October 31, 2013

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West Hancock sees enrollment decrease

By Sarah Freesemann BRITT - The West Hancock School Board met in regular session Monday, Oct. 21. Superintendent Wayne Kronemann, reported the certified enrollment for the West Hancock School district is 592. This is a decrease of 48 students from 640 two years ago. Kronemann visited with the board about the potential of budget cuts in the future due to the decline in enrollment. The board later voted to apply to the SBRC for modified allowable growth for the three items on the certified enrollment. 1.) On-time funding budget adjustment for increase enrollment (0). 2.) Open Enrollment out students who were not on the West Hancock certified enrollment count the previous fall ($36,006). 3.) For excess cost of educating ELL students ($6,621). Trailer Court The removal of asbestos from the contaminated trailers is now complete. Kronemann has filed the appropriate paperwork with the DNR. After the required 10 day waiting period, the trailers will be allowed to be moved and/or destroyed beginning Nov. 1. He also reported there are a number of companies interested in demolishing the trailers for scrap. The superintendent will continue to

work with them on the appropriate steps in which to do so. RtI Class Period High School Principal Jeff Recker spoke about the potential addition of an RtI class period into the high school daily schedule. RtI or Response to Intervention is a system that the middle school adapted during fourth quarter last school year and the elementary is currently in their second year (reading areas). Recker said they are still working out all of the logistics of the system for the high school, but it will add a 20-minute time following sixth period Monday-Friday. Four days would be used for RtI, while the fifth will continue to serve as the time for the students to meet with their advisory groups. The RtI time will be used for teachers to pull students into their rooms for extra help, exam review or to make up a missed test or assignment etc. “It is very hard to get the kids to come in before school or stay after school,� he said. “The kids are ours during the school day so it would allow the teachers to spend that extra time with the students that need it.� When asked about students not at-risk or falling behind and what they would use this time for, Recker responded, “Many of the kids are in the TAG program and this would be a great

opportunity to spend time with that.� He also thought the students would and could utilize the extra 20 minutes each day to work on homework or ask questions since all teachers would be available. SIAC The school board reviewed and supported the SIAC (Student Improvement Advisory Committee) recommendations for this school year. SIAC recommended the following four goals: 1.) Expand opportunities for students to attend on-site college events. 2.) Expose students to off-site learning opportunities. (Such as attending play, musical etc. performances on college campuses). 3.) Increase career opportunity exploration especially in the areas of math and science. (By relating the current book materials to career opportunities). 4.) Further develop intervention strategies in core curriculum areas. (RtI class period). Personnel The school board approved Paul Sonius and Troy Hobscheidt as Driver Education teachers at the rate of $200/student that completes the program. Lisa Stortenbecker was hired as a half time Special Education teacher. The board also approved the re-establishment

of Betsy Mortensen to full-time Para Educator and the hire of Jillian Van Epps as a half time Para Educator. A staff sharing agreement also passed unanimously. West Hancock will share their Assistant Curriculum Director (Ruth Verbrugge) with North Iowa and North Iowa will share their Operations Director with West Hancock. Class 2013 account The class of 2013 has a remaining balance of $5,285.07 in their account. The class voted to contribute $2,377.83 (45%) towards the new weight room Recker recommended. The school board voted to put $2,377.83 (45%) into the student projects fund and the final $528.41 (10%) into the bleachers account. Tree Removal School board members voted 7-0 to accept the bid for tree removal from Earles Demolition for $27,250. The trees on the west side of the track behind the bleachers will be removed. Stacy Goepel, head custodian, had informed the school board a few months back of the dead and unsafe evergreens. The school has had to remove a minimum of three trailer loads of branches and debris after every winter or windstorm over past recent seasons.

City elections are Hollingshead joins law office Tuesday, Nov. 5 By Rebecca Peter City elections are Tuesday, Nov. 5. Contested elections for city council seats are at Klemme, Britt, Kanawha and Corwith, Goodell and Woden. Contested elections for mayor exist at Britt and Goodell. Polls in most communities are open 12 noon to 8 p.m. Candidates and polling places are as follows: Kanawha - Nine candidates are running for three seats on the city council. Incumbents Christa Hanson, Mike Brook and Nancy Litch face a reelection challenge from Paul Delger, Tom G. Gretillat Sr., Judy Vander Ploeg, Darlene Schaefer, Roger D. Anderson and Bernard Blank. Polling place: Kanawha City Hall. Klemme - Ken Blank is unopposed in his bid for re-election as mayor. Four candidates are running for three positions on the Klemme City Council. Candidates are incumbents Morris Crotty and Roberta Carolus and challengers David Welsh and

