ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) – The Atlantic school district has settled with the families of three girls who sued over strip searches. That’s according to the Omaha World-Herald. A trial had been scheduled for this month in Cass County District Court, but a recent settlement ended the case. Attorneys in the case declined to reveal details of the agreement. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three girls who claimed they were strip-searched in a locker room in August 2009 after a classmate reported the theft of $100 from her purse. No money was found.

The lawsuit claimed the girls’ state and federal rights against unreasonable searches had been violated, as was an Iowa law that specifically prohibits strip-searching students. The superintendent and several school board members declined to comment on the settlement.

A crash at a blind, uncontrolled intersection southeast of Elliott Saturday evening, caused $16,500 damage to the vehicles involved, but there were no injuries reported. Authorities say a pickup registered to Twin Pines Farms in Griswold, and driven by 39-year old Jeffrey Mundorf, of Red Oak, was traveling south on N Avenue just after 6-p.m. Saturday, at the same time a pickup driven by 43-year old Jeffrey Reynolds, of Elliott, was traveling east on 120^th Street.

When Mundorf crested a hill he saw Reynolds’ pickup approaching from the west but was unable to avoid contact. Reynolds’ 1999 Ford F-150 hit the 2011 Chevy Silverado pickup Mundorf was driving near the right rear tire, causing the vehicle to spin 360-degrees before entering the east ditch, just south of the intersection. Reynolds’ pickup went into the ditch southeast of the intersection and hit a tree before coming to rest.

The investigating officer’s report said no citations were issued because the crash was at a blind intersection coming from the north at the posted speed limit.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Enrollment at Iowa Western Community College has reached a new high. College officials say that 7,206 full- and part-time students are enrolled for 2011, a six-percent increase over the previous school year. President Dan Kinney says enrollment continues to grow because of the affordable tuition and agreements that allow students to finish their studies at four-year universities like Iowa, Northern Iowa and Buena Vista. Kinney also says the college in Council Bluffs is attracting younger students. The average age of students 15 years ago was 27. Now the average is under 21.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday (9/19) at 7:30-p.m., in the High School Media Center. During their session, newly elected Board members Rod Hartwig and Josh McLaren will be sworn in, along with Phil Hascall and Denny Davis, who were re-elected to another term. The new board will act on electing a Board President and Vice President before moving on to other business.

Action items on their agenda include approval: of resignations; a 2011-2012 28-E agreement with the Cass County Memorial Hospital; the Certified Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report; and, the first reading of Internet Use, Technology, and Laptop Computer policies.

The Board is also expected to discuss the recently released list of Districts In Need of Assistance and Schools in Need of Assistance, reports.

The Griswold Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Monday afternoon, in the Central Office Board Room. During their 5:30-p.m. session, newly elected board members Scott Peterson and Douglas Lembke, and returning, re-elected board members Scott Hansen and Clarion Campbell will be sworn-in. The new board will then decide on who will become the President and Vice President for the new term.

During the business portion of their meeting, the Griswold School Board will receive an update on district improvement projects, and later, information pertaining to the Annual Progress and Annual Yearly Progress, Reports.

Other administrative matters will be taken care of as well, including direction on how the board wishes to proceed with improvement projects, fresh on the heels of the voter approved Revenue Purpose Statement.