Category Archives: Schools

Jul 27

Hardy Consolidated, then un-consolidated

Here’s a story about a school district dissolving before formation of modern school districts was really a thing in Iowa.

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Jul 20

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton’s longest day

It’s championship or bust for Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton — not only in softball, but for all but one of its sports teams, period. The Spartans are a 1-seed playing in Fort Dodge today at noon. Seven hours later, in Audubon, the … Continue reading

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Jun 23

Dubuque moving ahead with middle school’s closure

Despite the failure of a bond referendum last November, the Dubuque Community School District is moving forward with a plan to close one of its two century-old middle school/junior high facilities and move those students to a much newer building. … Continue reading

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May 28

Des Moines’ Moulton Elementary ends service

Moulton Elementary School in Des Moines, the core of which began life as the original Des Moines North High School, will be demolished this summer. The oldest part is 110 years old. The Des Moines City Council approved demolition in … Continue reading

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Mar 18

A look at statewide enrollment tables

Enrollment at public schools in Iowa dropped by the most in four decades, both numerically and percentage wise, and the Iowa Department of Education seriously underplayed it. There was so much to write about from that angle, in fact, that … Continue reading

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Mar 03

Mandated March spring break a possibility

My Substack “sports grab bag” a month ago started with the re-emergence of the “Iowa High School Sports History” website and also mentioned a good bill in the Legislature (mandating acceptance of cash for event admissions) and a very bad … Continue reading

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Feb 25

Orient school demolished

The main building of Orient-Macksburg Community School District has been demolished before the district technically ceases to exist. WOI has a story with video of the demolition. The stone “Orient Consolidated School” plinth above the main entrance was removed beforehand. … Continue reading

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Jan 20

Original Orient school will be demolished

The main building of Orient-Macksburg Community School will be demolished in the upcoming months, according to the Adair County Free Press. The school board and Orient City Council met in November to discuss the future of the school complex. For … Continue reading

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Dec 22

Degner named Superintendent of the Year

The website K-12 Dive has named Iowa City superintendent Matt Degner its Superintendent of the Year. Degner is a North Tama graduate, hence the link here, and because it’s that time of year.

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Nov 06

Gladbrook-Reinbeck bond issue succeeds — barely

Well, how about that. It took Grundy County voting more than 90% in favor, but it happened. I cover the G-R bond vote and many more, with a map of every district in the state that had a bond referendum, … Continue reading

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