Dear Greene County Citizens, Education has been important to me as a 2003 graduate of Jefferson-Scranton School District, and current volunteer on the “Our Kids, Our Future – Greene County” board. I attended AIB College of Business graduating with an associate’s degree in business and finance, which has led to a career in insurance. My husband Jeff and I have…
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The Behn Report
March 2, 2018 This week, the Senate finalized two bills regarding education funding. The first was House File 2230, which increased education funding by $32 million for the next fiscal year. We also passed an amended version of Senate File 455, a bill we sent to the House last year to fix transportation and per pupil inequities in the school…
Read MoreOver and over until we get it right?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The headlines are awful, the news below them is worse – lots of mayhem out there, continual violence, bad behavior as the rule rather than the exception. And then there’s politics.
Read MoreA plea for academics
A meme showed up in my personal Facebook feed last week that asked people to name something they learned in high school but have never used. It was one of those memes that originates in a distant, unknown place and is shared so widely that I know very few of the people who comment. I don’t usually read many of…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Lois Last
To the editor: Even though I have voted yes on the previous school bonds, I will now say I am glad they did not pass. Voters within the Greene County School District have a unique opportunity during the April 3 school bond/career academy vote. This is not only about building a new school, it is about bringing educational opportunities to…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Bryce Martin
To the editor, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next”. – Abraham Lincoln I encourage you to really think about that statement for a moment. Absorb the meaning, and digest the ramifications. Greene County has begun to forge a new identity in the past few years. We expect…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Mary Pedersen
Dear editor, My husband Keith and I were born and raised in Greene County. We chose to move back to this small-town community to live, work, and raise our children. Our daughters Delaney (5) and Sam (3) do not require special accommodations that many physically disabled children may need. However, as a school nurse, I have worked with families that…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Wendy Vander Linden
To the editor: When a bond referendum was attempted in 2016, I was vocal in my support of changing our facilities. As we look to a bond referendum vote on April 3, I can again say that I am an enthusiastic supporter of the proposal.
Read MoreIowa ranks #1 in USNR ‘Best States’ ranking
(DES MOINES) – Iowa is the #1 state in the country, according to a new study from U.S. News & World Report. Gov. Kim Reynolds appeared on CBS This Morning on Tuesday to make the announcement about the 2018 Best States ranking.
Read MoreNorthey thanks Iowans upon confirmation to USDA post
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued the following statement Tuesday following the U.S. Senate confirming him to serve as the Under Secretary of Agriculture. The timing for Northey’s resignation and swearing-in is still being finalized and will be announced at a later date. Northey’s statement follows here:
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Clay Ross
To whom it might concern, I find the local media coverage on the proposed school bond issue has been rather lacking. What do I mean by this? There have been several community meeting on the subject where people like me could voice any questions and concerns on the subject.
Read MoreThe Behn Report
February 23, 2018 This week was full of floor debate. We passed a number of bills, most on a bipartisan vote, and sent them to the House for their consideration. One of these was Senate File 2177, an important bill for consumers, especially since the Equifax breach last year affected nearly 1.1 million Iowans. This bill removes the ability for…
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