(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will attend a town hall meeting at 5:30-pm on Wednesday, October 8, in the Atlantic Middle School Media Center (1100 Linn St.). The purpose of the meeting is to provide community members with tours of the facilities, and information regarding upcoming district proposals. A quorum of the Board may be present, but No official Board action will be taken. The District has previously stated that “This will be a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the three measures on the November 4 ballot for ACSD. (The Town Hall meeting will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/2YXxARfjD0M?feature=share)

Following the Town Hall, a regular meeting of the Atlantic School Board will be held, beginning at approximately 6:30-p.m. That meeting will also be streamed live (https://youtube.com/live/2YXxARfjD0M?feature=share)

Their agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Welcome Visitors and Public Comments
5. Special Presentation : SRO & SBI
6. Reports:

1. Student Activities/Athletics
2. PK-3rd Grade Report
3. 4th-5th Grade Report
4. 6th-8th Grade Report
5. 9th-12th Grade Report
6. Student Services
7. Superintendent Report
8. Board Report
9. Financial Report

Consent Items*
a. September Meeting Minutes Sept 10 Sept 18 Sept 24
b. Monthly bills and prepaid bills since last board meeting
c. Open Enrollment-In Applications
d. Resignations

i. Oran Perkins, Middle School Wrestling Asst Coach
ii. Todd Killion, Middle School Wrestling Head Coach
iii. Mallory Kirchhoff, Junior Class Sponsor and Prom Sponsor.

e. Recommendation to Hire:

i. Harley Hester, Special Education Para (replacement position)
ii. Kinnick Juhl, Special Education Para (replacement position)
iii. Jeremia Robinette, Grounds Supervisor (replacing Brett Johnson)
iv. Tyler Mitchell, HS Robotics Sponsor (replacing Andy Mitchell/Stacey Schmidt)
v. Lexi Trotter, HS Girls Wrestling Asst Coach (replacing Lillian Cox)
vi. Derek Handel, MS Boys Basketball Coach (replacing Trace Petersen)
vii. Derek Handel, MS Girls Basketball Coach (replacing Trace Petersen)
viii. Chase Roller, MS Boys Wrestling Head Coach (replacing Todd Killion)
ix. Caleb Smith, MS Boys Wrestling Asst Coach (replacing Oran Perkins)
x. Ben Anderson, HS Boys Soccer Coach (replacing Mark Anderson)

f. Gifts, Grants and Donations from prior month
g. Upcoming Fundraising Request(s): Spanish Class Oct 9-Nov 9 Fundraiser PBIS Fundraiser Oct 17-Nov 3
Note: Any item may be removed from the consent agenda by a board member and considered separately.

8. Discussion:

a. Review board policies with updates:
i. Board Policy 208 Board Committees IASB Version District Version
ii. 208 R1 Board Committee Regulations IASB Version District Version
iii. 401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity IASB Version District Version
iv. 502.07 Student Substance use IASB Version District Version
v. 507.05 Emergency Plans and Drills IASB Version District Version
vi. 708 Care, Maintenance, Disposal of School District Records IASB Version District Version
vii. 710.1 E1 School Nutrition Program, Notice of Discrimination IASB Version District Version
b. Early Retirement Option

9. Action Items:

a. Approve first reading of Board Policies: Board Policy 208 Board Committees, 208 R1 Board Committee
Regulations, 401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity, 502.07 Student Substance use, 507.05 Emergency
Plans and Drills, 708 Care, Maintenance, Disposal of School District Records, 710.1 E1 School Nutrition
Program, Notice of Discrimination
b. Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC): Approve
the request to seek allowable growth for the District’s negative special education balance in the amount
of $724,256.42 for the 2024–2025 school year.
c. Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) request to the SBRC: EL Excess Costs in the amount of $71,007.36
d. 28E Agreement with Southwest Iowa Apex Consortium (SIAC)
e. Appoint a delegate and an alternate delegate for the IASB Delegate Assembly on Nov. 19

10. Upcoming Dates:

a. Town hall meeting, High School Commons, October 16; 6:00 pm
b. Town hall meeting, Washington Elementary, October 22; 5:30 pm
c. School Board Work Session; October 22, 6:30 pm
d. Town hall meeting, Washington Elementary, October 29; 4-6pm
e. Town hall meeting, Middle School Media Center, October 30; 4-6pm
f. November Election, November 4, 2025
g. Regular Board Meeting, High School Media Center, November 12, 6:30 pm
h. Special Organizational Meeting (Old Board/New Board), November 18, 6:30 pm
i. IASB School Board Convention; November 19-20

11. Board Meeting Evaluation
a. Question for the Board:

12. Adjournment

(Radio Iowa) – A member of Norway’s royal family has visited northeast Iowa to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first organized migration from Norway to the United States. Crown Prince Haakon’s visit to Decorah yesterday (Monday) included a tour of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American museum and a ceremony at Luther College. During remarks at the college, the crown prince spoke about Leif Erikson, the Viking explorer believed to be the first European to reach North America.

