Abby Ward

After hearing a presentation from the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Transportation Director on current challenges being seen with the department, the Board of Education reviewed the student conduct policy during Monday night’s meeting. Board members questioned whether behaviors seen by students contributed to the shortage of bus drivers and were looking to do their part to change that. The policy now states that the first infraction receives a verbal warning from the bus driver, the second is a discipline referral and a conference with students and parents, the third infraction is a five-school day suspension from riding the bus, and the fourth is privileges revoked for the remainder of the school year. Board member Jill Johnston says the district needs to tighten the reigns up on this policy.

A Halbur man was found guilty on charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child 12 years old or younger today (Wednesday). According to Carroll County District Court records, 31-year-old John Mark Toyne was arrested last March by a Carroll County Sheriff deputy on allegations of repeatedly engaging in sex acts with a juvenile female in the 200 block of N. Main Street in Halbur between Jan. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023. Toyne has been convicted of one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, a class B felony. Toyne was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Carroll County Jail, awaiting his sentencing hearing. A class B felony for sexual abuse is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison, which cannot be suspended.

Picture credit to New Way Ford: Pictured (L-R) Caylor Deeth, dog Fizer, and Leesa’s husband Rich.

The Audubon Community School District received scores above the state average, requiring no support in this year’s school performance rating and recognized with a 100 percent five-year graduation rate from the Iowa Department of Education. In the report, the state looks at scores to measure a median growth in mathematics and English language arts, proficiency in math, English, and science, chronic absenteeism, and post-secondary readiness. Students measured 86.49 percent proficient in English language arts, 81.68 percent in mathematics, and 74.36 in science. Test scores also recorded a median growth above the 50-point average at 57 points for mathematics and 66 points for English language arts. The district is excelling in post-secondary readiness, with over 87 percent of high school students earning college credit and 61 percent participating in a work-based learning experience. The Audubon Elementary School earned a performance score of 65.89 percent, receiving a commendable rating, with the middle and high schools earning a high-performing designation at 72.87 percent. A link to view more in-depth data about the performance score for the district is included below. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more from other local schools in upcoming newscasts.

East Sac County (ESC) Community School District students score well beyond average proficiency rate for science but just slightly above mathematics and English language arts in this year’s school performance score. The Iowa Department of Education released numbers earlier this month, rating ESC Elementary school with a commendable rating, earning 62.05 percent of possible points and requiring no additional support. ESC High School received a targeted designation for one year after dropping the rating category last year to a “needs improvement” in 2024. ESC students scored nearly 12 points above the state average for proficiency in science at 73.42 but just.28 points above the state average in English language arts and 1.05 points in mathematics. Students’ median growth in mathematics was at 58 points, eight points higher than the average school district, and 3 points higher for English language arts at 53. ESC reported a 19 percent chronic absenteeism rate but reported a 98.39 percent five-year graduation rate. A link is included below to view more in-depth data on ESC’s rating. Carroll Broadcasting will bring you more from other area schools in upcoming newscast.

A Manning man enters a plea agreement with prosecutors on two counts of lascivious acts with a child after sexually abusing a minor under 14 years old. According to Carroll County District Court records, 38-year-old Michael William Alexander was taken into custody in April 2024 on sexual abuse in the second degree, a class B felony, after allegedly performing a sex act with a minor victim between March 1, 2019, and May 31, 2019. As set by the agreement, Alexander will plea guilty on two counts of lascivious acts with a child, both class C felonies. His plea hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 16. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

With no action taken during Monday night’s meeting, the Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education will likely not offer a retirement incentive to qualifying staff this year. Board members discussed the plan at length at the board meeting and the previous work session, weighing the options to determine whether this would benefit the district. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau says it has been some time since a retirement incentive has been offered and went over the proposed plan.

The Lake View City Council has approved a resolution to enter into a loan agreement not to exceed $900,000 for the reimbursement of several purchases and projects in the community. City Administrator, Theresa Pudenz says with the big purchases and projects, the capital fund was significantly impacted. By utilizing this general obligation bond, the council will reimburse the account, by not effecting taxpayers too much.

The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) administrators and staff are reviewing data and are ready to work after receiving a targeted designation for Carroll High School in this year’s school performance rating from the Iowa Department of Education. The district earned slightly above the state average for proficiency in English language arts and mathematics, earning 74.18 and 70.8 percent, respectively, but earned below the 61.55 percent state average for science at 55.81 percent. Students’ median growth was shy of the state average at 50 points, earning 48 points for mathematics and 47 points for English language arts. Post-secondary readiness shows that 72.73 percent of students are earning college credits while in high school, and 25.62 percent participate in a work-based learning program. The district currently has a 91.18 percent five-year graduation rate. When breaking down each school building, the elementary schools came out on top, both earning a commendable rating, followed by Carroll Middle School receiving an acceptable designation. Carroll High School was placed on a needs improvement list and targeted for one year to help improve the academic achievement of students with disabilities or in an Individualized Education Program (IEP). A link is included below for a more in-depth view of data on CCSD. Check out the other local school ratings by viewing previous stories by Carroll Broadcasting.

A Carroll woman has been placed on probation after pleading guilty to shoplifting two days in a row from a department store back in 2023. According to Carroll County District Court records, 37-year-old Ashley Kay Lambirth was observed entering a store in the 2000 block of Kittyhawk Ave in Carroll with another female on June 12, 2023. The two girls then grabbed a suitcase, placed three lawn mower batteries inside, and exited through the automotive door. The items totaled over $300. The following morning, Lambirth and the accompanying female went to the same store, grabbed a garbage can, and put items in. The items totaled over $2,000. After realizing an employee was watching them, they left the items in an aisle and left the store. Lambirth has entered a plea agreement on one count of theft in the second degree, a class D felony. A prison sentence of an indeterminate term to not exceed five years has been suspended. She has been ordered to serve three years of probation and pay roughly $2,000 in fines and various court charges. If found in violation of probation and the original sentence will be imposed, Lambirth would serve the sentence consecutively with a previous case in Fremont County on charges of controlled substance violation, a class C felony, possession of controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor, with a sentence equated to 15-years in prison.