Paraeducator fired, property sold at Mt. Pleasant school board meeting

MT. PLEASANT - William Barnes, a paraeducator with the Panther Den at Lincoln Elementary in Mt. Pleasant, was terminated on Monday, Dec. 8, a consequence of chronic absence and alleged misconduct.

He appeared before the Mt. Pleasant School Board that night to plead his case, seeking reinstatement from unpaid administrative leave. However, despite the best wishes of several board members, he was terminated, as per the Superintendent’s recommendation.

Barnes, hired in August, missed 15 days in his first month and a half of employment. In his words, this was due to chronic illness; he stated before he was hired that he had a weak immune system, and even presented notes from doctors to confirm this. Nevertheless, the board was not moved.

This was in addition to alleged inappropriate contact with a student: apparently, a child sitting on his knee. Barnes defended his actions by stating the rules were not clear; he had seen other paraeducators and perhaps even teachers doing the same. Although Barnes wished for parents and teachers to speak in support, none came forward. According to Barnes, they feared if they did, the teachers’ jobs would be at stake. According to Principal Ashley Hoyer, parents feared that, should they decline, Barnes would take it out on their children.

In other news, the School District approved the sale of the so-called “Metal Building” to the City of Mt. Pleasant. The sale price: $116,000, the appraised amount. The property, standing on the same lot as the Civic Center, was once the maintenance center for the district’s buses. Now, it will become a space for both a daycare and the Mt. Pleasant Fellowship Cup. According to the School Board, the deal is set to close on Jan. 23 or earlier. An easement is in effect to allow the district access to internet hardware present at the site until it can be relocated.

The P.E.O. Library has received a stay of demolition, at least until warmer weather. On Nov. 26, the DeCarlo Corporation began their demolition of the structure by removing asbestos roofing. Their work, however, has paused, owing to below-freezing temperatures. Grinders necessary to the work possess built-in water sprayers, to keep dust down. With freezing weather comes the possibility of damage to the equipment. At the very latest, work is to be finished by March.

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com