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Volume 38, Issue 25
Official Paper of Calmar, Fort Atkinson, Ridgeway, Spillville, Waucoma, Winneshiek County & Turkey Valley Community Schools
Warriors Face Clayton Ridge SPORTS: Page 12
P.O. Box 507, Calmar, IA 52132 | (563) 562-3488 | www.calmarcourier.com | USPS: 335-690 | calmarnews@midamericapub.com | Tradidi quod et accepi
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
South Winn, Turkey Valley School District Sharing Declines ▪ TV Sharing With New Hampton Increasing Sharply
By Michael Hohenbrink Edito r Area districts are looking to maximize sharing across district lines in order to reap state incentives for sharing. With the end of superintendent sharing between South Winneshiek and Turkey Valley, though, the dynamics of just how this plays out appear to be changing. With a new school year approach-
ing, the two districts will see significant changes in sharing. Staff sharing not only allows districts access to trained staff who might not otherwise fit within a district’s budget, but it also is incentivized by the state. Districts are allowed up to a maximum of 21 full-time equivalents (FTEs) of sharing. A superintendent is worth eight FTEs while a business manager, human resources manager, transpor-
tation director and operations and maintenance manager are all worth five FTEs. A curriculum director and school counselor are each worth three FTEs. South Winneshiek will enjoy the maximum sharing allowed under state law with the full 21 FTEs while Turkey Valley is currently at 18 FTEs. Discussion is underway with Turkey Valley at present looking at how the district might reach the full 21 FTEs.
Changes For the upcoming school year, South Winneshiek will share the largest number of positions with Turkey Valley, including special education, media specialist and industrial technology. Following closely behind will be Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) with two positions: human resources and transportation. Allamakee and South Winneshiek will share a curriculum director.
By contrast, Turkey Valley’s largest number of shared positions will be with New Hampton with which Turkey Valley will share a superintendent. Turkey Valley and New Hampton will also share transportation and operations and maintenance as well as agriculture, ELL, environmental science, TAG and Family and Consumer Science. That has Turkey ValSHARING to page 3
TV Voters Wonʼt See Special Election
Sifting for coins drew kids as part of the fun during Lawler Irish Fest. Featuring music, a 5K, a parade and more the event drew visitors to Lawler over the weekend.
By Michael Hohenbrink Editor The Turkey Valley Community School District will not see a restructuring of its school board make-up, at least in the near future. At issue was a possible revamping of the district’s current system of five board member districts into a revised form with three board member districts and two at-large seats. During the June 13 meeting,
school board members discussed the potential cost of holding a special election to give voters a chance to approve the idea. Special elections are possible Sept. 13 and Dec. 6 this year. To get on the ballot for a Sept. 13 vote, board members would have needed to have acted during the June 13 meeting. Citing cost for the district to pay for a special election, board members ELECTION to page 4
Lawler Irish Fest Celebrated Lawler Irish Fest enjoyed good weather and a good turnout. Over 100 entries took part in the parade this year, as Mother Nature cooperated to help make the event a success. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Kickin’ It Irish Style.” Parade winners included: Best Overall: The Burns Family Best Family Float: The Murray Family Best Commercial Entry: 5 Star Co-op
Best Irish Float: BankIowa Best Non-Irish Entry: Busta Lawn Service Most Unique: Colton Kurtenbach, transporting the Little Lad and Lassie, pulling a goat, mini pony and baby piglets Little Lad and Lassie were Blake Eidahl and Drey O’Brien. Photos by Nichol Hohenbrink and Courtesy Lawler Irish Fest IRISH FEST More Photos to page 3 5K Photos to page 11
The gym floor at Turkey Valley will be replaced. Image courtesy Turkey Valley CSD
ABOVE: Using balloons in the colors of the Irish flag, 5 Star Co-op took the award for Best Commercial Entry for the 2016 Lawler Irish Fest parade.The parade drew over 100 entries this year. LEFT: Busta Lawn Care and Snow Service took home honors for the Best Non-Irish Entry.
