Budget rift widens over education spending
Gov. Tom Vilsack and majority GOP legislators clash over funding education amid a $300 million shortfall and stalled negotiations. GOP leaders accuse Vilsack of backpedaling on a $30 million target while proposing a $5 million boost to class size and reading initatives. The dispute risks teacher layoffs as districts face April 30 termination deadlines and potential budget cuts to higher education.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rod Boshart
Gazette
Des Moines Bureau
Des Moines
Tom Vilsack
GOP
Vilsack
House
Christopher Rants
Sioux City
Mike Connolly
D-Dubuque
Donald Redfern
Cedar Falls
Senate
Regents
McKinley Elementary
Iowa schools warned on teacher layoff procedures
A memo from the Iowa Association of School Boards warns superintendents that layoffs likely if proposed state budget cuts pass. Districts must issue termination notices to teachers by Monday and notify layoffs by May 15. The group says most support staff may be terminated per contracts or collective bargaining.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DES Moines
Iowa
Jenifer Owenson
Iowa Association of School Boards
IASB
Bottle bill expansion likely dead in Iowa 2001 session
Iowa lawmakers blocked an attempt to suspend House rules to debate raising the handling fee for beverage containers as part of expanding the bottle bill to include sports drinks and juices. Supporters including former governors and Gov. Vilsack warn centers may close. opponents fear expanding the bill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Q. Lynch
Gazette
Des Moines
Iowa
Clel Bandler
R-Greenfield
Bandler
Garth Frable
Beautiful Iowa Coalition
Frable
Robert Ray
Terry Branstad
Tom Vilsack
House
Ways and Means Committee
Jamie van Fossen
R Davenport
van Fossen
Des Moines Father Charged After Son Bruising Incident
Des Moines man Michael McLaren 39 was charged with assault causing injury after allegedly restraining his 10 year old son Andrew during a disciplinary session. Police say the boy had bruises on the throat chin arm back and thigh. The mother Jenice Carpenter washed the boy's mouth with soap but was not charged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
DES Moines
Michael McLaren
Andrew
McLaren
Jenice Carpenter
Thomas Follett
Andrew McLaren
Follett
Carpenter
Phillips
New Hawkeye Community College picks Bettsey Barhorst
Bettsey Barhorst of Illinois Central College will become Hawkeye Community College president, starting July 15. Trustees voted unanimously, approving a compensation package totaling 153 414 dollars a year with a 110 500 dollar salary plus benefits and a 300 dollar monthly car allowance plus an 8 200 dollar yearly annuity. Former president Bill Hierstein resigned last October after a strained board relationship.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Waterloo
Hawkeye Community College
Bettsey Barhorst
Illinois Central College
Barhorst
Bill Hierstein
Public auction of state equipment in Ames by DOT
The Iowa Department of Transportation will hold a public auction of state owned equipment on the DOT grounds in Ames Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Items include office and shop equipment automotive supplies computers and printers. Inspection is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 7 to 9 a.m. Saturday. Payment must be made that day by cash cashier or certified check. Personal or company checks allowed with ID.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fiscal Bureau
Vilsack
Ames
Iowa Department of Transportation
DOT
South Fourth Street
DNA to begin lake draining Aug. 1
State officials will start draining Big Creek Lake on August 1 to kill gizzard shad and protect bluegill and crappie. The U S Army Corps of Engineers needs time to repair the gate, and draining before Labor Day improves chemical effectiveness as water warms to about 70 degrees. Local businesses fear August drainage will hurt Polk City traffic.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Polk City
Big Creek Lake
Des Moines
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Kim Olofson
Big Creek State Park
Joe Schwartz
DNR
Schwartz
Also Mentioned on This Page
Stewart Iverson
Mike Gronstal
Council Bluffs
Gronstal
and Terry
Branstad and
Greenfield
Rep
D.M
Phillips School
Hawkeye CC
Mark Birdnow
Board of Trustees
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