It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Dunsmore House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Waterloo, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”
“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office staff answers my questions patiently.”
“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”
“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hope Martin Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Cappella Magna or visit First Log House in Waterloo Historical Marker, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Waterloo, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Waterloo, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Waterloo, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Kreilkamp Trucking Inc. has acquired the assets of Waterloo, Iowa-based Gray Transportation, which is ceasing operations after over 40 years in business.The deal allows Kreilkamp Trucking to assume control of an undisclosed number of Gray Transportation’s trailers and freight contracts, and some drivers will join Kreilkamp from Gray, said CEO Tim Kreilkamp.“I don’t want to go into too much detail, but there were certain assets that were a...
Kreilkamp Trucking Inc. has acquired the assets of Waterloo, Iowa-based Gray Transportation, which is ceasing operations after over 40 years in business.
The deal allows Kreilkamp Trucking to assume control of an undisclosed number of Gray Transportation’s trailers and freight contracts, and some drivers will join Kreilkamp from Gray, said CEO Tim Kreilkamp.
“I don’t want to go into too much detail, but there were certain assets that were advantageous to our fleet moving forward,” Kreilkamp told FreightWaves in an interview.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Kreilkamp Trucking is a family-owned carrier based in Allenton, Wisconsin. The company primarily services an area covering the Midwest to the Eastern Seaboard.
Kreilkamp hauls products including refrigerated meats, cheese, spirits, agricultural supplies, manufacturing supplies, paper goods and printed material.
“We’ve been in business since 1935 and I currently represent the fourth generation of family management, with the fifth generation working here as well,” Kreilkamp said. “Kreilkamp is a Midwest carrier and we’re running about 300 trucks.”
Kreilkamp Trucking also owns regional refrigerated carrier Brent Redmond Transportation. Based in Hollister, California. Brent Redmond provides transportation services throughout the Southwestern U.S.
In addition, Kreilkamp owns WB Warehousing & Logistics, Farmer’s Implement Inc., and Farmer’s Grain & Feed.
Gray Transportation was founded in 1984 by Leroy Gray with one truck and a handful of employees.
In recent years, Gray Transportation had a fleet of over 150 trucks, 500 trailers and 100 drivers, offering over-the-road dry van solutions. Global equipment manufacturer John Deere was one of Gray Transportation’s main freight accounts.
Gray Transportation President Darrin Gray said low freight rates and rent increases on leased trucks from Ryder were the main reasons for shutting down the company.
Gray’s fleet of trucks were all leased from Ryder.
“The spot market rates were low when we had to use brokers to get our trucks back into our contracted freight lanes,” Gray told FreightWaves in an interview.
Gray will be working with Kreilkamp Trucking and was hopeful that most of his drivers based in the Midwest would find jobs with the carrier.
“I was the last part of the generation of the family in the business, so I’ll work with Kreilkamp,” Gray said. “2024 was probably one of the toughest years.”
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- The Waterloo Community School District is preparing to make staff cuts in the next two years, after a drastic decrease to their general fund, inflation and more.In a letter to staff this week, Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith warned staff of the cuts, that will be finalized for the next school year by March 14th. Dr. S...
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- The Waterloo Community School District is preparing to make staff cuts in the next two years, after a drastic decrease to their general fund, inflation and more.
In a letter to staff this week, Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith warned staff of the cuts, that will be finalized for the next school year by March 14th. Dr. Smith says it was important to him to prepare staff as much as possible.
"By giving that month, get a month from now we’ll come up with more decisions, just gives them an idea of, hey there is a process involved. It’s not just a few people behind closed doors making a decision, it’s really a collaborative effort," he said.
The district will spread the cuts over the next two school years, instead of making them all at once. Dr. Smith says this last school year, they made over five million dollars worth of programming cuts, to try to put off employee cuts.
"Spreading it out over two years, it helps us ease it a little bit. It gives us flexibility, it gives people a chance to prepare, so if we come out and say hi, two years from now we have to cut these positions, that gives people plenty of time to react to the news, to respond, and we’re hoping we can also make some changes through attrition,” he said.
At this point, the district does not have an official number of how many staff members will lose their jobs. On average, the district loses around 100 to 150 employees a year from retirement or otherwise, and Dr. Smith is hoping that will allow some room for adjustment for current employees.
