small break at the end of March (2019), and then Good Friday, April 19^th and professional development the following Monday, April 22^nd, so kids get a four-day weekend around Easter.

The first day of school is August 23^rd. The last day is May 23^rd. The first snow day will be made up May23rd, and if there are two snow days after that, staff will make those up additional days by preparing for the move from the three facilities to one. But if there are more than four snow days, the kids will make up the remainder, past Memorial Day, the absolute end to the calendar.

Henrichs said also, their Multi-purpose room (Gym/cafeteria) will be made into a storm shelter. It is FEMA-rated for winds to around 200-miles per hour, but not an official FEMA location with emergency power and water. Because it is more “hardened,” the soil needs to be reinforced to support the weight of the structure. As a result, they will need to install GEO-piers. Those cost an additional $65,000, which will be made up for from the contingency funds set aside for the project.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Members of the Des Moines City Council have rejected a financial aid package sought by one of the councilmen. The Des Moines Register reports that Councilman Joe Gatto left the chambers Monday before a discussion and the decision. He’d sought more than $61,000 to upgrade the facade, put on a new roof and make other repairs and improvements at his restaurant, Baratta’s.

The money would have come from the federal Community Development Block Grant program administered by the city.

Harlan Police Chief Frank Clark reports his officers engaged in a high speed pursuit late Monday night. The incident began at around 10:50-p.m., as a Harlan Police Officer was behind a yellow motorcycle in the area of 6th and Laurel Street. When the rider (later identified as 24-year old Brandon Christopher Allen, of Harlan) noticed the patrol vehicle, the cycle accelerated northbound on 6th at a high rate of speed. Speeds reached 80 mph as it continued north, through the downtown area and into north Harlan. Officials say the motorcycle ran through three stop signs.

The pursuit then went west on Dye Street from 6th, then south on 12th Street from Dye Street, running another stop sign. As the motorcycle sped south through the 12th Street residential area, speeds reached in excess of 100 mph, and the cycle ran through more stop signs. Continuing south out of the city limits, speeds exceeded 115 mph on Linden Road. As Allen approached the intersection with US Highway 59, he lost control of the cycle and laid it on it’s side. Allen took off on foot westward, but was apprehended by law enforcement following a brief foot pursuit. Allen was was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

He was taken into custody on two outstanding Shelby County Warrants, and faces multiple charges associated with the pursuit and arrest.  Felony charges include Possession of Meth; Possession of contraband in a jail facility; and Eluding. Other charges include: Prohibited Acts; Interference with official acts; Driving while revoked, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Reckless driving; Three counts of speeding, nine counts of failure to obey a stop sign, and one count of failure to obey traffic control device.

Allen was being held in the Shelby County Jail on a bond of $28,300. Harlan Police Department were assisted in the pursuit and arrest by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies and The Iowa State Patrol.

Iowa Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Andy McGuire will address the Cass County Democrats during their monthly meeting this evening (March 20th). The meeting takes place in the Cass County Courthouse basement meeting room, beginning at 7-p.m.  During the meeting, McGuire will discuss her vision for Iowa’s future including her 7-point plan to combat Iowa’s mental health and substance abuse crisis. Dr. McGuire’s candidacy has been endorsed by former Presidential candidate, Howard Dean  and over 40 health care professionals in Iowa.

McGuire was born in Waterloo. She’s the mother of seven children, and raised a family while training to be a doctor. As a medical director, she focused on preventive care, including vaccinations and prenatal checks. You can learn more about Dr. McGuire and her candidacy at www.mcguireforgovernor.com.