Newton Independent

Newton teacher's union makes initial contract proposal to district

By PETER HUSSMANN

Teachers in the Newton school district union are asking for "a reasonable package increase" from the district that would include a 1 percent salary increase, covering the insurance increase without changes to coverage and aging of the salary schedule.

The proposals, including the possibility of a mult-year agreement should terms be acceptable, were included in the Newton Community Education Association's initial contract proposal made to the school district on Monday.

In addition to the salary and insurance coverage requests, the Newton teacher's union is asking that a $500 bonus be provided for five consecutive years of coaching a particular sport. The calculation of the five years would begin according to the following proposed schedule:

2012-13 - Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Spirit Squads
2013-14 - Swimming, Tennis, Golf, Wrestling, Track, Soccer
2014-15 - Football, Publications, Music, Drama, Cross Country, Bowling
2015-16 - Student Council, Speech, Cooperative Programs, Supervisory/Bookkeeping

The union is also asking for some changes to the current contract language pertaining to voluntary transfers and sick leave.

In regard to transfers, the NCEA is aksing for new language that states that "consideration for transfer will be given to teachers within the building where the vacancy exist, then to the like-grade level building, then to the like-geographic area building and finally to the building of the other grade level in the other geographic area."

In regard to sick leave, the union is asking that employees be allowed the option of allocating up to five of their accrued sick days to the Sick Day Bank for use by employees who are out of sick days but must miss school because of personal illness or injury. Individuals would be allowed to use up to 10 days from the Sick Day Bank each year. The superintendent would be allowed discretion to grant additional use of Sick Bank Days to an employee under extenuating circumstances.

Further, the NCEA is asking that unused sick days be paid upon retirement at the rate of $20 per day unused. At the five-year anniversary of employment in the district and at each subsequent five-year anniversay, employees would have the option of trading unused sick days for a Series E savings bond with a face value equal to $20 per day redeemed.

The Newton Community School District will make its initial contract proposal to the teacher's union in the near future. The union reserved the right to raise additional items in response to the district's proposals.

Newton school district seeking applicants to fill vacant school board seat

Newton Independent

Residents of the Newton Community School District interested in being appointed to fill the open seat on the school board are being asked to fill out an application form and returning it to the distict by March 8 in order to be considered for the position.

The vacancy occurred following the resignation of Jeremy Heaberlin earlier this month. Heaberlin, who is leaving the district, was elected last fall to fill the unexpired term of Melissa Hintz, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Sheri Benson who resigned shortly after being re-elected two years ago.

The individual selected will serve until the fall of 2013.

Tentative plans call for those seeking appointment to the post to attend a candidate forum to be sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Jasper County.

Free workshop being offered on starting, growing a business

Newton Independent

Area residents interested in starting or growing their own business are invited to a free workshop in early April sponsored by SCORE, a business development assistance program, and the Newton Development Corporation.

Individuals attending the two evening sessions set for April 9 and April 11 will learn how about business planning, legal issues, marketing, taxes,insurance, banking, accounting and personal factors involved in operating a business.

The classes will run from 5:45 to 9 p.m. both evenings. The sessions will be held in the offices of the Newton Development Corporation located in Room 264 on the second floor of the Newton DMACC campus.

Those interested in attending the free workshops are asked to RSVP by 8 a.m. Monday, April 9, by calling 641-787-8210.

A brochure outling the program offerings in further detail can be downloaded below.

Download SCORE Brochure April 2012

Sen. Black votes for continued funding of 'early intervention' education block grant program

Newton Independent

Senate Democrats on Monday voted to reinstate $30 million in funding to a block grant program set to expire this year that is used to help Iowa school districts reduce class sizes in the early grades.

On a party line vote of 26 to 24, the Senate passed Senate File 2219 that continues indefinately the "early intervention block grant program" that is currently set to expire on July 1.

"For students to do their best, they need a great start," said Sen. Dennis Black, D-Lynnville. "Especially when the focus is learning to learn, like in kindergarten through third grade, more one-on-one time with teachers can make a big difference for the rest of a student's life."

Local school districts, Black said, stand to lose significant class size reduction dollars should the measure fail. The Iowa House is proposing to use the grant money for unspecified educational reform measures, he said.

