News

Rep. McKean sees passage of school transportation bill

Published by admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 1:57pm

     Rep. Andy McKean announced passage of legislation that will provide school districts across the state that have high transportation costs with additional state funding to pay for student transportation.

     “This is a huge win for schools in rural Iowa,” said McKean. “The more dollars spent just to transport a student to school means that much less money makes it to the classroom. This additional funding will provide schools with much-needed relief and ensures that more resources can be used to improve students’ educational experience.”

Council approves purchase of Compadres building

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 11:04am

     After a closed session at the conclusion of the Feb. 5 Monticello City Council meeting, the council was in a position at its Feb. 19 meeting to approve the purchase of the tax sale certificate on property located at 103. W. First St.

     The former Compadres building, owned by Al Hughes, will soon be in the possession of the City of Monticello.

     “The city has been interested in seeing something done to that building for some time,” commented City Administrator Doug Herman.

Legislative forum hits on IPERS, tax credits

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 11:03am

     Several new legislative topics came to light during the Feb. 16 Jones County Economic Development forum in Anamosa.

     Sens. Tod Bowman and Dan Zumbach and Reps. Lee Hein and Any McKean were all present to offer their insights into the happenings in Des Moines now that the first funnel week has come and gone.

School safety

County goes back and forth on salaries, funding

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:55am

     After holding off a week on proposing salary increases for county department heads, the Jones County Supervisors decided to hold off again for at least another week.

     Those departments on hold include department heads with staff supervision (JETS director, Secondary Roads engineer, Conservation director, Mental Health director, and Senior Dining director), as well as department heads with no staff supervision (Environmental Health administrator, Veterans Affairs administrator, Public Health coordinator, IT coordinator, and GIS coordinator).

School board, MEA present initial contract proposals

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:39am

     Wage/salary and contract proposals were presented during the Feb. 15 Monticello School Board meeting.

     The Monticello Education Association (MEA), with Student Success Coordinator Todd Hospodarsky representing (several teachers were also in attendance), presented their initial contract proposal to the school board. The MEA recommended a base salary of $31,465 for the 2018-19 school year. Their non-BA nurse salary for the 2018-19 school year is proposed at $24,543.

County P&Z to review sign requirements

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 10:37am

     When visiting with the Jones County Supervisors regarding the upcoming Feb. 13 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, Land Use Administrator Michele Lubben said P&Z planned to review the county’s sign requirements. Of particular interest, she said, are commercial and industrial zoned districts.

     During the Feb. 13 board of supervisor meeting, Lubben said P&Z planned to look at text amendments to the sign ordinance, but no action would be taken at this time.

Jones Co. Coalition takes youth to Capitol

Published by admin on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 9:43am

     On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C), a state-wide collaboration to effect positive change in substance abuse, will be meeting with the state legislators to discuss their concerns about youth marijuana use and substance use in Iowa, along with education on increasing the beer excise tax in Iowa.

Second school facility meeting planned for Feb. 21

Published by admin on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 10:16am

     The Monticello Community School District Facilities Committee is hosting a second Community Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 6-7 p.m. This public meeting will take place at Monticello Middle School, with a different format than the first meeting at the high school.

     The meeting will begin in the MS auditorium and divide people into smaller focus groups. There will be a short tour of the middle school, and then the small focus groups will meet to discuss school facilities in separate areas.

Juengel pleads not guilty to Lake Delhi crash

Published by admin on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 10:15am

     The Manchester man charged with the death of a 23-year-old man from Delhi pleaded not guilty.

     On Feb. 6, Joshua Juengel, 36, pleaded not guilty to reckless driving, making a false report, leaving the scene of an accident (a Class D felony), and homicide by vehicle (a Class C felony).

MCSD reports low absences with flu

Published by admin on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 10:13am

     Monticello Schools Superintendent Brian Jaeger released an update on how the recent influenza virus has been affecting the Monticello Community School District.

     He said for the last two weeks the school buildings have been monitored, and additional custodial time has been spent deep cleaning to prevent the spread of the flu.

     “Our efforts have been paying off,” shared Jaeger. “We continue to have very low numbers of students absent due to sickness in general, at less than 5 percent.”

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