“His voyage said something about us,” he said. “It said we that we were a people willing to sail into unknown territory, to risk the storms for the promise of something better.” The crown prince says eight centuries later, that spirit was clear when 52 Norwegians set sail for America in 1825, in a boat called Restauration. “Over the next century over 800,000 Norwegians would follow, one in three left their homeland. They came for land, for liberty, for a chance to live their faith and when they arrived they built communities right here in Iowa and across the Midwest,” he said.

Crown Prince Haakon visits Decorah on Oct. 6, 2025. (Luther College photo)

“They built churches and schools. They built lives and they built a bridge between our nations that still stands today.” Crown Prince Haakon came to America after serving in Norway’s Navy and got a degree political science from the University of California at Berkeley, where he says he learned from both the faculty and his fellow students. “We didn’t always agree, but we listened, we argued, we learned and that is the essence of a free society — the courage to exchange ideas without fear,” he said, to extended applause and cheers.

The 52-year-old son of Norway’s King Harald is the ninth member of Norway’s royal family to visit Decorah since 1939. Luther College awarded him an honorary doctorate. “Now I should confess that my father received this honorary doctorate at the early age of 28, so yes it took me a little longer, but as I stand before you today I like to think that I eventually caught up,” he said, to laughter.

Luther College is the first higher education institution founded in the U.S. by Norwegian immigrants. Crown Prince Haakon is leading a Norwegian delegation that will also make stops in Minneapolis today (Tuesday) and in New York City later this week.

(Radio Iowa) – State Senator Claire Celsi of West Des Moines has died at the age of 59 after entering hospice care in mid-September. Celsi announced earlier this year she was dealing with a medical issue and missed about two months of the 2025 legislative session as she was awaiting surgery. Celsi, a founding member of West Des Moines Democrats, was first elected to the state senate in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Elected officials from both parties are offering condolences to Celsi’s family.

Governor Kim Reynolds says even while privately battling illness, Celsi made it a point to return to her post during this year’s legislative session and stand for her beliefs. Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner (WY-ner) says Celsi was a fearless advocate and truthteller.

Senator Claire Celsi (D-Des Moines) (Official Photo)

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart issued the following statement on the death of Iowa State Senator Claire Celsi:

“My thoughts are with Claire Celsi’s family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege to know her. She was a fierce advocate for public education, protecting Iowa workers, cleaning up our water, and improving Iowa’s mental health system. Claire always went the extra mile to make sure Iowans’ voices were heard by the legislature. Her hard work, dedication to public service, and compassion for others will be dearly missed.”

(Radio Iowa) -The Iowa State University presidential search committee met today (Monday) and narrowed the list of candidates. The search committee met in closed session for several hours and cut to list of candidates to eight semifinalists.

They will conduct closed-session interviews with those candidates October 20th to the 22nd and then identify the finalists. Those finalists will visit the campus the first week in November and their names will be released they day before they visit.

The Board of Regents is expected to name the new president on November 11th. The new president will replace Wendy Wintersteen who is retiring.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Department invites you to join them for a family friendly afternoon of fun at their Fireside Fair inside Cold Springs Park campground shelter. The event takes place Saturday October 25th.

Come and go from 1-until 5-p.m.. There will be fall crafts and treats, and you can try out the CCCD’s “Crack the Code” trail inside the campground.

They hope you will bring the family and enjoy the activities.

(Lewis, Iowa) –  Trumpeter Swans have visited the Schildberg Quarry in Atlantic for at least 27 out of the last twenty-eight winters. Now, it’s time once again for the Cass County Conservation Board’s contest, which asks you: When do you think the first Trumpeter Swan will arrive at the Schildberg Quarry?

Please call in your prediction (by November 10^th) to the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372, leave a message and return phone number if we are not in. Duplicate dates will not be allowed. For example, if a caller predicts November 25th, no one else will be allowed to predict that arrival date. So, call anytime until November 11th to make your prediction! One prediction per family, please.

The sponsors of this contest will determine the official arrival of more than 6 trumpeter swans to Lake 4, and if they arrive before the Nov. 11^th no more dates will be taken. The winner will receive a Trumpeter Swan Prize from the Cass County Conservation Board. Sorry, this contest is only for residents of Cass County.

