News

North Liberty Leader
NORTH LIBERTY– While workers have returned to their positions at South Slope Cooperative Communications, they have done so under a company-crafted contract that has not been adopted by the workers’ union.
The lack of a negotiated agreement has created mounting tensions between union bargaining representatives and management since the previous contract expired at midnight on Oct. 31, 2013.
Last Thursday, Jan. 23, employees organized a rally and press conference at the North Liberty Community Center, to bring public attention to the situation.

SOLON– Remember last year when the Solon school board was split over the start date for school?
Are you ready for round two?
At Monday night’s school board meeting, the start and end dates for the 2014-15 school year were discussed, but this time, an informal poll showed board members leaning the other way.
Last year, board president Dave Asprey broke a 2-2 tie, going against the recommendation of the district’s calendar committee and siding with board members in favor of a later start date for school.

By Chris Umscheid
North Liberty Leader

IOWA CITY– They asked, they received, and they still lack a majority consensus.
At the conclusion of a Nov. 6 work session centered around the question of what to do about the county’s jail and courthouse in the wake of May’s failed bond referendum, a request was made for preliminary designs for two new options. On Wednesday, Dec. 4, those options were laid out in great detail for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors (BOS).

By Chris Umscheid
North Liberty Leader

SWISHER– A new chapter in the history of this small Johnson County community will be written Tuesday, Feb. 4, as residents go to the voting booth to elect a new mayor.
The vacancy was created when Tim Mason resigned suddenly during the regular monthly meeting on Nov. 11. City clerk Connie Meier also resigned.

By Alex Kline
Solon Economist

SOLON– When do you decide to close the doors on open enrollment?
The Solon school board discussed options for open enrollment benchmarks at the Dec. 9 meeting. Superintendent Sam Miller presented a framework that set parameters at which open enrollment could be closed at each grade level.
Though the number wasn’t a flat rate, most grades close at five students before target capacities, a level approved by the board last year.