Category Archives: Schools

Aug 14

Hamburg and Farragut: Shotgun wedding or else

April 15, 2009: When Farragut and Hamburg became Nishnabotna, Iowa lost one of its unique team names, the Admirals and Admiralettes/Adettes. The Farragut girls won the state basketball title in 1971, and Steve Buttry wrote about it in 1996. (Part … Continue reading

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Aug 06

Independence high school building deal falls through

It would cost 10 times as much to refurbish the Independence High School complex than demolish it, the city says, and so it won’t even buy the building and land for $1. The Independence school district opened a new high … Continue reading

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Jul 31

The ghost of Reynolds Elementary

The editor of the Dickinson County News remembers his time at Reynolds Elementary School in Spencer, and when he decided to take a local legend into his own hands. The Spencer school district tore down the building last month.

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Jul 22

“Southeast Valley” continues trend toward vague district names

June 4, 2014: Prairie Valley Elementary School (K-4) is not in Farnhamville itself, but rather at the intersection of P41 and D26, a couple miles southeast of Somers. It is one of only two schools in Iowa I am aware … Continue reading

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Jul 15

New school name is half a loaf for North Liberty

Last week, the Iowa City school board determined names for buildings soon to be built, including a high school on the east side of North Liberty. That one will be called Liberty High School. But why not “North Liberty High”? It’s both … Continue reading

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Jul 10

CIML split all about Des Moines vs. suburbs

The news of a potential split in the 19-team Central Iowa Metro League* bears some similarities to what went on in college sports the past half-decade. This time, though, it’s the have-nots taking the initiative and separating from the haves. … Continue reading

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Jun 21

My column on Manilla, and school closings in general

Published in The Des Moines Register today.

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Jun 09

Article about upcoming school mergers

In the Register. All of these districts have been in whole-grade sharing for a while now (Clarion-Goldfield and Dows for a decade, which frankly stuns me). Once these go through, and Clearfield dissolves, the state’s list of sharing agreements will … Continue reading

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Jun 03

One week ago: Final bell in Clearfield, and a school list update

KMA Radio was there for tiny Clearfield’s last day of school (and still using my picture for the story). In addition to that, some other research has led to additions from western Iowa in my school district and building timeline. … Continue reading

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May 23

A Clearfield reunion before the final bell

The Clearfield school district in southwest Iowa is holding a reunion for all students and teachers today at 5 PM, reports the Creston News-Advertiser. There’s one more week of classes at the school before the district dissolves.

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