OSKALOOSA — Area residents and the elected officials that represent them will come together again beginning Saturday when the traditional winter-time Eggs & Issues forum returns to Smokey Row.

Margaret Ratcliff, board president of the Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group, recently released the lineup, dates and time for this
year’s six forums. The forum is held at 8:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of the month during January, February and March.

Ratcliff said the OACDG has been sponsoring and holding the Eggs & Issues forums for many years, and the morning talks with elected officials
usually draws a large crowd to Smokey Row.

“We want to give residents an opportunity to talk to their representatives face to face,” Ratcliff said. “It also gives those leaders an opportunity to provide an update on what’s going on in their area.”

The first edition of the Eggs & Issues is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, and the forum will feature three local officials: Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt;
Mark Doland, the chairman of the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors; and Oskaloosa Community School District Superintendent Russ Reiter.

The forums feature the invited public and elected officials speaking on issues in their areas before the forum is opened up for questions and answers, Ratcliff said. Attendees to the forum will be treated to free coffee during the one-hour forum, provided as a courtesy by MidwestOne Bank. Other guests for future Eggs & Issues forums include, State Rep. Guy Vander Linden, State Sen. Ken Rozenboom and State Rep. Larry Sheets.

Although all three of those guests are Republicans, Ratcliff said the OACDG hopes to have some alternative views represented in future forums.

“Our goal is to have differing views discussed,” she said. On Feb. 25, the invited guest is Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, which is an exciting development for the organizers of the forum, Ratcliff said. “I’m really hoping [Northey] brings some farmers to town,” she said.

The forums are very popular with residents and officials who speak, and they are covered heavily by local media, including on the internet, radio, TV and in print, Ratcliff added.

“[Public officials] Really appreciate the opportunity to have a venue and to share information,” she said. “They can bring correct information
to residents. It’s a great opportunity to clear up any misinformation.”

Story provided by Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA —A homeschooling assistance program (HSAP) was again the focal point of the Oskaloosa Community School District Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 10.

OCSD Superintendent Russ Reiter shared again information regarding the types of homeschooling programs such as independent and competent
private instruction, the differences between the options and the rules and regulations that apply to each.

There are also varying levels of assessment, accountability and monitoring within homeschool programs. Some are eligible for dual-enrolling their students in a school district, some aren’t.

“I wanted to give you some information, answer some questions. Probably the number one thing that, as I continue to look into the homeschool program, every time you think you know something, you find out that you know a little,” he said. “And you get more knowledge all the time, but it’s just amazing how much information is out there.”

Districts are not required to have a HSAP, Reiter said, and the Oskaloosa Community School District has not had one. In order to have a HSAP, a
qualified person must be hired.

“We’ve let students homeschool, we’ve allowed students to dualenroll and come as they please. We’ve not actually had a HSAP because we’ve never had that licensed individual,” he said. “If you decide to start a program – which I do recommend that we do—the big key really is we’ll have to hire one individual who will then be able to work with families in our community and in our district and with parents who have in the past homeschooled their own children and/or who have open-enrolled out to other districts because they actually have the HSAP.”

Reiter said with a HSAP, the teacher is required to have contact with students four times a quarter, with at least two face to face visits per quarter. The
district is also to provide instructional materials. Additionally, the teacher is to be supportive but not directive or intrusive.

“After my conversation with some of the parents who are currently homeschooling, as well as conversations with four or five superintendents and their programs that they do, one of the biggest things is whoever we hire as a teacher, that person is going to need to be supportive,” he said. “A lot of
parents who are homeschooling their parents at home, for whatever reason that may be, they want very little interference from the school but they’re looking for something. And what is that something? Well that’s for that teacher to find out.”

Reiter said he thinks the Oskaloosa school district can hire a qualified person and have a very successful HSAP.

“The program may cost us a little money in the first couple years,” he said. “From everything I’ve been told as you get more and more students and families, those dollars start to arrive and a lot of school districts even have a surplus.”

The decision was made to delay any decisions regarding the homeschool program until the February meeting in order to gain more information.

In an interview on Jan. 6, Reiter shared his thoughts on having a homeschooling program.

“It’s a way of reaching out, whether it be academic or activity, if we can help in some way to help you help your children. Ultimately, whether it’s
private or public, most educators — myself included — ask how do we help kids, how do we pepare them for after school,” he said. “The bottom line, whether it’s public, private or homeschool, we want to see successful kids and we’re all in that together.”

Story provided by the Oskaloosa Herald

MAHASKA COUNTY – Though the flu season has been relatively quiet in Iowa so far, we may begin to see an increase in cases. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has recently announced the death of two individuals due to influenza complications.

“Many people think about the influenza virus before the holiday season, then think it’s over and done afterwards,” MHP Public Health Coordinator Patty Malloy explained. “However, the spreading of the virus usually peaks sometime in February. With two recent deaths in Iowa, it’s especially important for those who have not received their flu vaccine to get it now to ensure protection when flu season does peak.”

According to the IDPH, all four strains of the influenza virus that are covered by the vaccine are currently circulating in Iowa. “With at least four strains of the flu virus currently active in Iowa, someone who is unvaccinated could potentially get the flu four different times this season,” Malloy shared. “Most people can recover from the flu, but those who are elderly or have a weakened immune system can face serious consequences if they contract the virus. That’s why it’s so important to get you and your family vaccinated yearly; you’re not only protecting them, but also those who may be unable to get the vaccine too.”

Malloy stressed that the flu virus can spread quickly through public places like schools, daycares, workplaces and places with grocery carts or other shared equipment. “The flu vaccine is still your best defense against the virus. However, some virus strains may only be partially covered in the vaccine, so it’s just as important to prevent the spread of illness by remembering the 3Cs: Cover coughs and sneezes, clean hands frequently and contain germs by staying home when ill.”

Anti-viral medications are an important second line of defense to treat influenza. According to the IDPH, anti-viral medications, such as tamiflu, can reduce the duration and risk of serious illness and even death from influenza. However, these medications work best if started within 48 hours, or sooner, of the onset of symptoms.

“People often get the flu mixed up with a stomach bug, such as the norovirus, which is also currently in Iowa,” Malloy explained. “However, the flu is an upper respiratory infection, not the vomiting and diarrhea commonly referred to as the flu.

“Watch for a sudden high fever, severe fatigue, headache, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion or body aches, as signs of the flu,” Malloy continued. “Seek immediate medical attention if you have these symptoms. With influenza, it’s vital the virus is addressed as quickly as possible.”

Flu vaccines are available on the MHP campus through entrance #4, no appointment necessary. Stop in anytime Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:15 pm. Regular and high-dose vaccines are available for those age 65 and older; call 641.672.3360 for more information.

Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, visit mahaskahealth.org.

In the special election for the Oskaloosa School Board on Tuesday, Amanda McGraw won with 145 votes over Elaine Fontana, who had 33 votes. There was one vote for write-in. The results will not become official until accepted at a canvass meeting on Tuesday next week.