Category Archives: Schools

Nov 06

Northeast Hamilton one step closer to elimination

Posted on Monday, November 6, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Late last month, the Webster City and Northeast Hamilton school districts approved reorganization petitions for a vote in April. The story from the Webster City Freeman-Journal mentions “two possible district maps” and I admit I don’t know what this means … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Northeast Hamilton one step closer to elimination
Oct 31

North Tama volleyball one step from state

Posted on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In the span of three school years — fall 2010 to spring 2013 — North Tama sports had their best overall period in school history. Those three years included appearances in the state tournament in four different sports: football (state … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Sports, Tama County | Comments Off on North Tama volleyball one step from state
Oct 24

Decorah-North Winn consolidation vote set

Posted on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at 10:10 AM by Jeff

July 25, 2016: North Winneshiek school, east-southeast of Burr Oak on County Road W34. Open in new tab to see larger version. We knew this was going to happen. A year and a half after the North Winneshiek school district … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Decorah-North Winn consolidation vote set
Oct 20

Roland-Story needs an outlet

Posted on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Next year, the Roland-Story school district will mark 50 years since consolidation. The district wants to build new athletic facilities, reports the Ames Tribune, but — in a sign of how old things are — the school is “landlocked” and … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Roland-Story needs an outlet
Oct 18

Who gets the flugelhorn?

Posted on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Questions that must be asked, just not to the State Board of Education… All other issues raised, including the ownership of the “famous flugelhorn,” are deemed irrelevant to the question of the legality of the whole-grade sharing agreement and accordingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Who gets the flugelhorn?
Oct 16

Harmony, Van Buren move toward consolidation

Posted on Monday, October 16, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Harmony school district is about to face the music. At the end of August, the Harmony and Van Buren school boards met to start petitions for consolidation of the two districts. (Story: KTVO) The “new” name would be Van … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Harmony, Van Buren move toward consolidation
Oct 06

Alta-Aurelia consolidation approved

Posted on Friday, October 6, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Alta and Aurelia school districts — one mostly in Buena Vista County, the other mostly in Cherokee County — extended their whole-grade-sharing agreement last year. Last month, however, they dove into full reorganization, effective next year. Story: Cherokee Chronicle-Times. … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Alta-Aurelia consolidation approved
Oct 02

Iowa Falls, Alden set 10-year sharing agreement

Posted on Monday, October 2, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

More than a year after Iowa Falls exerted pressure on Alden to end its current grade-sharing arrangements, Iowa Falls got what it wanted. (Story: KLMJ) The deal, which will last until 2028 (PDF), matches up with the previous arrangement except … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Iowa Falls, Alden set 10-year sharing agreement
Sep 27

20th anniversary of North Tama school addition

Posted on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

September 27 and 28, 1997: Video stills of the north side of North Tama school, the weekend of a dedication ceremony for the addition with a multipurpose room (above), Iowa Communications Network room, and kindergarten. The first of two substantial … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Tama County | Comments Off on 20th anniversary of North Tama school addition
Sep 25

Longest K-6 districts highest in per-pupil funding

Posted on Monday, September 25, 2017, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Here’s an interesting data point that has emerged in the discussion of inequity in per-pupil funding among school districts in Iowa: The two districts with the longest one-way whole-grade-sharing arrangements are also maxed out in funding. Delwood has sent grades … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Longest K-6 districts highest in per-pupil funding