Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
Vol. 6 No. 4
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
What’s going on at PCM? There’s an app for that
GLOW GET IT
PCM Elementary PTO Glow Run lights up the night
PCM School District phone app informs, updates and more By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer
PCM Community School District The PCM app holds a ton of information about the district including school events, the lunch menu and recent news.
Where is the game this Friday? What’s for lunch tomorrow? When are parent/teacher conferences? Answers to those questions and more can be found on the PCM phone app, a one-stop shop to stay informed. “We created the app to put everything PCM in one place. It serves as a one-stop spot for district news, events and updates — making it easy to access district information,” PCM Communications Specialist Cathy DeHaai said. “Through push notifications, all community members, not just families in Infinite Campus, can get timely alerts like weather-related closings, delays and early outs. Users can also opt in to daily or weekly reminders for district events, ensuring nothing important is missed at PCM.” Available in both Apple and Android app stores, the easy to access tool is great for everyone from students to grandparents. Information on the app includes icons featuring: • District Calendar: First/last days of school, no school days including district improvement days and holidays and conference dates. • Events Calendar: Sports, activities and events in an easy-to-access calendar. Everything that’s in Bound, the districts activity site, is in this calendar. • Menu: Monthly breakfast and lunch menu. • Registration: Link to the registration page. APP | 3
Provided by Ashley Van Ryswyk Fun outfits including glowing headbands and sunglasses help light the night during the PCM Elementary PTO Glow Run Sept. 5 at Prairie City Elementary.
Conservation board and county supervisors at odds over filling naturalist/office manager position partnering with local school dis- experience our kids can get but we’re mom. Jasper County releases been tricts to provide educational program- unable to provide on our own. With that “The challenge we’re facing right for many years, but the depart- said, I invited Katie here this evening to now — just so you guys are aware — the a number of statements ming ment worries whether programming talk with us again.” county board of supervisors does not to address community will diminish if it can’t replace an em- Katie Cantu, a naturalist for Jasper want our conservation board to replace ployee position that was pivotal to those County, has provided educational pro- her,” Cantu said. “So we’re kind of limpprograms. The position is a naturalist/ grams to area students for the past 25 ing along a little short-staffed here into a uproar By Christopher Brunschweig PCM Explorer Supervisors have issued a number of responses to community backlash regarding the conservation department’s pleas to fill a vacant position, which, if left unfilled, could mean fewer educational programs for students in Jasper County. But elected officials say there is another side to the story. Jasper County Conservation staff have
office manager. Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger said the school district is fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Jasper County. He noted that the agenda included program documents for every grade level. Programs either happen on-site in the classroom or on field trips to the many county parks. “They’re very engaging,” Messinger said. “I don’t care how old you are there are things you can learn from it. It’s really some good information and good
Digital sign added to The Gathering Place of Monroe
years. Cantu estimated the department regularly hosts programming for about 16,000 people each year, with many of that population consisting of kids and teenagers from local school districts. Currently, there are eight staff members in Jasper County Conservation, broken down to four mainly office workers and four field staff. One of the naturalists was also the office manager who handled a variety of work in and out of the office. But the employee has decided to devote her time being a stay-at-home
really busy season. I don’t know. There’s a lot happening.” Cantu encouraged the school board, teachers and anyone who utilizes the programs to reach out to supervisors and voice their support for conservation. “Let ‘em know that this is important,” Cantu said. “…We would normally offer five opportunities per class, and she’s kind of behind all of our big fundraising.” NATURALIST | 2
Supervisors appoint one of their own to conservation board after recent backlash Longtime board member replaced by supervisor is disappointed and frustrated by decision By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer The Gathering Place of Monroe has updated its sign to a digital board displaying upcoming events at the community center.
By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Bright, big and right on a main road through Monroe, the digital sign at The Gathering
A publication of est. 1851
Place of Monroe is a great place to find out what is happening at the senior and community center. Replacing a static sign, the SIGN | 2
Supervisors have appointed one of their own to the Jasper County Conservation Board in response to the recent “breakdown of communication” with the county department, which led to community outrage. The longtime board member who was replaced by a supervisor is disappointed and frustrated by the decision. Appointing Thad Nearmyer to the conservation board in place of
the current board member, Robyn Friedman, was proposed by Supervisors Chairman Brandon Talsma during the Sept. 2 board of supervisors meeting. The action passed in a 2-0 vote with Nearmyer abstaining from the vote. “In light of recent events, I think it would behoove us to appoint Thad Nearmyer to the conservation board,” Talsma said, referencing recent controversy about the future of a conservation position. “I’m going to make that motion. I
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think there’s been a continual breakdown of conversation between the two boards.” Abby Lamont, of Newton, spoke out against the appointment during the public comment portion of the meeting, suggesting it is a conflict of interest to have a supervisor on their conservation board. Talsma told Lamont county supervisors can, indeed, serve on other county boards and commissions. Iowa Code 331.216 APPOINTMENT | 3
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