The Iowa Department of Education estimates that should the early intervention funding be discontinued, school districts in Jasper County would lose the following amounts of state money:

• Newton - $202,033
• Baxter$23,229
• Colfax-Mingo - $45,629
• Lynnville-Sully - $23,246
• PCM - $55,512

Tickets on sale for Skiff Auxiliary's Chair-ries Jubilee

Newton Independent

The Skiff Auxiliary's Chair-ries Jubilee fundraiser event will be held on Saturday, April 21, at the Moose Lodge in Newton.

This year's event, which raises funds to support a variety of projects at Skiff Medical Center, brings back the tradition of auctioning custom-decorated chairs. The chairs will be featued in both the silent and live auctions.

The silent auction kicks off the evening beginning at 6 p.m. with a live auction set for 7:30 p.m.

Music will be provided by The Riveras, a '50s and '60s rock 'n roll band, sponsored by Hawkeye Mutual Insurance. Hors d'ouevres will be served and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.

Project slated for funding by the Auxiliary this year at Skiff include student scholarships, the purchase of audiology AuDX hardware and software ($8,459) and the purchase of blanket warmer/solution ($5,000).

Tickets are now on sale for the event for $25 at the Skiff Gift Shop near the main entrance to the Newton hospital. Tickets may also be purchased at First Newton National Bank in downtown Newton.

Tickets at the door will cost $30.

For more information, contact Terri Hayden at 641-791-4350.

'Is baseball a religion?'

Newton Independent

"The Truth is Out There" is the title of a presentation set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 308 E. 2nd St. N.

Dr. Henry Reitz, chair of the Religious Studies Department at Grinnell College, will speak on the different ways of thinking about religion taking into account different cultures and traditions. The question will even be asked, "Is baseball a religion?"

Reitz is an associate professor at Grinnell College and an alumnus of the school. He received his Ph.D in biblical studies from Princeton Theological Seminary and is associate editor of the school's Dead Sea Scrolls Project.

Next week's presentation is the second in a series of presentations at the Newton Congregational church that explore faith traditions from around the world. Upcoming presentations, sponsored by the church's Christian Education Committee, will cover Judaism and Islam.

The free presentation will include time for questions and answers. The public is invited.

'Skit Guys of FCC' to perform at St. Luke

Newton Independent

The "Skit Guys of FCC" in Newton, John Dougan and Scott Schaeffer, will perform at St. Luke United Methodist Church during services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The two Newton performers, who have extensive experience in Newton Community Theatre productions, will present the skit, "God's Chisel," by the original "Skit Guys" Eddie James and Tommy Woodard.

In addition to the performance, Pastor Audrey Young will provide special music for the Lenten season at both services.

The public is invited.

Vet Day at capitol

Dr. David Larson, owner of the Newton Animal Clinic, met with Rep. Dan Kelley, D-Newton, during Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Day at the statehouse on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

REG reports record profits

Newton Independent

Ames-based Renewable Energy Group, which operates a biodiesel biorefinery in Newton, last week reported record profits of $29.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 comparted to $5.5 million in the same quarter the year before.

The company generated $267 million in revenues for the quarter compared to $70 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.

For the full year, REG reported earnings of $107 million in 2011 compared to just $8 million in 2010.

Revenues for 2011 were $824 million, a 281 percent increase over 2010.

"Biodiesel demand is growing due to the implementation of Renewable Fuel Standard 2," said Daniel Oh, president and CEO of REG. "We are building a business with competitive advantages that can meet this demand. Going into 2012, we believe we are well-positioned as the leading producer of biodiesel from low cost feedstocks in the U.S."

In January, REG completed an IPO of shares of common stock where it sold 7.2 million shares at $10 each. In addition, REG established a five-year $40 million working capital line of credit with Wells Fargo that replaced an existing $10 million line.

REG's record profits come just two years after the company was forced to idle the Newton plant after biodiesel tax credits lapsed.

REG acquired the 30-million-gallon-per-year Newton biodiesel plant in 2010 in an asset purchase agreement approved by unit holders of the former Central Iowa Energy group.