"We’re really thinking through all of the scenarios and doing everything we can to make sure our employees have a job; and if we need to, we can shift them into other positions that maybe it’s not what they’re doing currently, but it would still allow them to have a job," he said.
In December, an audit by Bergan KDV found the district's general fund decreased from $31,718,094 to $8,285,953 from 2023 to 2024, in the unassigned general fund category. That category can be used to help fund staff salaries in the district.
The district says the funding decrease comes from COVID-19 federal funds running out, less state funding, and inflation impacts. Dr. Smith says no matter what happens now, there will be some cuts regardless, and they are trying to make it as minimal as possible.
"Will there be some staff reductions? There will be," he said, adding, "we’re doing the best we can, this is not just a one year thing, it’s a three year thing, a three year plan. We’re currently in year two of the three year plan, and we feel good about, the best we can about the decisions that are being made."
Dr. Smith is also planning to propose a new property tax increase to the school board, to offset costs for the employees in the district's special education, English language learner, and at-risk programs.
"The reason for the property tax increase is to make sure we’ve got the appropriate funding for special-ed, for ELL, our English language learners, and our at-risk," he said, adding, "Waterloo has a much higher percentage of ELL students, special needs students, and at-risk students compared to other districts, and that’s the reason we have to ask for more money through using property taxes, to offset the costs of employing the individuals in those positions."
As of now, Dr. Smith says they have not determined what the proposed increase will be.
This last November, district residents voted yes to a $165 million dollar project to build a new high school, combining Waterloo East and West. This project is being funded by SAVE funds, a 1% sales tax. That money does not contribute to the general fund, and therefore can not be used on staff salaries.
"That’s one of the difficult things about school finance, is they are in funnels. The money comes in funnels, you can only use it for certain things, so gosh, if we had all of the flexibility to mix match funds we would absolutely do that but we just don’t have the capabilities," said Dr. Smith, adding, "the money that is set aside for the high school project and other building projects can’t be touched for salary and benefits and vice versa."
Dr. Smith says several other districts are also having similar issues going into the next school year, and he hopes state lawmakers are able to take action to help offset the costs.
"We could really use some help at the state level. There is some debate whether or not, it’s two percent or 2.5 percent for schools, and I’m here to say it would really help us out if it were 2.5 percent," he said, adding, "budget reductions are never easy. Never easy. I can not emphasize enough that this is not a Waterloo issue, this is a statewide issue."
The Waterloo Community School District's audit is public record, and is posted below.
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- After more than 50 years as a broadcast journalist working at KWWL-TV, evening anchor Ron Steele will be leaving the station.Ron began working at KWWL in 1974 as Sports Director before moving to the evening anchor role.For decades Ron has been a fixture to the Eastern Iowa landscape. Ron led coverage on historic moments at home and abroad. He was at the White House when the American hostages came home from Iran in 1981. He also covered the Persian Gulf War conflict during Desert Storm live in Saudi Arab...
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- After more than 50 years as a broadcast journalist working at KWWL-TV, evening anchor Ron Steele will be leaving the station.
Ron began working at KWWL in 1974 as Sports Director before moving to the evening anchor role.
For decades Ron has been a fixture to the Eastern Iowa landscape. Ron led coverage on historic moments at home and abroad. He was at the White House when the American hostages came home from Iran in 1981. He also covered the Persian Gulf War conflict during Desert Storm live in Saudi Arabia.
“KWWL has been very generous to me and my family, and has given me some amazing opportunities to cover news, weather and sports over these five decades,” said Steele.
In 2013, Ron Steele spearheaded a Sunday morning broadcast known as “The Steele Report”. The program features deeper coverage on Iowans making news, and the topics that impact people across the state.
Ron is an icon among Iowans with an undeniable legacy,” said News Director Andrew Altenbern.
“To this day, he’s not afraid to pick up a camera and go out the door to shoot video for an assignment. He’s a true leader within the newsroom,” he said.
Ron’s final day with KWWL will be Thursday, February 27.
More about Ron Steele’s career.
For 50 years, in Iowa and around the world, Ron has reported history in the making for KWWL News.
