NDN-10-10-2017

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Grassley to speak at REG in Newton Senator to speak against slashing ethanol production By David Dolmage Newton Daily News

David Dolmage/Daily News Board President Travis Padget listens as Superintendent Bob Callaghan discusses the budget impact of hiring additional educational associates for the Newton Community School district during its regular board meeting Monday night.

Newton schools to add additional educational associates Board cites possible need to increase tax levy By David Dolmage Newton Daily News In an effort to address the needs of special education students in the district, the Newton Community School District board gave its approval to hire additional educational associates at Monday night’s regular board meeting. Questions still remain as to how the district will address the funding shortfall in special education. Board President Travis Padget said the district may need to consider increasing the tax levy in next year’s budget. Following the last board meeting, Superintendent Bob Callaghan reached out to principals to query them about the need for additional educational associates. Initially, administrators identified a need for five more educational associates, two at Berg Middle School, and one each at Thomas Jefferson, Emerson Hough and Aurora Heights Middle Schools. On Monday, Callaghan informed the board that number has risen to six, with an additional associate needed at Woodrow Wilson

Elementary. The average salary for a paraprofessional is $13.51 an hour and all of the positions would be part-time, with a schedule of 27.5 hours per week. The proposal would cost the district approximately $90,000 and would increase the budget shortfall in special education to a projected $404,000. During Monday’s meeting principals testified before the board that increased staffing was essential to meet the needs of special education students. Each special education student has an Individualized Education Plan, an IEP, which is updated yearly. The plans are tailored to each student, and many include a requirement for the student to receive one on one assistance. With an increasing number of students, educators are strained to provide the resources state law requires. Emerson Hough Principal Jolene Comer said teachers have skipped lunches and given up on prep time in order to meet the needs of special education students. With only three educational associates for K-5 students, Thomas Jefferson Principal Tri-

Art Teacher of the Year PCM educator recognized for dedication, tireless enthusiasm By David Dolmage Newton Daily News She won’t tell you herself, but ask any one of Christy Humpal’s peers and they’ll tell you; there’s no one more dedicated and deserving than Humpal. Monroe Elementary Principal Ryan Roozeboom said it wasn’t surprising to find out Monroe elementary teacher had been named Iowa’s Art Teacher of the Year — he’s seen firsthand what she brings to the classroom. With nearly 20 years of ex-

perience, Roozeboom knows Humpal is someone he can count on. He’s been watching her take art above and beyond the classroom for years. “She’s a phenomenal art teacher,” Roozeboom said. “She’s a really good teammate and she has a super positive attitude, she’s always helping out whenever we need her.” For Humpal, the recognition is both humbling and gratifying. She’s always been focused on her students, and when she found out she won the award she said she wasn’t quite sure how to react. In her acceptance speech at the annual conference she made a point to thank her peers, praising “the support from teams of strong teachers.” ART | 3A

sca Mick said she’s been using substitutes every week to cover the gap. “We are trying to figure out in any way we possibly can to cover the minutes,” Mick said. Board member Robyn Friedman said she supported the decision to hire additional staff, telling fellow board members it is critical the board addresses teachers’ needs in order to build trust with staff. “If we’re going to make this situation better we are the ones that give the OK,” Friedman said. “We need to do our part, they’ve been attempting to do their part.” Callaghan cautioned board members that continuing to increase spending would have an adverse effect on the district’s budget and may require increasing the tax levy in the future. Board members will set the district budget for fiscal year 2019 next April, and board president Padget called the tax levy “the next step in the conversation.” Padget said historically the board has been very cautious ASSOCIATES | 3A

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Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com

Water control plant to add UV disinfection system By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News To comply with an Iowa Department of Natural Resources requirement, the city is contracting services for an ultra-violet disinfection system. Newton City Council awarded the $786,634 bid to Calacci Construction, of Iowa City, to complete the work. “This is something that the DNR has been after us to do for quite some time,” mayor Mike Hansen said. The Newton Water Pollu-

tion Control Plant discharges treated wastewater into Cardinal Creek based on requirements issued by the IDNR. When reissuHansen ing discharge permits in 2014, the updated permit requirements included a disinfection system be installed and operational by Sept. 1, 2018. Ames-based FOX Engi-

neering is in the process of updating the Newton facility and as a part of the overall facility plan, a disinfection facility plan has been created and accepted by IDNR to use the UV disinfection system. “The DNR had mandated that wastewater install some type of a disinfecting prior to releasing its flow into Cardinal Creek. This is done with UV lights,” Newton Public Works Director Jody Rhone said. “They are basically tubes that stick down into the

LOCAL

WHERE IT’S AT Astrograph......................5B Calendar..........................5A Classifieds......................4B

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley will be in Newton Tuesday afternoon to bolster support for a bill that will b r i n g changes in the way ethanol tax credits Grassley are administered. Previously, the ethanol tax credit has been a “blenders” credit, but the Republican lawmaker has been drumming up support to allow producers to receive the tax credit. Employees at REG, where Grassley will make his appearance, are supportive of the change. They believe that too many tax dollars are being set overseas, without enough staying in the United States. Sen. Chaz Allen, D-Newton will also speak at the event in hopes of casting a national spotlight on Iowa’s biodiesel production. Grassley’s bill, the American Renewable Fuel and Job Creation Act of 2017, extends this important clean-fuel incentive for three years and reforms the incentive by transferring the credit from the blenders to the producers of bio-

fuels. The switch ensures that the tax credit incentivizes domestic production and taxpayers aren’t subsidizing imported fuel. Since 2014, biofuels imports have increased from 510 million gallons to about one billion gallons in 2016. Already in the first quarter of 2017, imports are 10 percent higher than they were at this time in 2016. In many cases, foreign biodiesel benefits both from the existing tax credit and from additional foreign subsidies, which makes it difficult for domestic biodiesel facilities to compete. In 2015 alone, the U.S. Treasury spent more than $600 million on tax credits for imported biodiesel and renewable diesel. Grassley and Cantwell’s bill will help the industry grow to its full potential. “U.S. tax policy should support U.S. products and U.S. jobs,” Grassley said. “This bipartisan bill would end a system that gives many foreign producers a leg up over U.S. producers and give certainty to the biodiesel industry, which is responsible for employing thousands of Americans. U.S. producers shouldn’t be put at a disadvantage by foreign producers that in many cases are double dipping by benefiting from U.S. tax incentives on top of their own significant government subsidies. These reforms supporting domestic producers would also save U.S. taxpayers money. Policies ought to encourage the production of domestic renewable fuels to meet consumer demand and support the creation of American jobs.”

Comics & Puzzles...........6A Dear Abby........................6A Local Sports......................1B

Obituaries.......................5A Opinion............................4A State News......................7A

NOVUS Glass in Newton

Business is calling Newton home / 7A

UV | 3A

Volume No. 116 No. 101 2 sections 18 pages

Thank you Karen Sherratt of Newton for subscribing to the Newton Daily News. To subscribe, call 641-792-5320 or visit newtondailynews.com.


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