The draft of the Return to Learn Plan for the Spencer Community School District that was released earlier this week describes three ways the district could return to school next month. Spencer Schools are scheduled to begin classes on August 24 for grades 9-12 and August 25 for grades K-8. How classes look when students are asked to begin, though, comes down to the Return to Learn Plan. The plan, as its introduction describes, “is intended to assist staff, students and families in providing direction and clarification for the return to learning in the fall.” The plan, an effort to create a safe environment as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, provides descriptions of roles and responsibilities for “stakeholders” based on three possible scenarios for how school classes may look: in-person, completely remote or online learning, or a hybrid model of the two.
Education
Spencer High School drama department receives Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards honors
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Spencer High School drama department has received the following honors through the Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards, presented by EMC Insurance Companies, for its November production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Production Awards
Outstanding Overall Technical and Creative Achievement
Student Awards
Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Rhyan Busch as “Quasimodo” **Triple Threat NominationOutstanding Performance in a Principal Role – Natalie Kroll as “Esmeralda” **Triple Threat NominationOutstanding Publicity – Kyle GoekenOutstanding Costume Design – Natalie Kroll
Special Recognition
Special Recognition for Performance in a Principal Role – Kyle Goeken as “Claude Frollo”Special Recognition for Properties – Rhyan BuschSpecial Recognition for Set Construction – Serenity KollaschSpecial Recognition for Community Support
Due to COVID-19, Des Moines Performing Arts earlier announced that the 2020 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase scheduled for June 1, 2020 at the Des Moines Civic Center has been cancelled. In this unprecedented time of social distancing, theaters ranging from Broadway to high school auditoriums are dark across the country. In addition to impacting the year-end IHSMTA Showcase, a significant number of participating school productions were unable to be performed as scheduled due to school closures. Despite these challenges, the IHSMTA program remains committed to supporting students and drama programs across the state during this time.
City Council
Spencer City Council, School Board and other Clay County election results
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Here are the unofficial election results of last night’s Spencer City Council, School Board and other Clay County elections. Spencer
MayorKevin Robinson – 1,055 votes (97.32%)Write-in – 29 votes (2.68%)
City Council At-LargeLoren H. Reit – 724 votes (63.62%)Rich Prentice – 412 votes (36.2%)Write-in – 2 votes (0.18%)
City Council Ward 2Bill Orrison – 106 votes (95.5%)Write-in – 5 votes (4.5%)
City Council Ward 3 (to fill vacancy)Tracey Larsen – 131 votes (50.38%)Reynold L. Peterson – 126 votes (48.46%)Write-in – 3 votes (1.15%)
City Council Ward 4Donavon Wunschel – 245 votes (53.38%)Duane Bates – 214 votes (46.62%)
Spencer Hospital Trustee (top 3 elected)Steve Lensing – 920 votes (33.38%)Bruce Nystrom – 914 votes (33.16%)Julie Christensen – 912 votes (33.09%)Write-in – 10 votes (0.36%)
Spencer School Director At-Large (top 2 elected)Brea Schmidt – 976 votes (50.62%)Jeremy Parsons – 943 votes (48.91%)Write-in – 9 votes (0.47%)
Dickens
MayorMark H. Jones – 18 votes (100%)
City Council At-Large (top 3 elected)Perry A. Leslie – 19 votes (36.54%)Marlin A. Hagedorn – 18 votes (34.62%)Jon W Jones – 15 votes (28.85%)
Everly
MayorBradly J. Behrens – 76 votes (91.57%)Write-in – 7 votes (8.43%)
City Council At-Large (top 3 elected)Joshua Muckey – 81 votes (34.18%)Tara Patrick – 80 votes (33.76%)Shawn Iske – 70 votes (29.54%)Write-in – 6 votes (2.53%)
City Council At-Large (to fill vacancy)Tracey Grigg Schuver – 81 votes (98.78%)Write-in – 1 vote (1.22%)
City of Everly Public Measure EQYes – 69 votes (81.18%)No – 16 votes (18.82%)
