Local News Headlines – Wednesday, March 10

WINDOM AREA HIGH SCHOOL HAS POSTPONED THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS WINTER MUSICAL.  THE SHOW “HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING” WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO BE PERFORMED THIS WEEK IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LECTURE HALL.  BUT, DUE TO COVID-19 ISSUES, THE PRODUCTION IS BEING POSTPONED.  SCHOOL OFFICIALS STATED THAT THEY ARE FOLLOWING PROPER PROCEDURES FOR POSSIBLE COVID-19 EXPOSURE AND CONTACT TRACING.  THE DIRECTOR AND CAST ARE WORKING TO DETERMINE WHEN THE SHOW MIGHT BE PRESENTED, WHILE CONSIDERING THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND CONFLICTS THAT CASE MEMBERS MAY HAVE WITH OTHER ACTIVITIES OR SPORTS.   THE SHOW IS BEING DIRECTED BY RACHEL AXFORD AND ASSISTED BY JONI FISCHENICH.    

 

THE WINDOM SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS WEEK.  DONATIONS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WERE ACCEPTED, INCLUDING $25,000 FROM THE REMICK FOUNDATION FOR A NEW PLAYGROUND AT THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL BUILDING.  A NUMBER OF PERSONNEL ITEMS WERE HANDLED DURING THE CONSENT AGENDA, INCLUDING THE HIRING OF THREE CUSTODIANS.  THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL REPORTED ON PLANS FOR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION.  THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL HAD UPDATES ON THE CLASS SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR, AND PROGRAMS TO HELP STUDENTS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND IN THEIR CLASSES.  THE SUPERINTENDENT HAD UPDATES ON COVID-19 VACCINATIONS FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF MEMBERS.   SOME LEGISLATIVE ISSUES WERE REVIEWED. 

 

THE COTTONWOOD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MET LAST WEEK.  THE BOARD REVIEWED THREE APPLICATIONS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING TAX ABATEMENTS, AND ONE APPLICATION FOR A REMODELING TAX ABATEMENT.  PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 16TH.  THE BOARD UPDATED THE COUNTY’S TAX POLICY DEALING WITH ABATEMENTS.  THE BOARD ADOPTED A RESOLUTION, STATING THAT THE COUNTY IS OPPOSED TO ANY ATTEMPT BY THE STATE POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY TO ADOPT NEW VEHICLE EMISSIONS STANDARDS.   APPROVAL WAS GIVEN TO PURCHASE NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THE COUNTY RECORDER’S OFFICE TO USE FOR SCANNING DOCUMENTS AND CONVERTING TO DIGITAL STORAGE. 

 

THE WINDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAS ANNOUNCED ITS SCHEDULE FOR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR.    THERE WILL BE IN-PERSON AND ON-LINE OPTIONS.  THE IN-PERSON REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY WITH TWO SESSIONS – FROM NOON TO 2:00PM AND FROM 3:30 TO 7:00PM.  PARENTS WILL NEED TO GO TO A WEBSITE AT www.signup.com/go TO MAKE A RESERVATION.  FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE GUIDED TOURS OF THE KINDERGARTEN AREA.  IF PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO ATTEND AN IN-PERSON SESSION, THEY MAY REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN FOR KINDERGARTEN BY GOING TO THE WINDOM SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE.   IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CALL THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OFFICE AT 831-6925. 

 

THE DES MOINES VALLEY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY WILL HOLD A BOARD MEETING AT 9:00 THURSDAY MORNING IN THE CAFETERIA ATTHE GOVERNMENT CENTER EAST BUILDING IN JACKSON.  THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ON COVID-19 ISSUES INCLUDING VACCINATIONS.  THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL DISCUSS LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE AGENCY.  A REPORT WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE USE OF OVERTIME AND COMPENSATORY TIME.  THE FISCAL DEPARTMENT WILL REPORT ON COVID-19 VACCINE GRANTS.  THE AGENCY BUDGET WILL BE REVISED TO INCLUDE NEW COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GRANTS.  DURING THE CONSENT AGENDA, THE BOARD WILL DECLARE SOME PIECES OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AS SURPLUS AND DESIGNATE THEM FOR SALE OR DISPOSAL.