On a vote of 5/2, action was voted down regarding the MacDow property option at this time at the Anamosa School Board meeting on June 19. The Anamosa School District heard from a representative of Shive-Hatterly and two members of The Long Range Planning Committee before discussion and voting on the agenda item. The property is located on Old Dubuque Road.

Doug Du Charme of Shive-Hatterly updated the district regarding further flood plain analysis.
Computer models and rainfall potential research conducted shows that flood potential should not be a concern for development in 10-year and 100-year storm projection. Yet, the building site on the property should be kept to the north end with the southern end plans be used for sports fields or parkland.

Members of the long range planning committee Vic Hamre shared with the school board the major consensus of the committee is to go ahead and purchase the MacDow property even if the district decides not to build on the land. Jay Willem talked about the purchase being worth it in the long run, and ended his comments with, “location, location, location.”

Several district members voiced concern over the accessibility to the option property. The lack of easy access at the rear of the property pose concerns as the district would have to implement safe and cost effective ways of getting students across roadways.

Much needed community awareness/input is a major piece that was brought to the forefront as well as the concept of board members touring the properties in question. The board would also like to make additional inquiries as to other possible property options. One of these is the Asgrow property also on Old Dubuque Road.

Superintendent Lensing reminded the board of a Fine Arts sub committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 22 at 3 p.m. Members from the City of Anamosa, Starlighters, Kirkwood Community College and the Anamosa school district will be present to form a joint partnership team to keep fine arts present in our schools and community.

Also on the board learning agenda was the item of school infrastructure sales tax. A revenue purpose statement will be filed between 8/9/06 – 8/25/06 in order for the item to be placed on the November 7 general election ballot. This will be discussed with Jones County Supervisors on June 20.

District President, Jim Mitchel volunteered to work with Brian Darrow and other board members in responding to the letter received by Olin School Board. This letter asked three pertinent questions of the Anamosa School District in regards to their declining school enrollment.

1.) Is your district interested in discussing a 28E agreement with our district which would facilitate a one-way sharing agreement?

2.) Is your district interested in discussing a 28E agreement with our district which would facilitate a two-way sharing arrangement?

3.) Why should the Olin School District of the future include your school district? (more info needed for the community and parents to make a quality decision)

Members agreed to have a response ready for the next Anamosa School District Board meeting scheduled for July 17 at 7 p.m.

Personnel items on the agenda are as follows:

• Moving Beth Thomas from AHS foodservice to WMS foodservice
• Hiring of Tammy Thomas as the hearing–impaired interpreter for Strawberry Hill Elementary.
• Two positions remain unfilled for the next school year: High school counselor and Elementary school nurse.
Action items approved on Monday evening are as follows:
• Payment of $78,043.00 from the general fund (one time expense) for the new district school bus.
• Bid of $13,000.00 awarded to Wordehoff Contracting for the bus garage parking area, final phase.
• Chemistry and Physics addition of a .25 staff position (equivalent of a part time position).
• Lease agreement with Danka for an additional copy machine at Strawberry Hill Elementary.

Lensing reminded that those present and local access viewers that three school board seats are up for re-election; Sharon Weideman, Scott Werling and LeAnn Ridgeway. Filing dates for the election are 7/10/06-8/3/06.

Monday night’s meeting ended with Jim Mitchel presenting resigning Superintendent Carol Lensing with a bouquet of flowers and best regards for the future from the board. Lensing’s last day as superintendent is June 30.

The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) has been saving dogs in Jones County since 2003 and now the group wants to build an animal shelter in Jones County to give stray animals a place to go when they’re picked up by the county dogcatcher, Jane Hilton. The group has deemed the project, Gimme Shelter.

Dogs that are found loose in the county are currently taken to the veterinary clinic in Wyoming. They are kept for a week, and if they aren’t claimed they are adopted to new families.

“About 90% of the dogs don’t get claimed,” said Denise Koppenhaver of AWF, who added that Jane picked up two dogs that morning, June 15.

“Last week I picked up six border collies at the state park, five were puppies,” Jane included.

“That’s really scary because it’s hard enough to find homes for one or two a week,” said Nancy Crist.

“When Decorah built a similar facility, their team batting averages improved over one hundred points,” informs Vernon, said the facility would be for little league through high school aged students.

The batting facility would be an enclosed structure measuring 80’ x 44’ with two cages for baseball and two cages for softball with pitching mounds in each cage; regulation distances from pitching rubber to home plate are: 66’ 6” for baseball and 40’ for softball. The construction plan also calls for safe walkways around each net.

The proposed location for the batting cages is behind the first base/visitors dugout at the sports complex by the river. This is city owned property whereas the Anamosa City Council has approved the creation of the project in 2005.

Current supporters are: Weber Stone, Anamosa Building Supply, Greg’s Electric, Dan Kiley, Steve Goodall, Byron Schlotterback, and Gary Stump provided hours of support and suggestions.

Others that gave their time and support are: Anamosa Baseball and Softball teams, the community, Jim Slach of Anamosa Amvets Post, Boy Scout Troop 67, LCC, Rotary, Maquoketa Valley REC, Gary and Connie Grassi, Kyle and Virgina Ulferts and Junior Boots.

At a recent pancake breakfast fundraiser at the LCC donations of 30 dozen eggs, 10 gallons milk, 15 gallons of juice plus a check for $176.00 came from Duane Mosser of Family Foods.

Funds raised at this point are over $9,000.00. Construction will begin once the amount of $12,000.00 is reached, later this summer.