Kody Trampel. Polling place: Klemme City Hall. Britt - Announced candidates for mayor at Britt are Gary Gelner and Marvin Hillenga. Gelner’s name will appear on the ballot. Hillenga is a write-in candidate for mayor. Voters at Britt will elect two persons to a 4-year term on the council and one person to fill a 2-year unexpired term. Candidates are for the 4-year term position are Mike Ostercamp (incumbent) and Jay Ryerson. Chad Luecht is a candidate for the two-year unexpired term. Polling place: Britt Municipal Building. Goodell - Ryan Halfpop’s bid for reelection as mayor is being challenged by Pat Sweeny. Goodell voters will elect three to the city council. Candidates are incumbents Tom Bonjour and Mark Stille, and challengers Diana Stille and Christopher Nolte. Polling place: Goodell Community Center.

By Sarah Freesemann BRITT - Kelsey Hollingshead is the newest associate at the Earl W. Hill Law Office in Britt. Hollingshead was officially sworn in as a Legal Attorney on Sept. 30. She passed the Bar Exam in July but has been with the firm as a legal intern since graduating from the University of Iowa Law School this past spring. Kelsey first came to the Earl W. Hill Law Office by way of the Rural Lawyers Program with the Iowa State Bar Association during the summer of 2012. The program’s objective is to encourage lawyers coming out of law school to consider a more rural practice. Hollingshead liked the rural setting enough she decided to return to Britt upon graduation. “I have always liked the small town setting,� she said. “I think it is important for young people to come to the more rural communities to assure that people in those communities will continue to get good legal representation when those attorneys already established do retire.� Hollingshead graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 2007. She received her Bachelor degree

in 2010 from the University of Iowa with a major in Journalism and Mass Communications and Political Science minor. While in law school, Hollingshead received numerous honors and was involved in a variety of groups and volunteer opportunities. She was a member of the Pro Bono Society Equal Justice Foundation. A peer advisor with Career Serves focusing on educating students about rural practice opportunities, and the Executive Editor of the Journal of Corporation Law (a student run journal at the University of Iowa College of Law). Kelsey received the Boyd Service Award Highest Honors (over 200 hours of community service during her three years of law school), The Iowa State Bar Association Award of Leadership and the Iowa Bar Review School Scholarship. Her volunteer work included time at the homeless shelter, Alzheimer’s Association, walk to end Alzheimer’s, Iowa Legal Aid, animal shelter, and the Elder Committee for ISBA Young Lawyers Division. When asked what type of law she enjoys practicing the most, Hollingshead prefers working with the

BRIEFLY. Britt man killed in accident BRITT - A Britt man died when the motorcycle he was driving struck plow being towed by a tractor. The accident occurred about 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27, one mile west of Britt on 225th Street. According to the Iowa State Patrol, Tony Lee Wright, 41, of Britt, was riding his 1998 Harley Davidson motorcycle east on 225th. He attempted to pass an eastbound John Deere tractor driven by David Lee Eisenman, 37, of Indianola. Wright struck a plow that was being pulled behind the tractor. Wright was transported to the Hancock County Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and the Britt Police Department.

Trick-or-Treat is Tonight! Kelsey Hollingshead elderly population and transactional law over litigation. “I enjoy working with the elderly population because I do not feel they always receive the best legal care,� she stated. Kelsey is the daughter of Mike and Rhonda Hollingshead of Eagle Grove. She has two siblings, Lacey and Josh. She currently resides near Buffalo Center.

Kanawha’s Trick or Treating will take place tonight - Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5-7 p.m. Klemme will also hold their trick-or-treating from 5-7 p.m. this evening. Goodell - The public is invited to a Halloween Party at 6 p.m. at the Goodell Community Hall. Trick-or-Treat hours will be from 5-7 p.m in Goodell. Britt - West Hancock Elementary students will have a costume parade at 2 p.m. at Westview Care Center. Trick-or-treat will be held in Britt from 5-7 p.m., also today.

Kanawha Blood Drive A Kanawha Blood Drive is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 1-6 p.m. at the Kanawha Fire Station, 104 South Main. To schedule an appointment online at www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800.287.4903.

Ham Harvest Supper at Klemme The Klemme Potpourri Club is holding its annual Ham Haarvest Supper on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Klemme Community Room on Main Street.

Cassi Jackson, Macey Harms and Taylor Glawe rehearse a scene during practice. The West Hancock fall play “Anne Frank and Me�fall play performances will be held this weekend, Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. A soup supper will be held at the school cafeteria following the Sunday performance from 4:30-6:30 p.m. (Photo by Sarah Freesemann).

on Nov. 5th


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