Fostoria
MayorMarlin Voss – 21 votes (77.78%)Write-in – 6 votes (22.22%)
City Council At-Large (top 2 elected)Randall Anderson – 24 votes (52.17%)Write-in – 22 votes (47.83%)
Gillett Grove
MayorWrite-in – 4 votes (100%)
City Council At-Large (top 5 elected)Write-in – 14 votes (100%)
Greenville
MayorDonald Scott – 17 votes (85%)Write-in – 3 votes (15%)
City Council At-Large (top 5 elected)Nicole Lange – 20 votes (19.23%)Vincent S. Trierweiler – 20 votes (19.23%)Kayla Koch – 15 votes (14.42%)Danny Knutson – 13 votes (12.5%)Donna Koch – 12 votes (11.54%)Colleen Madson – 7 votes (6.73%)Write-in – 17 votes (16.35%)**A write-in candidate with more than 12 votes would be elected. Peterson
MayorCarolyn Roberts – 68 votes (98.55%)Write-in – 1 vote (1.45%)
City Council At-Large (top 2 elected)Vince McGee – 61 votes (51.26%)Gage A. Anderson – 57 votes (47.9%)Write-in – 1 vote (0.84%)
Rossie
MayorWrite-in – 8 votes (100%)
City Council At-Large (top 5 elected)Write-in – 40 votes (100%)
Royal
MayorJoshua Toft – 79 votes (97.53%)Write-in – 2 votes (2.47%)
City Council At-Large (top 3 elected)Jeff Van Westen – 66 votes (26.4%)Matt Goyette – 55 votes (22%)Jim Virelli – 43 votes (17.2%)James Ransom – 33 votes (13.2%)Scott Anderson – 19 votes (7.6%)Bob Seymour – 19 votes (7.6%)Chris Francis – 15 votes (6%)
Webb
MayorMike Hildebrand – 22 votes (95.65%)Write-in – 1 vote (4.35%)
City Council At-Large (top 2 elected)Thomas Hansen – 22 votes (53.66%)Write-in – 19 votes (46.34%)
City Council At-Large (to fill vacancy)Melissa S. Loontjer – 16 votes (61.54%)Matthew Anderson – 10 votes (38.46%)
Schools*
*Clay County precincts only. Clay Central-Everly
Board Director District 1Allyn Heikens – 177 votes (76.62%)Lori Adrian – 54 votes (23.38%)
Board Director District 3Write-in – 16 votes (100%)
Graettinger-Terril
Board Director District 1Patrick Fairchild – 13 votes (100%)
Board Director District 2Kevin Jensen – 10 votes (62.5%)Jerimiah DePyper – 6 votes (37.5%)
Public Measure GTNo – 12 votes (80%)Yes – 3 votes (20%)
Okoboji
Board Director At-Large (top 3 elected)Jon Pausley – 13 votes (33.33%)John Klopstad – 12 votes (30.77%)Travy Evans – 11 votes (28.21%)Write-in – 3 votes (7.69%)
Okoboji Schools Public Measure GSYes – 23 votes (76.67%)No – 7 votes (23.33%)
Ruthvyn-Ayrshire
Board Director At-Large (top 4 elected)Jill Conlon – 6 votes (27.27%)Tracey Enderson – 6 votes (27.27%)Stephanie Fay – 5 votes (22.73%)Heather Ruehle – 5 votes (22.73%)
Sioux Central
Board Director District 1Michelle Patten – 119 votes (99.71%)Write-in – 1 vote (0.83%)
Board Director District 4Kevin Lindquist – 116 votes (95.87%)Write-in – 5 votes (4.13%)
Board Director District 5Write-in – 33 votes (100%)
South O’Brien
Board Director At-LargeJohn Beck – 2 votes (100%)Sue E. McCauley – 0 votes
Board Director District 2Julie Paulsen – 2 votes (100%)
Board Director District 4 Beth A. Sibenaller-Woodall – 2 votes
Board Director District 5Write-in – 0 votes
Community Colleges*
*Clay County precincts only. Iowa Lakes Community College
Board Director District 1Arden N. Kinnander – 13 votes
Board Director District 4Jane Nolan Goeken – 853 votes (99.53%)Write-in 4 votes (0.47%)
Board Director District 5Todd N. Johnson – 389 votes (98.73%)Write-in – 5 votes (1.27%)
City Council
Here’s who is running for Spencer City Council and other Clay County elections
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The Clay County Auditor’s office this week released the names that will appear on ballots November 5 as voters participate in city and school elections. City of Spencer
MayorKevin Robinson (incumbent)
City Council Ward 2William Orrison (incumbent)
City Council Ward 4Donavon WunschelDuane Bates
City Council At-LargeRich Prentice (incumbent)Loren H. Reit
City Council Ward 3 (to fill vacancy)Reynold L. PetersonTracey Larsen
Hospital Trustee (voters select up to three)Julie ChristensenBruce NystromSteve Lensing
Spencer Community School District
School Board Director At-Large (voters select up to two)Brea SchmidtJeremy Parsons
City of Dickens
MayorMark H. Jones
City Council (voters select up to three)Perry A. LeslieJon W JonesMarlin A. Hagedorn
City of Everly
MayorBradly J. Behrens
City Council (voters select up to three)Joshua MuckeyTara PatrickShawn Iske
