The Harlan Community School District’s Board of Education has approved an election on a revenue purpose statement. In a meeting Monday, the Board approved the resolution approving a revenue purpose statement and ordering an election on the statement as well as authorize expenditures. Superintendent Justin Wagner says the statement deals with the 1 cent or penny tax.

“Basically the revenue statement is the district policy on the order and usage on how we can spend our 1 cent tax. This is pursuant to the wishes of the patrons and district and that is why we are taking it to an election.” He says right now the penny tax is being used to pay off the Primary School Building. “The district is using the proceeds to pay off the general obligation bonds and revenue bonds which are the bonds to pay for the Primary building. Sometimes folks say levees are paying for the building but they are not. It is the statewide penny tax.”

The Harlan Community School District currently has a revenue purpose statement and needs to be renewed every 10 years. Wagner said it is very broad to allow the district to use the money in many different ways. The statement wasn’t due until September 2018, but Wagner says the district is at a good spot financially and called it a good time to renew. The Superintendent went on to say if the statement is not renewed, it would affect the tax payers.

“If the statement is not renewed then the district has violated some of the agreements with the bond holders. We would also have to levee for debt retirement to satisfy the general obligation bonds. Basically instead of using the statewide dollars from the penny tax, we would be using local tax dollars which is what we don’t want to do.”

The election will be held Tuesday, September 10th and will include 7 or 8 questions on what the school board can use the penny tax dollars for and also the school board members who are up for re-election.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Shelby County Supervisors have passed a resolution in support of obtaining Vision Iowa grant dollars for the Harlan Community Education Foundation. In the meeting this (Tuesday) morning, the Supervisors approved the resolution for the Merrill Field renovation project, but it was more than just an acknowledgement of support.

Supervisor Roger Schmitz said during the meeting, officials with Vision Iowa wanted to see a financial contribution before they approve grant monies for the foundation. He said the county received $15,000 from donor(s). Supervisor Kenkel said Vision Iowa requires local government participation in order to apply for the grant, which is no different than what the Therkildsen Center in Harlan had applied for.

The Harlan Community Education Foundation is asking for $500,000 from Vision Iowa for the renovation project to Merrill Field. Since it was donated to the County, the $15,000 will not fall on the taxpayers. The Supervisors approved the resolution with Kenkel’s vote abstained as he is on the Education Foundation board.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office says two people were transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs Sunday afternoon, following an accident on Interstate 29. Officials say a 2006 Chevy driven by Taw Htoo, of Crete, NE, was traveling north on I-29 at around 3:40-p.m., when the vehicle went out of control, cross the median and southbound lanes of traffic and overturned into a drainage ditch. Htoo, and a passenger in the car, Lay Moo, were transported to the hospital by Pacific Junction Rescue. A third person in the car was not hurt. The accident remains under investigation.

Earlier that same day, a 2004 Jeep driven by Barbara Richards, of Emerson, was turning into a parking area on the west side of the library in Emerson, when the vehicle jumped a curb and hit the west side of the building. No injuries were reported.

And, Saturday afternoon, a 2008 Chevy driven by David Gray, of Council Bluffs, was traveling south on 221st Street in Mills County, when the vehicle went out of control about one-quarter of a mile south of Abbey Road. The car hit a road sign and entered the west ditch. There were no injuries reported.

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County today (Tuesday), released a report on recent arrests. On Monday, 34-year old James Joseph Springhower, of Glenwood, was arrested on two-counts of Child Endangerment, and Interference with Officials Acts. He was being held in the Mills County Jail, on $4,300 bond.

Taken into custody Sunday in Mills County, was 80-year old Mattie May Courtier, of Glenwood, and 51-year old Larry Glenn Brammer, of Omaha. Courtier was charge with Simple Assault. Her bond was set at $300. Brammer faces OWI/1st offense and Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana – 3rd offense, charges. His bond was set at $3,000. 28-year old Amanda Jaleen Heistad, of Council Bluffs, was also arrested Sunday, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Her bond was set at $300.

And, on Friday, 24-year old Michael Kyle Meyer, of Omaha, was arrested in Mills County for OWI/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,300.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held a work session Monday evening at the High School. Superintendent Mike Amstein told KJAN News the Board approved the replacement of a sound system in the Atlantic High School Auditorium, but tabled until their August 14^th meeting, the replacement of lighting for the auditorium, while more information is gathered.

In other business, the Board approved various resignations and contracts. The resignations included a teacher at the Middle School, and High School Guidance Counselor Heather McCue, who has served for about 5-years. Amstein says McCue will be replaced by Jennifer Thurston, who has a degree and experience in counseling, as well as in the areas of intervention for persons with addictions, and At-Risk children.

Amstein said the Board also heard from Larry Sigel, with Iowa School Finance Information Services (ISFIS). He says Sigel primarily went over with the Board a handout they received last month with regard to school board elections and school bond elections. The bond election is slated for February 4^th, 2014, and is with regard to an expansion of the district’s facilities, as part of its Capital Improvements Plan.

The plan involves added space at the Washington School, and the possibility of a cafeteria, so the gymnasium could be used full-time, instead of having to be closed during the lunch period. He says that’s especially important with the increase in the number of students the building has to handle. Another aspect of the Capital Projects Plan, is the addition of 11 classrooms onto the Schuler building, and moving third grade students to the Schuler building. Amstein says Principal Stacey Hornung is set to experience a big influx of students this fall. 

She’s looking at 550 kids in her building for the 2013-2014 school year. Two preschool classes were moved from the Washington School last year to the old Lincoln building to try and accomodate students. An expansion of the Schuler building Amstein says, would provide relief to the classrooms and allow for more instructional space. That would also make the Schuler building a 3^rd through 5^th grade facility. The plan would also allow for a commons area at the Middle School and a cafeteria, so those students don’t have to eat lunch in the Schuler gym. There are also tentative plans for the addition of classrooms at the High School.

Amstein says they will consult with the faculty and staff this fall and show them the conceptual plans, as well as gather input on what changes they think should be made, before any final plans are presented to the public.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold a closed session for roughly an hour, Wednesday, prior to opening their regular meeting. The session is being held under provisions set for by the Code of Iowa, and is one of a handful of such meetings set to take place over the next few months with various County personnel. On Wednesday, the Board will meet at 8-a.m. to conduct an annual performance evaluation and contract review with County MH/DD/General Assistance Coordinator Teresa Kanning.

When the Board resumes their normal session at around 9-a.m., the will act on a nomination and the appointment of an additional member to the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Action is also expected on accepting or rejecting bids for a Hot Melt Asphalt (HMA) resurfacing with milling project on County Road G-43 from Highway 6 to Highway 71, and a resurfacing project on County Road M-56, from G-30 to the junction with Highway 6.

And, if the documents are ready, the Board may act on approving a 28-E agreement for Mental Health Regionalization. As time allows, the Supervisors may also hear a regular report from officials with Medivac Ambulance.