Iowa submits waiver from No Child Left Behind law; application will be withdrawn if no movement on education reform in statehouse

Newton Independent

Officials with the Iowa Department of Education today announced the submission of the state's request for a waiver from the rigid No Child Left Behind acountability measures but warned that should state lawmakers not adopt the education reform measures proposed by Gov. Branstad that the application would be withdrawn.

"Today marks an opportunity for Iowa's schools - an opportunity for this era of blame and shame to come to an end,' said Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass in announcing the submission of the waiver request.

President Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Arne Duncan invited states last August to apply for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind requirements in exchange for rigorous and comprehensive state-developed accountability plans. The waiver applications must meet three principles:

• Adopt college- and career-ready standards for all students
• Redesign the accountability system to fairly identify successes and target supports to schools that are struggling
• Improve evaluation and support systems for teachers and administrators.

Glass said the elements of the education reform legislation introduced by the governor sets the stage for a successful waiver request. The legislation establishes state standards through the Iowa Core, redesigns the assessment system to align with the Iowa Core, includes a college entrace exam for all 11th graders and a career-readiness assessment for students who opt for one and improves teach and principal evaluation processes.

Some of the governor's education reform proposals, however, have been met with resistance from state lawmakers. Glass said he would withdraw the waiver application if there is little or no movement in this area at the State Capitol this session.

"Neither the status-quo policy framework, nor an overly watered-down version of education reform, will meet what has been written into Iowa's waiver," Glass said.

Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia have indicated they will apply for waivers by the second-round deadline, which is today. Eleven states that applied in the first round in November were approved.

Letter: KCs thank Newton YMCA for assistance with free throw contest

To the Newton Independent:

We would like to thank the staff members of the Newton YMCA for their outstanding support and assistance with the recent Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest held locally at the Y facility.

The Monsignor T.J. McCann Council of the Knights of Columbus, Newton, sponsored the qualifying round of the free throw contest on Jan. 29. The first-place age divisional winnters include Dalton Cupples and Ana Coyle (10 year old); Dalton Pauley (11 year old); James Trettin and Courtney Jacobsen (12 year old); Griffin Engel and Taylor Shipley (13 year old); and Jake Karlzen (14 year old). These winners advanced to the Regional Championship round, competing on Sunday, Feb. 26, also at the Newton YMCA.

As many have long known, the Newton YMCA serves as a tremendous asset to the Newton community and it provided a perfect venue for our two rounds of competition. The Y staff worked tirelessly to accommodate the more than 200 participants and spectators - including many out-of-towners - who attended the event this past weekend.

While none of our local contestants have qualified for the State Finals that will be held in Clarion in mid-March, we applaud their best efforts and we greatly appreciate the many area residents who came to cheer and encourage our Newton-area youth in the spirit of competition and sportsmanship.

The Knights of Columbus is extremely grateful to the Newton YMCA staff for its dedication and partnership in making our free throw contest a very successful event.

Msgr. T.J. McCann Council #2663
Knights of Columbus

Local contest winners and a summary of the results can be opened below.

Download Summary of Free Throw Contest

Filing period opens Monday for county candidates in June's primary elections

Newton Independent

The filing period for local Republican and Democratic candidates for the 2012 Jasper County primary elections opens Monday and runs through March 28.

The primary election for Democrats and Republicans will be held on Tuesday, June 16. Winners will have their names automatically placed on the November ballot.

Nomination petitions, which must contain the names of no more than 100 registered voters in the county, need to be filed with the Jasper County Auditor.

Candidates with no party affiliation file nomination petitions during the General Election filing period which comes later in the year.

County offices up for election this fall include one seat on the Jasper County Board of Supervisors currently held by Denny Stevenson, the County Auditor seat held by Dennis Parrott and the Jasper County Sheriff seat held by Mike Balmer.

Late last year, Balmer indicated his intention to retire at the end of his term. Jasper County Chief Deputy John Halferty shortly thereafter announced his intention to seek the sheriff's office on the Democratic Party ticket.

Stevenson and Parrott have not indicated as of yet about their intentions to seek re-election. Both are Democrats.

The filing period for state and federal candidates opened Monday and runs through Friday, March 16.