City Council (to fill vacancy)Tracey Grigg Schuver
City of Fostoria
MayorMarlin Voss
City Council (voters select up to two)Randall AndersonNo candidate
City of Gillett Grove
MayorNo candidate
City Council (voters select up to five)No candidate
City of Greenville
MayorDonald Scott
City Council (voters select up to five)Donna KochNicole LangeDanny KnutsonColleen MadsonVincent S. TrierweilerKayla Koch
City of Peterson
MayorCarolyn Roberts
City Council (voters select up to two)Gave A. AndersonVince McGee
City of Rossie
MayorNo candidate
City Council (voters select up to five)No candidate
City of Royal
MayorJoshua Toft
City Council (voters select up to three)Chris FrancisJeff Van WestenBob SeymourJames RansomScott AndersonMatt GoyetteJim Virelli
City of Webb
MayorMike Hildebrand
City Council (voters select up to two)Thomas Hansen
City Council (to fill vacancy; voters select one)Melissa S. LoontjerMatthew Anderson
Clay Central-Everly Community School District
School Board Director District 1Allyn HeikensLori Adrian
School Board Director District 3No candidate
Iowa Lakes Community College
Board Member Director District 4 (Spencer)Jane Nolan Goeken
Other school districts
Graettinger-Terril Community School District
School Board Director District 1Patrick Fairchild
School Board Director District 2 (voters select up to two)Kevin JensenJerimiah DePyper
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District
School Board Director District 1Ryan Haack
School Board Director District 4Scott Heetland
School Board Director District 2 (to fill vacancy; voters select one)Anthony DiehmDavid Vander Broek
Laurens-Marathon Community School District
School Board Director At-Large (voters select up to three)Matt HertzJason GustafsonNo candidate
Okoboji Community School District
School Board Director At-Large (voters select up to three)John KlopstadTracy EvansJon Pausley
Ruthven-Aryshire Community School District
School Board Director At-Large (voters select up to four)Stephanie FayHeather RuehleTracey EndersonJill Conlon
Sioux Central Community School District
School Board director District 1Michelle Patten
School Board Director District 4Kevin Lindquist
School Board Director District 5No candidate
South O’Brien Community School District
School Board Director At-Large (voters select one)Sue E. McCauleyJohn Beck
School Board Director District 2Julie Paulsen
School Board Director District 4Beth A. Sibenaller-Woodall
School Board Director District 5No candidate
Education
Legislative priorities discussed at Iowa Lakes Trustees meeting
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ESTHERVILLE – The members of the Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College were updated Tuesday afternoon about priorities for the upcoming legislative session and learned about continuing education and training opportunities available at Iowa lakes. M.J. Dolan, the Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT), provided an updated report and discussed the legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Dolan introduced Denise Hollenbeck, Trustee from Eastern Iowa Community College District and Chair of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. Hollenbeck discussed the importance of advocacy for community colleges to be united with one voice. Jolene Rogers, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations, introduced Gary Schmidt, Industrial Training Programmer, and Bill Dickey, Continuing Education Programmer.
Education
Brad Hovick Memorial Scholarship established at Iowa Lakes Community College
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Iowa Lakes Community College is honored to announce the Brad Hovick Memorial Scholarship has been entrusted to the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation. The scholarship was first established by Merlyn (Mert) and Shirley Hovick and their family in July 1996. The scholarship was established to honor their son Brad Hovick after he passed away in a tragic accident in 1995. For many years, the scholarship was sustained by the support of community members and friends who participated in the Brad Hovick Memorial Golf Tournament each year. Since its inception, nearly 100 students have benefited from the scholarship.
