Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025
Vol. 6, No. 16
PCMExplorer Local People. Local Stories.
PCM assessing building needs with enrollment in decline
With PCM on pace to lose more than 100 students, Monroe Elementary is eyed for closure By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer Due to declining enrollment in the PCM School District and the reduction in funding because of fewer students, the district has started a discussion on closing Monroe Elementary. PCM Superintendent Aaron Becker presented the topic during the school board meeting Nov. 24. “We all love Prairie City, we all love Monroe. We love the small towns, we love the communities,” Becker said.
“But sometimes we have to think with our mind and not just our heart that we love this building, that we love the physical space where they go to get their education.” Over the past four years, PCM enrollment has declined by 106.6 students served. In 2025 for kindergarten through 12th grade, PCM reported 966.3 served students, a decline of 51.71 students. Enrollment projections show for the next four to five years, the district will see 20 or more fewer stu-
dents per year. “This is figured by the current year’s graduates in comparison to the next year’s kindergarten class,” Becker said. “For example, this year’s graduating class is 88 and the incoming kindergarten class is projected at 65 students for a student loss of 23 students.” The decline in enrollment directly affects funding for the school. The district receives approximately $8,000 per student in state aid for BUILDING | 3
Start shopping at the PCM Fine Arts Boosters Holiday Vendor Fair
In its second year, the vendor fair is set for Dec. 6 at Monroe Elementary By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer For the second year, the PCM Fine Arts Boosters are hosting a Holiday Vendor Fair. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6 at Monroe Elementary, stop in to shop for unique pieces and maybe one will jump out as the perfect present for a friend or
Leave it all out on the floor By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer It’s time to shine for the PCM Dance Team. The Iowa State Dance Championship, which is celebrating 50 years of high school dance, kicks off Dec. 5 with PCM hitting the floor through the day at the Casey’s Center and EMC Expo Center in Des Moines. The team first takes the floor with their pom routine at 11:13 a.m. in the Casey’s Center facing west. A metal music theme, the high-paced dance is sure to wow not only the crowd but the judges, as well. PCM next competes with its hip hop routine at 8:02 p.m. in the EMC Expo Center. After every team has taken the floor, awards will take place letting the teams know how
they stacked up. The squad is made up of 10 members for the 2025-2026 season. They include seniors Addison Beener, Carly Steenhoek, Seriah Nolin and Jessalyn DeVries, junior Victoria Landwehr, sophomores Johanna Thomas and Katelynn Fagg and freshmen Lucy DeHaai, Brittyn Pettyjohn and Haylie Phillips. Coaches are Lainy Curry and Kim Pettyjohn. The Iowa State Dance Team Association, which was founded by Monroe native Kathy Enyart, is celebrating 50 years in 2026. From big poms and bigger hair to now more than 300 schools and more than 5,000 dancers, the organization has seen unprecedented growth and recognition as one of the preeminent competitions in the nation.
loved one. “It’s going to be a great day and a great way to support the fine arts at PCM,” the fine arts boosters said. Whether handmade crocheted pieces, homemade goodies from the kitchen or staple items shoppers have SHOP | 3
The PCM Dance Team heads to state competition Dec. 5 in Des Moines
Scott Fairbairn The PCM Dance Team will take the floor for state competition Dec. 5 at the Casey’s Center and EMC Expo Center in Des Moines.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND SNOWSTORM Jasper County and the rest of Iowa gets snowed in after an all-day winter storm By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer
Christopher Braunschweig/PCM Explorer Kolten Slycord and Devin St. John sled down a hill at Sunset Park on Sunday, Nov. 30 in Newton.
All of Iowa was affected by heavy snowstorms last weekend, including Newton and Jasper County. The snow started light on Friday evening, providing holiday events with a festive backdrop. But Saturday and Sunday snowfalls cloaked the region with its first real bout of winter weather, critically impact-
ing travel. National Weather Service forecasted heavy snowfall, with some areas of the state accumulating more than a foot. Travel would be difficult to impossible, they said, throughout the day and into the night. Wind gusts increased around the evening, which would only exacerbate and prolong travel impacts into Sunday.
Supervisors approve $1.6M replacement of bridge on F-62 over Elk Creek By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer The Jasper County Board of Supervisors awarded a $1.6 million contract last week to replace a bridge located along Highway F-62 West over Elk Creek, the construction of which could last up to six months and will re-
quire a paved route detour. Officials suspect drivers will instead use gravel roads to get around. County Engineer Michael Frietsch said bridge replacement was let through the Iowa Department of Transportation. He estimated the project will cost about $1.7 million. Four contractors submitted bids be-
tween $1.6 million and $1.8 million. The low bid of $1,648,842 came from United Contractors, Inc. and subsidiaries. Supervisors approved the bid for the bridge — classified as Bridge S07— in a 3-0 vote. The other contractors and bids included: Herberger Construction Co., Incl. for $1,670,676;
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By around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jasper County Emergency Management Agency warned that road conditions were continuing to deteriorate and would only get worse as the day went on. Towing was not recommended at that time. Travel was not advised. Jasper County EMA said it was best to stay home and stay safe. Jasper County Sheriff ’s Office initiated a tow ban later that evening, reminding people to pack an emergency travel kit if SNOWSTORM | 3
Officials want to prepare gravel roads, suspecting drivers will bypass detour
Iowa Civil Contracting, Inc. for $1,773,939; and Godbersen-Smith Construction Co. and subsidiaries for $1,849,551. “Between HBP (Highway Bridge Program) funds and then SWAP funds that go matching with the HBP there’s about $2 million of funding, so we’re well situated to handle this project
coming up here,” Frietsch said. “This will be a late start date of April 27 of next year … And it has 115 working days assigned to it.” Frietsch anticipated the work could be completed around October 2026. BRIDGE | 3
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