Letter: Park Board seeking donations for Fourth of July fireworks

To the Newton Independent:

With the colder temperatures it is easy to start thinking about warm summer days. The Newton Park Board is in the same mindset.

We have started fundraising for the 2012 Fourth of July fireworks show. We have set a fundraising goal of $7,000 and would like to have this goal accomplished by April 16. If we reach our goal by this date, we could receive additional fireworks free from a special promotion.

For early sign up, the fireworks company will grant us an additional 8 percent of the total number of fireworks purchased free. This 8 percent will help offset the 10 percent cost increase of fireworks this year. At the end of the day, it literally means we are getting more bang for a buck.

It is important to remember that no tax dollars are spent to purchase fireworks. The money used to host the event comes from individuals, organizations and businesses.

We are asking everyone in our community to help us fundraise for this event. When you support the fireworks fund, you are supporting an event that honors the sacrifices veterans have made; the freedom enjoyed by all Americans and the pride shared among our citizens that ensures our community remains strong.

If you would like to help, please send a check made out to:

City of Newton - Fireworks
3000 N. 4th Ave. E.
Newton, IA 50208

You may also drop off donations at City Hall,, Newton Chamber of Commerce or the Newton Parks Department.

Newton Park Board Members
Adam Vandall
Bruce Showalter
Dan Kelley
Debb Smith
Dennis Combs

YMCA Penguin swim team to compete at state meet

The Newton YMCA Penguins swim team will be competing at the state meet in Marshalltown on Saturday and Sunday. Twenty-nine members of the YMCA winter swim team will be competing. Those who qualified are Austin Bunker, Willa Colville, Kelsea DeCook, Jaden Dydell, Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Maggie Garrett, Sierra Griffith, Sidney Griffith, Adam Hunter, Sydney Jenkins, Henry Jensen, Chloe Kibbee, Jacob Knoll, Kaelee Knoll, Alex Lewis, Deklan Lewis, Brandon Miller, Emily Miller, Izaak Miller, Elizabeth Myers, Logan Norcross, Ben Peterson, Rachel Prendergast, Sarah Prendergast, Reese Rosenquist, Madison Smith, Clay Trotter, Lauren Zaabel and Logan Zaabel. Those who compete at the state meet have an opportunity to move on to the YMCA regionals on March 10 and 11 then to the Midwest Regionals on March 31 and April 1.

- Newton Independent

Hearings set tonight on plans to move Basics and Beyond program, admin offices

Newton Independent

Newton Community School District residents are being offered the opportunity to weigh in on proposals to move the Basics and Beyond alternative high school program and the district's administrative offices to the former Emerson Hough Elementary School at public hearings scheduled at the school board's meeting tonight.

School board members will give district residents the opportunity to give their thoughts on the plan to move the alternative high school from its long-time location at the Newton Des Moines Area Community College campus to the site that currently holds the district's pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds and Area Education Area offices beginning at 7:45 p.m. at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School.

Resident input on the plan to move the administrative offices from their long-time location at the former Maytag residential property on South Sixth Avenue West to the former learning center begins at 8 p.m.

No final decisions on the matters will be made at tonight's school board meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.

Also on tap for discussion is how the school board plans to fill the vacancy left by board member Jeremy Heaberlin's pending departure. Heaberlin resigned from the board earlier this month after being elected last September to fill the remaining two years of the term of Melissa Hintz, who was appointed to the board two years earlier following the resignation of Shari Benson shortly after her re-election to the board.

In a related school district matter, the Newton Community Education Association will make its initial contract proposal to the school administration in a meeting set for 3:30 p.m. today at the Administration Annex Building.

Supervisors to discuss union contracts

Newton Independent

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors will discuss contract modifications with its two employee unions when it meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the courthouse.

A tentative agreement between the county and secondary roads employees represented by the Public Professional and Maintenance Employees (PPME) union calls for a four-contract that runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2016.

Under health insurance provisions in the tentative contract, the current plan and contribution levels will remain in effect until the end of the year. At that time, the insurance plan 2 that has a $250/$500 deductible would be eliminated with employees switching to either plan 3 with $500/$1,000 deductible or a high deductible health plan.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2013, employees selecting plan three would contribute 6 percent of the premium or select the high deductible plan with zero percent contribution. If the high deductible is selected, the county will contribute to a health savings account the difference between the county contribution to plan 3 and the premium cost the high deductible health plan.