Previous Arrival and departure dates of the swans have been as follows:

1997/1998 December 18 – January 2

1998/1999 Nothing on record

1999/2000 December 25 – February 15

2000/2001 November 23 – March 6

2001/2002 December 25 – February 24

2002/2003 November 23 – March 15

2003/2004 November 26 – March 21

2004/2005 November 25 – March 18

2005/2006 November 17 – March 5

2006/2007 October 30 – March 9

2007/2008 November 22- February 14

2008/2009 November 18- March 12

2009-2010 November 19 – January 5

2010-2011 November 5 – February 10

2011/2012 November 17 – February 21

2012/2013 November 24– March 4

2013/2014 November 12- April 7

2014/2015 November 11- April 6

2015/2016 November 22- March 24

2016/2017 November 19- March 9

2017/2018 November 9- March 20

2018/2019 November 11- January 23

2019/2020 November 8- March 3

2020/2021 November 30- February 13

2021/2022 November 22- February 28

2022/2023 November 22- February 22

2023/2024 December 2- January 30

2024/2025 December 1- February 24

(A report from the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A southwest Iowa nursing home cited for more than two dozen regulatory violations this year has been added to the federal government’s list of the nation’s worst care facilities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has added the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah to its list of Special-Focus Facilities.

In February 2025, state inspectors cited Garden View for 15 federal violations, including failure to meet professional standards, overall quality of care, insufficient nursing staff, a lack of competent nursing staff, infection-control issues and the use of unnecessary drugs.

Inspectors reported that on Feb. 12, 2025, the home, which had 37 residents, had no nurse on duty in the afternoon, and no one on staff certified to provide CPR if needed. A worker explained that a nurse from a temp agency had reported for work at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11, and remained on duty until roughly 2 p.m. Feb. 12, when she was told to go to the hotel where she was staying and get a few hours of sleep before reporting back for work at around 5 p.m.

The Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth)

The nurse’s departure allegedly left the home without a nurse in the building for three hours, despite the presence of several high-risk residents, including individuals who were on dialysis or needed airway suctioning or had COVID-19. “The administrator told staff he is a nurse but not currently licensed,” the inspectors wrote in their report.

State records indicate no fines or penalties were imposed as a result of the inspectors’ findings.

In April 2025, state inspectors returned and cited the home for 11 additional violations related to abuse-and-neglect policies, resident discharges, pharmacy services, medication errors, food quality and infection control. Again, no fines or penalties were imposed.

In the fall of 2021, CMS added Garden View to its special-focus eligibility list after the home was cited for 23 regulatory violations and fined $306,335 by the federal government. According to inspectors’ reports, the staff had withheld one woman’s dinner, with one worker telling a colleague the woman had no right to a meal because of how big she was. Another employee allegedly reported seeing a coworker pull a woman out of a room and drag her backward across the floor into another room while cursing at the resident.

In 2024, the state proposed, but held in suspension, $47,500 in fines against the home for inadequate staffing and the physical and verbal abuse of residents.

According to state inspectors, the home’s director of nursing informed them she was being pressured by management to cut staff due to budget constraints, adding that she felt doing so was “unsafe.”

Between October 2022 and July 2024, CMS imposed $241,479 in federal fines against the facility. Garden View is currently owned by a for-profit, limited liability company called Greenside Healthcare Properties, according to CMS. In addition to Garden View, the other Iowa care facility currently designated a Special-Focus Facility is Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center in West Des Moines.

The other Iowa homes on the eligibility list, and the corrected number of consecutive months they’ve appeared on the list, are:

— Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines, 38 months.

— Harmony West Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Des Moines, 23 months.

— Harvest Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Keota, eight months.

— Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center, seven months.

— Caring Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Anita, five months.

— Pioneer Valley Living and Rehabilitation Center, Sergeant Bluff, four months.

— Aspire of Washington, four months.

(Creston, Iowa)  – A car that became stuck on a mud road east of Creston late this (Monday) morning, caught fire and was destroyed. Officials with the Creston Fire Department say crews responded to the fire at 1910 180th Street, a little after 11-a.m.

In a social media post, the CFD says when the first firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames and requested additional resources. The Toyota Camry had become stuck in the mud on Jaguar Avenue, which is a Level B road that had become impassable due to overnight rain. Officials say the fire was likely caused by the mechanical malfunction that occurred while attempting to free the vehicle from the mud.

CFD Facebook photo

The Creston Fire Department offers these tips on “What to Do If Your Car Is Stuck“:

Stop Immediately: If you feel the wheels spinning, stop trying to accelerate.

Assess the Situation: Get out of the vehicle to check the extent of the problem and determine your vehicle’s drive type (front-wheel or rear-wheel drive).

Use Traction Aids: Place objects like sticks, sand, or mats under the tires to gain traction.

Gentle Rocking: Gently switch between drive and reverse to rock the vehicle back and forth, applying minimal gas to avoid further sinking.

Stay Away: If a fire does start, get out of the vehicle, move at least 100 feet away, and call 9-1-1. Do not go back for your belongings.