ʻLoganʼs Hopeʼ Helps Muscular Dystrophy Research Efforts All funds raised during the event are being donated to muscular dystrophy research. An area youth lent a helping hand “We’re close to $11,000 right now, recently. but checks are still coming in because Logan Manderfield, 12 ½, of St. we are still selling dry fit shirts for $7 Lucas, will be a seventh-grade student from the run,” said Lyndsey. “We will at Turkey Valley next year. sell them until we run out.” Yet, despite his age, the young man With his own muscular dystrophy, was involved in raisLogan has difficulty ing funds for muscular with stairs and cannot dystrophy research. take part in most ath“Logan’s Hope” 5K letics, though he is a Run/Walk was held The Decorah Fire fan of sports. June 11 in Decorah. Lyndsey noted her Department was It’s an event near son loves to rattle off and dear to the hearts an amazing help sports statistics and is of Logan and his fam- to us, and they a fan of NASCAR and ily. the Dallas Cowboys. “When he was 16 gave Logan a fire School presents months he was diagsome obstacles with helmet with his nosed with Duchenne Logan unable to take Muscular Dystrophy,” name on it. part in vigorous activiexplained Logan’s - Lyndsey, Logan’s mother ties. mother, Lyndsey. Still, Logan is a To help out others with muscular strong student. dystrophy, the family took part in this “He’s been getting straight A’s in event. school,” noted Lyndsey. The community helped to make The district has made accommodathe event a success. tions for Logan’s physical limitations. “The Decorah Fire Department “Turkey Valley has been awewas an amazing help to us, and they some,” said Lyndsey. gave Logan a fire helmet with his After the success of this year’s name on it,” said Lyndsey. event, the family is planning to do it The department also surprised Lo- again next year. gan by inviting Josey Jewel, an Iowa Logan is the son of Don and Lyndlinebacker and Decorah native, to the sey Manderfield and has two sisters, event. Reese, 14, and Raelen, 7.
Schools Plan Summer Projects ▪ TV Will See New Gym Floor, New Football Bleachers For South Winn By Michael Hohenbrink Editor
By Michael Hohenbrink Editor
Significant projects are planned for area schools this summer. Among highlights will be new flooring for the Turkey Valley gym and new bleachers for South Winneshiek. The Turkey Valley School Board has approved refinishing of the gym floor with support from the TV Athletic Boosters who have made a commitment to help finance the project with $5,000 coming from the boosters, $2,500 coming from individuals in the community and $5,575 coming
from the school. As part of the project, the floor will be sanded down to the wood and paint removed. When the project is completed, the refinished floor will have updated lettering, lines and the Turkey Valley mascot in the center of the floor. Work is scheduled to begin late this month. South Winneshiek fans will see new football bleachers. The South Winneshiek school board has approved purchasing bleachers from Kay Park Recreation at a cost of $10,105.86. Other projects underway at South Winneshiek include a bus shed ($43,924), bus parking lot ($5,955) and new heating/cooling controls in the weight room, district office and teacher work room ($12,030). Additional Turkey Valley projects include replacing pillars ($16,000) and doors ($39,496).
Early Deadlines For Independence Day TOP: Logan is shown with Iowa linebacker and Decorah native Josey Jewel at the 5K. ABOVE: Logan Manderfield wears a Decorah Fire Department helmet. RIGHT: Participants take part in a 5K walk to raise funds for muscular dystrophy research in an event called "Logan's Hope," after St. Lucas native Logan Manderfield. Photos courtesy Manderfield family
News and Advertising deadlines will move up with Independence Day, Monday, July 4. Deadlines for both News and Advertising will be 5 p.m., Thursday, June 30, one day earlier than normal. Legal notices should be submitted by
5 p.m. Wednesday. The office of the Calmar Courier will be closed July 4 in observance of the holiday. Normal hours will resume Tuesday, July 5 at 8 a.m.
In this Issue: Local News ............... 2-3 Worship/Obituaries ... 6-7 Opinion ........................ 8
Legals ..................... 9-10 Classifieds ................. 10 Sports ....................11-12