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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday, February 4, 2010 |
Bond, Property and Budget Cuts Discussed by Anamosa School Board
By Michelle Phillips |
A petition to bring a bond vote for the construction of a new middle school was presented to the board, kicking off their February 1 regular meeting.
Anna Mary Riniker said there were two problems for the bond, lack of trust of the board and the superintendent. She proposed questions be addressed by the bond committee, and not Monroe because of trust and integrity issues with the superintendent. Riniker further suggested that the board not rely upon DLR Group, the school’s architect, to speak on their behalf, citing poor communication with the public.
She also said she felt concerns of the public needed to be addressed, including what will happen to West Middle School and the Highway 64 property. She said the public wants answers, not to hear that the board will deal with it later.
Dennis Waugh of IIW in Dubuque was back to speak to the board about inspections as at West Middle School. He said there was no evidence of obvious danger in the school, but hidden damages couldn’t be determined.
Waugh showed the board photos of some issues that are similar to the splitting in a floor joist on January 4 that caused the ceiling to collapse. There were 10 rooms that were identified as needing to be shored up in a similar manner to rooms 27 and 17, which were recently repaired.
He suggested that the work could be done over a long weekend or possibly spring break to minimize disruption of classes.
Superintendent Dale Monroe said the report would be reviewed by the insurance company to see if it could be covered under the ceiling collapse, and the company will need a second opinion for the repairs. The board could also choose to pay for the repairs with Local Option Sales Tax. The school board could also erect temporary buildings while the repairs are made.
Gary Weers praised the school and the engineering firm for springing into action to rectify the problem.
The board voted to get bids for the project.
Budget balancing was on the docket for the board as well, and Monroe said ideas to help with the budget will be welcome and said staff filled out forms to make suggestions. He presented a listing of suggestions to the board.
The board asked about not filling vacant positions. Strawberry Hill principal Josh Lyons said at most grade levels class sizes would increase to about 30 students per class. Steve Goodall, high school principal said he thought some of the spots could be eliminated.
Middle school and high school nurse Nancy Walshire said she had concerns about the district potentially eliminating her position. She said there were many kids in the district that have health concerns. Some students have to take medications, and they have to be dispensed by a certified health care provider. She said the school also receives money for disabled students. She said the school got $50,000 last month for disabled students. Walshire reminded the board that they couldn’t use the funds for her salary because she is an established employee, but it could be used for a new hire after she retires.
The Millers family of Morley made a presentation to the board and said they chose to send their daughter to Anamosa rather than Olin because there is an RN on staff in the Anamosa district. Jodeen Miller told the board that small kids have more ailments than older kids and Strawberry Hill needs to have its own nurse. She asked that the board put themselves in their shoes.
High school counselor Nancy Lacey also addressed the board and asked that they replace her when she retires. She cited the addition of Olin students, and said the 50-60 additional students would increase the work for the department.
Jean Sellnau said that she would like to review the list and discuss the suggestions.
Rich Crump asked that in addition to dollar amounts, Linda VonBehren, business manager, come up with the negative affects of the measures. She said she would have the information ready for the next board meeting on February 15.
She said the staff is confused about the cash reserves, but the cash reserve must be used for interim periods when there is no money coming in, not a surplus. The money is often used in the summer to pay bills, particularly in preparation for fall classes. She said if the district was just looking at a deficit for one year the money might be taken from cash reserves, but the shortfall is expected to last longer than one year.
The board voted to call for a bond issue election at its meeting on February 15.
The board heard about a request to reconsider the Sadie Street easement/ordinance. He said when it was approved in August, but option B for the high school renovations spills into the easement. The city said the ordinance could be reconsidered by addressing the council. The board agreed to address the city council.
The school will ask to be on the city agenda on February 8.
The board discussed whether or not to put the Highway 64 property for sale. Lowell Tiedt, school board president, said they intend to “get rid of it.”
Riniker said the district needed a counselor and a nurse worse than the property.