Those contribution levels would increase 1 percent in 2014 and 2015 and jump to 10 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

The measure also calls for the $34.50 flexible spending account contribution per month to be suspended and the plan 3 single policy offered at no charge to employees until June 30, 2016. At that time, FSA contribution would be reinstated with employees electing the single coverage under plan 3 paying 10 percent of the premium cost.

Wage increases included in the tentative agreement with the county's secondary roads workers calls for hikes of 1.5 percent on July 1, 2012, with increases of 1.75 percent, 2 percent and 2.5 percent in the following three years of the four-year contract.

The supervisors will also discuss a "supposal" to extend the existing collective bargaining agreements between the county and AFSCME union contracts covering the courthouse, sheriff and home care aides employees for the same time periods and with generally the same insurance and pay provisions.

At 10 a.m. today, the supervisors will hold general budget discussions in a special meeting at the courthouse with Tuesday's agenda setting a proposed public hearing date on the budget for March 13. The county's budget needs to be certified to the state by March 15.

Skiff has $28 million impact on local economy

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center generates 353 jobs that add more than $28 million to Jasper County's economy, according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association.

In addition, Skiff employees by themselves spend almost $8 million on retail sales and contribute about $465,000 in state sales tax revenue.

"Skiff Medical Center is one of the major employers not only in Newton, but in all of Jasper County," said Steve Long, CEO of the hospital. "We are proud to be in that role for our community. Our vision is to be a 'treasured community asset' and our many caregivers work hard every day to live up to this ideal. It is satisfying to know that we are able to impact the community not only in the excellent care we provide for our patients but in the significant direct and indirect investment we make economically, as well."

The Iowa Hospital Association study examined jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state's health care sector. The study was compiled from hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association's Annual Survey of Hospitals and with software that other industries have used to determine their economic impact.

The study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 70,363 people and create another 65,783 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $3.9 billion in salaries and benefits and generate another $2.3 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

In all, Iowa's health care sector, which includes employed clinicians, long-term care services and assisted living center, pharmacies and other medical and health services, directly and indirectly provides 333,554 Iowa jobs, more than one-fifth of the state's total employment.

"People are often unaware of the contributions that hospitals make to their local economies, including the number of people they employ, the significance of hospital purchases with local businesses and the impact of their employees' spending for the entire region," said Kirk Norris, Iowa Hospital Association president and CEO. "Just as no one provides the services and community benefits found at our hospitals, there is also no substitute for the jobs and business hospitals provide and create."

Springboard Engineering's success topic for Post columnist

Newton Independent

The success of Springboard Engineering in Newton is the focus of Steven Pearlstein's column in the Washington Post on Saturday.

Pearlstein writes how Jordan Bruntz and his band of former Maytag engineers took their fate into their own hands and developed Springboard following the closure of the once iconic American appliance manufacturer following its purchase by Whirlpool.

The writer's advice to the workers of the world after seeing the success of Springboard - invest in yourself. You can read the column here.

Madhouse announces Venture Series release

Newton Independent

Madhouse Brewing Company in Newton announced this month the release of the first of its Venture Series beers, a series of one-time-release, seasonaly brewed beers.

The first release is called Madhaus Dunkelwiezen, a traditional German-style dark wheat beers. Madhouse produced 150 cases of the beer and it is available in stores now.

Read more about the happenings at the Newton-based brewer, including its agreement to serve Madhouse at Iowa Cubs games, in this month's news letter.

TPI CEO, Obama call for extension of tax credits for wind energy

Newton Independent

Steve Lockard, CEO of TPI Composites, which has a wind blade manufacturing plant in Newton, told the American Wind Energy Association's Wind TV last week that the immediate extension of the Production Tax Credit is the key to the retention of wind power production jobs in the United States.

Those comments were echoed by President Obama on Saturday when he advocated for an "all of the above" approach to meeting the nation's energy needs, including the tax credits for wind energy, especially at a time when oil companies receive $4 billion a year in taxpayer funded subsidies despite continually bringing in record profits and the people paying those subsidies are paying more and more at the pump.