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AROUND NORTH IOWA
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CLARION: The school district is facing a $1 million shortfall...
BUFFALO CENTER: Some parents complained to the school board that bus routes are too long...
CWL: Although some state officials say the school district is too small to exist...
CLARION: The school district is facing a $1 million shortfall. The sum is made up of a $430,000 cut from the state, $150,000 in cuts made by the school board, and a $419,000 loss in state aid because of an expected enrollment drop of 71 students ($5,900 per child). The enrollment drop caught the superintendent by surprise. He had estimated the change was going to be 45 students. Some school districts have a cash reserve to use in this tough economic situation, but Clarion-Goldfield does not have a reserve.
STORY CITY: The Roland-Story School Board must find $450,000 of budget cuts. According to the superintendent, one place will be teacher pay raises. "We will not be increasing salaries unless an aribitrator forces us to do so."
EAGLE GROVE: The school district is facing two budget cuts: 10% from the state plus an additional loss of $236,000 in student aid. Enrollment fell a surprising 40 students, double the estimate of 20.
HUMBOLDT: Although school officials are concerned about the 10% cut in money from the state, they have been slightly encouraged to learn that enrollment is up 41 students this year. That means they'll have an extra $242,000 to offset the state rollback.
GARNER: School officials are looking at ways to deal with the state's 10% funding cut, which equals $354,000. The district has $400,000 in reserves. Garner-Hayfield won't see a big hit in the area of enrollment. Class sizes are stable this year at about 60 students per grade.
BUFFALO CENTER: Some parents complained to the school board that bus routes are too long, forcing children to ride for extended periods. School officials say they don't know where to get the $20,000 to $30,000 it would cost to add another bus route, considering all the budget cuts coming from the state. The North Iowa District is the 8th largest in Iowa in terms of square miles of land. Buses travel long distances and pick up just a few children.
SHEFFIELD: The SCMT School Board discussed trips to state sporting events. New rules make the bus rides much more expensive, and it was suggested they should be dropped in light of state budget cuts. No decision was made.
WRIGHT COUNTY: The public health department thinks about half the residents of the county have been vaccinated for the H1N1 virus. Demand has been larger than the supply so far.
CWL: Although some state officials say the school district is too small to exist, don't tell that to the football team. The Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne football team won the District 3 eight-man championship for the second year straight. The Panthers are 6-0 in the district and 8-1 overall after winning the first round of post-season play.
MITCHELL COUNTY: Two high school teams are in the state playoffs. Osage beat Dyersville in last week's substate contest, while St. Ansgar beat Denver. Both played again Monday.
HAMPTON: The newspaper publisher called for an end to the state's district system for high school football. Instead, he suggests that school go back to playing conference rivals, reduce the regular season by one game, and add back one playoff game for every team. He says the district system costs too much in travel, reduces gate receipts at games, and isn't followed by any other sport.
CLEAR LAKE: A reward is being offered for information about the person who shot a cat with a pellet gun. The pet was on a leash, sitting on the front porch of its home when shot. The owner did not notice the wound right away, but took the cat to the vet when it became ill. Despite treatment, the animal got an infection and died.
ALGONA: Local projects got a boost last week. Corn Belt Power and USDA Rural Development made a $360,000 no-interest loan to the hospital for a new addition. USDA Rural Development also made a $300,000 no-interest loan to the YMCA for capital improvements.
CRYSTAL LAKE: Forty-four more wind turbines will be added to the existing 180 near here. When completed, the windfarm will make enough electricity to power 104,000 homes.
LAKE CORNELIA: The board at Clarmond County Club has hired Eric Lamb and Jodi Siems of Belmond to run the clubhouse. Lamb owns the Corner Lounge and Siems has been managing the Belmond Country Club. Siems will take the most active role at Clarmond, while Lamb will mostly be behind the scenes.
HUMBOLDT: Small school districts in the area are talking about sharing some classes. Twin Rivers of Bode, Gilmore City-Bradgate, West Bend-Mallard, and Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne are all looking at ways to keep their doors open.
FOREST CITY: Dick Hanson, who has been president of Waldorf College for the past 4 1/2 years, has taken a new job as interim president of his alma mater -- North Dakota State University in Fargo. The NDSU president quit after a public outcry surrounding the construction of a new $2 million president's residence. Hanson will continue to guide Waldorf from Fargo until the sale of the college to Columbia Southern University is completed.
WEBSTER CITY: A Transformation Council met last week to discuss how the community can cope with the closing of the Electrolux washer and dryer factory. Members discussed some of the things done in Newton when Maytag closed. The director of the food pantry said his agency has already seen the number of clients double in the past month.
ALGONA: A total of 237 carved pumpkins were placed around a local campground for the Jack O' Lantern Lane event. Over 450 people in 118 vehicles viewed the display.
CLEAR LAKE: The city council passed a new ordinance that makes it illegal for contractors to park their work trailers on the streets in residential areas from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
NORTHWOOD: County officials are discussing who should pay for expensive medical care received by a jail inmate. A man being held on charges of kidnapping had a pre-existing heart condition. It flared up while he was in jail, and he was taken to the hospital in a helicopter. A pacemaker was installed, and the bills so far total over $70,000. Neither the inmate nor the county has insurance for this situation.
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©Belmond Independent 2009
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