Monroe said they were advised by the attorney to keep it until the bond issue passes and reconsider it for building if absolutely necessary, in part because the district had such a hard time finding a piece of land.
Rich Crump suggested holding on to the property until after the bond passes and that would reduce the amount the district would pay interest on. He also suggested contacting realtors about the property to make an informed decision at a later time.
Monroe told the board that the DOT has posed six options for Old Dubuque Road and Highway 151, and told the board they were welcome to attend a meeting with the DOT, which was cancelled on January 20, and yet to be rescheduled.
Phyllis Lerch asked the school board to consider increasing the lighting in the parking lot at the high school.
The board also approved:
• Early retirement or the following staff:
• A bond committee to go forward with a vote.
• A request for early graduation by a student who is not a senior. The student has been in alterative school and excelled. |
Olin Teacher Still on Leave, Investigation Continues
By Michelle Phillips |
Olin special education teacher, Jeremy Chamberlin remains on administrative leave from Olin School after allegations that he sent nude photos to a student, via text message, were made.
The Jones County Sheriff’s Department was contacted on January 12 by the family member of a 15-year-old female student and asked to investigate the allegations.
“We’re still waiting on some physical evidence, so it could still be two weeks to a month before the investigation is complete,” said Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Greg Graver.
He said that investigations of this nature can be lengthy and typically take several weeks. “We just have to have a thorough investigation with the serious allegations being made,” he stated.
Olin Superintendent Jayne Richardson and School Board President Mike Hansen have declined to comment on Chamberlin being placed on administrative leave. The school’s attorney, Drew Bracken of Ahlers and Cooney, PC in Des Moines ,said the school conducted a background check before Chamberlin was hired.
Chamberlin has not been arrested in this case. |
LCC to Raise Money for Repairs
By Michelle Phillips |
The Lawrence Community Center (LCC) is in need of some repairs and upgrades, so Parks and Rec Director Scott Kelly and his staff are planning a fundraiser on February 6 to help with those expenses.
“We need to get people to understand that we’re 20 years old, and we need to do some of these things,” explained Kelly
The most immediate repair needed is to the gym walls, which Kelly said were constructed of particleboard and sheetrock when the facility was built. “When they built the gym, they didn’t have the money to build with concrete block,” Kelly explained and said he has roughly estimated at least $25,000 for the repair and reinforcement of the walls. He hopes to resurface and repaint the gym floor at the same time.
Kelly is realistic, though, and knows that there are a lot of needs in the Parks and Rec Department, including the pool and parks as well as the center.
He also hopes to expand the Warner Cardio Room and said more space is needed, not only because of the popularity of the exercise center, but also because the LCC has received donations of equipment with no place to put the large workout machines. His plan includes removing the whirlpool, which is in need of $30,000-40,000 in repairs, then extending that area to accommodate the cardio room. The weight room could then expand into the current cardio area.
“The weight and cardio rooms are the most used areas of the center,” he added.
The event on February 6 is dubbed the 20 Year Anniversary Extravaganza and includes dinner, entertainment and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the center. Dinner will include roast beef or chicken, side dishes and dessert.
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Dan Trumm of Viola works on laying carpet in the meeting room at the Lawrence Community Center last week; The Warner Cardio Room is slated for improvement at the LCC, but before it can be expanded, funds need to be raised. A dinner and silent auction will be held on February 6 for that purpose. |
Kelly said donations have come in from area businesses for the silent auction and include gift certificates from various businesses, dinner for eight, a stained glass lamp, an overnight stay at AmericInn and a pair of Townie Electra bicycles.
“We will be recognizing past board members and talking about the future of our building,” Kelly included.
Social hour will begin be from 6-7 p.m., with wine being served, and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets to the event at $25 and can be purchased at the LCC. |
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Box 108, 208 W. Main Street, Anamosa, IA 52205
319-462-3511,
FAX 319-462-4540
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