A member of the Iowa Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, Ron was in Saudi Arabia for the Persian Gulf War, when Desert Shield became Desert Storm. He was at the White House when the American hostages came home from Iran. Among the hostages was Iowan, Kathryn Koob, one of the 52 hostages and one of only two women held for the entire 444 days.
Ron anchors the KWWL News at 5, 6 and 10. He also produces and anchors the weekly, half-hour KWWL News and Public Affairs program, The Steele Report.
KWWL began The Steele Report in 2013. Since then, 578 episodes have aired on KWWL and kwwl.com. The show focuses on key current issues, as well as news makers and politicians.
One of his favorite assignments took him on board Air Force One to interview President George Bush (41) as President Bush flew from New Mexico to Iowa for an address in Des Moines.
The IBNA (Iowa Broadcast News Association) has honored Ron with its highest honor, the Jack Shelley Award. He has also won numerous other IBNA News and Sports awards, including Spot News Story of the Year and Sports Story of the Year. Ron is a multiple 1st place winner of the IBNA’s Excellence in Anchoring Award. He is a member of the University of Iowa Hall of Fame, through the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences also honored Ron with its Silver Circle Award during the annual Upper Midwest Emmy Awards program in 2011. He is a multiple Emmy award winner and nominee.
Ron has interviewed hundreds of newsmakers and personalities over his career, including more than four hundred just on his weekly news and public affairs program, The Steele Report, since the show’s inception in 2013.
Some of his most memorable interview subjects include politicians like Joe Biden, George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders and Iowa U.S. Senators, Joni Ernst and Charles Grassley.
Ron also enjoyed interviews with Nobel Peace Prize winners Desmond Tutu, Al Gore, Coleen Rowley, Laura Bush, Lance Armstrong, Kurt Warner, Kirk Ferentz, Olympic Gold Medalist Dan Gable and countless others.
While Ron enjoys exploring world and local events, some of his memorable experiences have involved Iowa children, like Jeremy, a nine-year-old boy dying of cancer. He called Ron from his hospital bed to ask if KWWL could do a story about Make-A-Wish, which had granted Jeremy’s dying wish for a trip to Florida. Because of that story, Ron was a charter board member for the former Make-A-Wish of Northeast Iowa.
A crowd of 60,000 jammed downtown Cedar Rapids to watch Ron carry the Olympic Torch and ignite the cauldron during the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. Later that summer, Ron anchored KWWL’s summer Olympic coverage from Atlanta.
Thanks to the warm response and generosity of KWWL viewers, Ron’s award-winning Iowa’s Child adoption program is the longest running news series in Iowa. Through Iowa’s Child, some 200 of Iowa’s hard-to-place, “special needs” children have found loving families and permanent homes. In 2008, The Coalition for Family and Children’s Services in Iowa honored Ron with its ‘Friend of Children’ Award, also awarded to then-Iowa Governor Chet Culver.
From Civitan Club ‘Citizen of the Year’ to The University of Iowa Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal, hundreds of organizations have recognized Ron for news reporting and community involvement over the past 40 years.
Involved in countless fund-raising efforts over his career, Ron chaired the Community Committee, which helped raise enough money to build the $11 million Five Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum in downtown Waterloo. He also Co-Chaired the Cedar Valley United Way campaign in the 2012, setting an all-time donation record that year.Ron spent 8 years on the Board of Directors for The University of Iowa Alumni Association, and was Board Chair in 2012-2013.
Ron joined KWWL in 1974 as Sports Director, and was the original play-by-play voice of the Iowa Television Network. He also did play-by-play telecasts for NBC Sports and ESPN, including the Women’s College Basketball Finals and NCAA II Wrestling Finals. He still enjoys sports reporting, and has brought KWWL viewers “Live” reports from such events as the Super Bowl, NCAA Basketball Tournament and The Heisman Trophy presentation at New York City’s Downtown Athletic Club.
For nearly 10-years, Ron taught Electronic Media writing at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, and has volunteered for numerous community organizations over the years.
Ron still enjoys making appearances on what he calls ‘the emcee, speaking and banquet circuit’ all across Iowa.
Ron was an avid runner, completing 10 marathons and many 5 & 10K races. Ron and his daughter, Katie, ran the Chicago marathon together in 2008.
