Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025
Vol. 5, No. x
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
‘Building for PCM’S BIG BAND the future’ Students in seventh and eighth grade join the high school marching band at final regular home performance
Monroe looking to update city hall, police department with bond in November election By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Large photos of renderings showing what a new Monroe City Hall could look like were on display during an open house for the city hall/police department project October 13. Information about what the project entails and why it is needed, along with city staff and design professionals, were on hand for any members of the public wanting to know more about the proposal. “Our city buildings are outdated, overcrowded and no longer meet the needs of our growing community,” the city said. “A new combined city hall and police department will improve safety, provide necessary
space and privacy, ensure accessibility and support better public service. It’s not just a smart investment, it’s a critical step forward for Monroe’s future.” Two options are available to the city: a new building or remodeling the current building. A new building, which would be located at the same place as the current building, would be 5,620 square feet and cost an estimated $1.45 million. Renovating the current building would cost an estimated $1.3 million and give the city 5,100 square feet. City staff hope to move forward with the project as soon as possible in order to avoid ever-rising construction costs. CITY HALL | 3A
Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer Before the weather turned to rain and lightning, the PCM High School Marching Band was joined by musicians in seventh and eighth grade under the Friday nigh lights to fill the field and play the National Anthem and school fight song.
Veterans group authorized to add plaque to memorial south of the courthouse Board of supervisors approve the addition, which comes at no cost to taxpayers By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer Jasper County Vietnam Veterans, a local group of military service members, was given permission by the board of supervisors last week to add a plaque by the veterans memorial sculpture located on the south side of the county courthouse. Veterans Bud Pickett and Dick Couch made the
Christopher Braunschweig/ PCM Explorer A Vietnam veterans group was authorized by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors to add a plaque to the veterans memorial on the south side of the courthouse.
request to supervisors. “We’re wanting to put a plaque of the memorial out here on the south side of the courthouse,” Pickett said to supervisors. “The plaque would be approximately 24 inches by 10 inches and would fit probably right underneath the ribbon we put up there … We’d just like your approval to do this.” VETERANS | 3A
ELECTION 2025
PCM Community School District School Board Candidates Cole Van Ryswyk — District 2 Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am a 2008 PCM Graduate and have lived in the district my entire life. I currently live outside Prairie City with my wife Ashley and our 4 kids. I work at DCI Group as a Project Executive. I have been involved in coaching youth sports ever since my kids have been interested in playing. I currently help run our PCM Youth Football and PCM Youth Basketball programs. We are active members at First Reformed Church in Prairie
City, and I was the Treasurer while serving on the board as a Deacon. Why are you running for school board? I am running for school board because I have four kids who attend PCM, and I want to help make an impact on the school district. Next year, I will have a son or daughter in every school building, so it is important to me that we are looking at all levels. VAN RYSWYK | 3A
Lori Jungling — District 1 Tell us a little bit about yourself: We moved to Prairie City from the Southest Polk school district in 2015 but me and my husband are originally from Wellsburg. My husband, Jay, is an Engineer at Pella Corporation. I have a 2020 PCM graduate daugher, Klaire, who is now a kindergarten teacher at the Dallas Center Grimes school district. My son, Jack, is a 2024 PCM graduate who is a Mechanical Engineering major at ISU. My youngest is my daughter, Jodi, who is a freshman at the high school.
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I currently am a substitute teacher in the school district along with being a school board member since 2021. Why are you running for school board? I chose to run for the school board in 2021 due to Covid and the impact it had on our schools and our kids.I am seeking reelection because I believe it is important to give my time to make sure PCM is the best it can be. JUNGLING | 3A
Greg Ingle — District 2 Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am Dr. Greg Ingle and am known to most. I am a life-time resident of the PCM area, was a physician in Prairie City over 40 years, and have served on the school board over 20 years. My children and most of my grandchildren live in the PCM district. This community has been good to me and my family and I would like to continue to use my experience to help the district both survive and thrive.
Why are you running for school board? The district is facing multiple complex issues that will need to be addressed. With declining enrollment we anticipate a dramatic drop in funds that can be used for actual education such as courses, teachers, etc. At the same time, we need to keep our facilities as up to date as possible. As a board we find ourselves INGLE | 3A
Ryan Van Der Kamp — District 6 Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am a PCM graduate. I have two daughters currently at PCM schools. I am a self-employed electrician Why are you running for school board? This is my way to get back to the community. Why do you think public service is important? I think it’s important for everybody to have a voice and to know what’s going on What issues in the district are
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most important to you? Education is the most important thing at our school right now we need to prepare our students for the world. They are entering. Where is the district succeeding? PCM has a lot of pride. We need to keep that going strong. Where does it need improvements? You need to continue to grow, provide the best education we can and be mindful of our budget at the same time.
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