Education
Iowa Lakes Trustees updated on Certified Nurse Aide Program
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ALGONA, Iowa – The Iowa Lakes Community College Board of Trustees met July 16 on the Algona Campus to conclude the 2019 summer tour of campuses. Robert Leifeld, Vice President of Administration, began Tuesday’s meeting by introducing Theresa Waechter, Algona Campus Supervisor. Waechter provided a brief update regarding current happenings on the Algona Campus and discussed the many exciting events that have taken place on campus throughout the past year. Following her presentation, she introduced Dawn Kollasch, Allied Health Programmer, for Iowa Lakes Community College. Kollasch presented to the Board of Trustees on the many opportunities available through the Certified Nurse Aide Program (C.N.A.) at Iowa Lakes.
Education
Iowa Lakes students awarded over $177K through Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship Program
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Students enrolled in high-employment demand programs at Iowa Lakes Community College have hit the jackpot through the Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship program, with student aid awards of over $177,000 to-date for the fall semester. “The Last Dollar Scholarship program is making a tremendous impact on our students and their families. This opportunity is too good to overlook, and those interested in one of our qualifying programs should visit Iowa Lakes to take advantage of the financial support offered for the upcoming academic year,” said Iowa Lakes Community College President Valerie Newhouse. The Last Dollar Scholarship program is available to recent high school graduates and employed or unemployed adults who are seeking to improve their skills and have been a resident of Iowa for at least the past five years. There is still time to qualify for this Last Dollar Scholarship program as students have until August 1, 2019, to complete their FAFSA.
Education
Iowa Lakes instructor presents at Dubuque Author Fair
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Iowa Lakes Community College adjunct instructor Michael Tidemann presented a program at the Dubuque Local Author Fair Saturday, June 15. Authors from Dubuque and the surrounding area participated. Tidemann
Tidemann discussed the historical sources of his novel Letters from Elk City, which included several years of research and travel to the Pacific Northwest and Civil War battlefields. He also moderated a fiction-writing panel. Tidemann’s monthly book review, Writers and Writing, appears in the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald and 108 other newspapers in the Upper Midwest.
Education
Iowa Lakes students participate in National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference
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EMMETSBURG – Iowa Lakes Community College Administrative Professional students attended the National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California, May 1-5. The Iowa Lakes Chapter members, Anthony Rippentrop of Woden Lizandra Crewe-Brown of South Africa, Kaleb Combs of Waterloo and Maggie Jackson of Emmetsburg joined nearly 6,000 conference delegates from across the nation to compete in the nation level business skills competitions and attended leadership development, workshops, and general sessions. In addition to having the opportunity to compete on the national stage and to learn from leading business professionals, students experienced Anaheim, California and the surrounding areas. “Each year, the National Leadership Conference offers students the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against other students from across the country, and be recognized for their dedication and hard work that they have put forth through the year,” said Deb Jones, Administrative Professionals Professor and BPA Advisor. “This year, Maggie Jackson of Emmetsburg received sixth place in Integrated Office Applications and Certified in Microsoft Office Powerpoint as part of the Competition,” said Jones.
Education
Heldt-Laker Memorial Golf Outing set for July 12, 2019
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The Heldt-Laker Memorial Golf Outing is Friday, July 12 at the Estherville Golf Course. The annual golf event is in honor of Linda Heldt, a 25-year employee of Iowa Lakes Community College, who in her position as Athletic Administrative Assistant served not only as a great asset to the Athletic department but also a positive influence on the students, coaches, officials and co-workers. The Heldt-Laker Memorial Golf Outing provides scholarship funds for student athletes at Iowa Lakes. “I am excited about the upcoming Heldt-Laker Memorial Golf Outing. It is our primary fundraiser for athletic scholarships. All proceeds go directly to student athlete scholarships, which allows us to recruit the right type of students and have successful teams,” Troy Larson, Athletic Director of Iowa Lakes Community College said. “Honoring Linda Heldt annually at this event is meaningful as well. Linda cared deeply about Iowa Lakes and our student athletes, so it is more than appropriate we honor her name by awarding these scholarships. I am looking forward to a good turnout and a great event,” Larson said. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and includes lunch with a 12 p.m. shotgun start.