In February of 2017, Ron underwent quadruple bypass open heart surgery. The surgery was a complete success, and Ron returned to work in April with what doctors in Iowa City called “a new heart and a 35-year warranty.” He still works out almost daily.
Born in Washington, Iowa, in 1950, Ron grew up in Wapello, and is a 1973 graduate of the University of Iowa.
Ron and his wife, Candy, have been married 51 years and have three grown children, Ben (Abby) Katie (Ryan) & Luke (Emily) They have 9 grandchildren in Harper, Henry, Raeleigh, Anderson, Josephine, Hannah, Gordon, Evelyn and Lincoln.
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- Nearly a month after the Waterloo Community School District warned staff cuts would be announced, we now know exactly what positions are being eliminated in the district, following Monday night's school board meeting.In a presentation to the board, Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith laid out a plan that...
WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) -- Nearly a month after the Waterloo Community School District warned staff cuts would be announced, we now know exactly what positions are being eliminated in the district, following Monday night's school board meeting.
In a presentation to the board, Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith laid out a plan that would equal over $10 million dollars in budget cuts for the 2025/2026 school year, and $6 million dollars in budget cuts for the 2026/2027 school year.
For next school year- over 60 positions will be cut. Dr. Smith says some are actually open unfilled positions that will be closed, or positions that people are voluntarily leaving through attrition. Dozens however, will be folks learning they will be losing their jobs.
"Incredibly difficult to eliminate any position, let alone dozens of them," said Dr. Smith, adding, "I want people to know, whether it’s our employees or our community members, that we’re truly doing what’s best for the district, we really don’t have any options at this point but to reduce significantly."
The district has held over 100 meetings with district leaders over the last 15 months to come up with the cuts. Most of the staff impacted will have received an email tonight to notify them. By the end of the week, Dr. Smith says all affected employees should be contacted.
"We feel good about like right away communicating with effected employees. We feel like we owe it to them, we’ve had time on our side to prepare and plan and so we said we need to send these emails out tonight, now that’s not for every single affected employee but that’s for most," said Dr. Smith.
On top of the staff cuts, several programs and contracts will also be consolidated. That includes the closure of Expo High School - which is expected to be sold by the end of this year, or early next year. Most Expo programs have already been moved to the Central Middle School building- with the remainder set to move to the former Greenbrier elementary school.
Certain staff will also have reductions- all administrative staff, including the superintendent, will have a salary freeze for the next year. During the course of the two year plan, over $2 million dollars will be saved through administrative cuts alone.
The cuts come on the heels of the district, and many others in the state, running out of federal COVID-19 funding, as well as reduced state funding, and rising inflation costs. For several years, including in a proposal for this upcoming year, state funding has been set at just over 2% for Iowa districts. With 3% yearly raises, Dr. Smith says the difference "catches up."
During public comment, one educator called for the public to action, and demand more from state legislators.
"As we see more dollars be funneled towards private school vouchers and charter schools, we do our best to educate our students and provide opportunities, will less funding," she said, adding, "the future of our public schools and of our community depends on our collective voices, speaking and holding our representative and senators accountable. I encourage everyone here to email or call their legislators to ask for adequate funding for our public schools our voices and our votes matter."
In today's presentation, Dr. Smith said the set cuts for 2025 are mostly set and final.
For the 2026/2027 year, dozens of others are also at risk to lose their jobs:
In addition to the cuts, the district is proposing a new property tax levy. The rate would be increased from $13.98/$1,000 taxable value, up to $17.84/$1,000 taxable value. The money from those taxes would contribute to the district's ELL (English Language Learners), Special Education, and At-Risk programs.
An initial hearing on the raise will be on March 25, 2025. A final adoption of both the budget and the levy will be voted on April 28, 2025.
District residents voted yes to a $165 million dollar project last fall to build a new high school, combining Waterloo East and West. This project is being funded by SAVE funds, a 1% sales tax. That money does not contribute to the general fund, and therefore can not be used on staff salaries. The state requires the funds are kept separate, and they can not be used interchangeably.
Earlier this year, KWWL received a copy of an audit highlighting financial challenges the district is facing. It is public information, and posted below:
877-292-2126
