2024.04.15 Public Hearing, Regular and Closed Session

PUBLIC HEARING, REGULAR, AND CLOSED SESSION

OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE

SOUTH TAMA COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Board of Directors of the Community School District of South Tama County met on April 15, 2024 for a Public Hearing on the 2024-2025 Certified Budget at the STC Middle School, Toledo, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. with some members of the community attending electronically through Google Hangouts.

On call of the roll the following were present:  Elizabeth Dolezal, Jackie Ellenbecker, Rick Hopper, and Megan Thiessen. Absent:  Beth Wiese  Quorum Present.  Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Darvin Graham, Chelsea Ahrens, Ben Adams, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the agenda.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Public Hearing - 2024-2025 Certified Budget

President Dolezal opened the Public Hearing for the 2024-2025 Certified Budget at 5:02 p.m.  The published tax rate of $14.47 was explained compared to last year.  President Dolezal asked for public comments.  Hearing none, President Dolezal asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.

Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to close the Public Hearing at 5:03 p.m.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

The Regular Session was called to order at 5:04 p.m.

On call of the roll the following were present:  Elizabeth Dolezal, Jackie Ellenbecker, Rick Hopper, and Megan Thiessen. Quorum Present.  Beth Wiese joined the meeting at 5:07 p.m.  Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Darvin Graham, Chelsea Ahrens, Ben Adams, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the agenda with the change of moving discussion item B.  Risk Pool to the end of reports as item b.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the April 2, 2024 regular session, minutes from the April 8, 2024 Public Hearing, bills for payment, the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Meskawki for high school and middle school baseball and softball, the Cooperative Sharing Agreement with Meskwaki for high school girls soccer, and the following early graduation requests:  Dominick Ochoa (April 2024), Taylor Slifer (December 2024), Cristal Fonseca (December 2024), Evelyn Fonseca ( December 2024), Mariah Gilbert (December 2024), Adrian Valle (December 2024), Kimberly Alonso (December 2024), Estrella Fonseca (December 2024), Sofia VanDeWalle (December 2024), Brodie Chamberlin (December 2024), Paola Castanon (December 2024), Valery Avalos (December 2024), Yeraldin Valle-Cervantes (December 2024), and Eyan Weitzell (May 2024).  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Public Comment - None

Mr. Adams presented on student behavior at the middle school and also the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Athena Simpson with Wood River Energy provided information to the Board on the Local Government Risk Pool and how it works. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker, to approve the following personnel requests.  All Ayes, except for Wiese, who abstained.  The motion carried.

Hires:  Jason Castor - Middle School Custodian, Valarie Piper - Transportation Paraeducator, and David Wiese - Head Varsity Baseball

Resignations:  Rachel Davis - High School English Teacher, Rachel Davis - Individual Speech Head Coach, Cecilie Harrison - Middle School TAG Teacher, Charlie Shuckahosee - 8th Grade Basketball Coach, David Wiese - Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach, Allisyn DeFields - 6th Grade Literacy Teacher, Marsha Keahna - Assistant High School Girls Basketball Coach, Baron Davis - High School Assistant Cross Country Coach, and Anna McBride - Elementary Art Teacher

Officials:  High School Soccer - Miranda Woodcock, Charles Woodcock, and Xander Wellman

Transfer:  Rhonda Ricker - ESSER Interventionist to Title IIA Class Size Reduction Teacher and Callie Hillman - Middle School Paraeducator to Partnership Administrative Assistant

Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve having a head coach and two assistant coaches for high school girls wrestling.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve paying a stipend for coaches who drive yellow school buses to activities.  The amount will be $50.00 for any events less than 60 miles away and $75.00 for any events 60 miles or greater away.  This will be added to the handbook in a future meeting.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the FY2025 Certified Budget as published.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the first reading of the following policies:  200.01 - Organization of the Board of Directors (FKA 201), 200.01 R1 - Organization of the Board of Directors - Organizational Meeting Procedures (FKA 207.02), 200.02 - Powers of the Board of Directors (FKA 201.03), 200.03 - Responsibilities of the Board of Directors (FKA 201.04), 201 - Board of Directors’ Elections (FKA 202), 202.01 - Qualifications (Revised), 202.02 - Oath of Office (FKA 202.03), 202.03 - Term of Office (FKA 202.02), 202.04 - Vacancies (Revised) and discussion of policy 202.05 - Student School Board Representatives (New).  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the second reading of the following policies:  106 - Title IX - Discrimination and Harassment Based on Sex Prohibited and 501.03 - Compulsory Attendance.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the resolution to allocate funds to the Central Rivers Area Education Agency for 2024-25.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the resolution authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $5,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds and Levying a Tax for the Payment Thereof.   Ayes:  Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, Hopper, and Thiessen.  Nays:  None  The motion carried. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to accept the donation from K&M Sanitation towards the high school sound system, in the amount of $1,000.00.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Mystery Science quote, in the amount of $12,245.00 for mystery science kits for grades 2nd - 5th for the 2024-2025 school year.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the HD Supply quote, in the amount of $99,011.40, for cleaning equipment.  This will be purchased using ESSER funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Garling Construction change order request 48R, in the amount of $8,225.06, for demolition of handrails at the new middle school.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Garling Construction change order request 53, in the amount of $6,202.42, for demolition of existing wood panels, framing a ceiling, and drywalling.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Iowa Association of School Boards invoice, in the amount of $5,654.00, for IASB Membership Dues FY 2024-2025.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $15,000.00, for construction administration/close-out.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the SHI pricing proposal, in the amount of $19,247.12, for the JAMF Pro - subscription license renewal for one year.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the Tama County Auditor invoice, in the amount of $5,831.31, for the STC special election March 5, 2024.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health invoice, in the amount of $5,498.25, for services.  This will be paid out of the Stronger Connections Grant funding.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve the JMC invoices, in the amounts of $8,972.94 (elementary), $7,254.96 (middle school), and $7,496.08 (high school), for software site licenses for the 24-25 school year.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the FY2023 Audit.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

The Board reviewed the current Iowa Works postings. 

Superintendent Cain spoke to the Board about posting for a Family Consumer Sciences position, along with the current math opening and only filling one or the other position. 

Chelsea Ahrens spoke about the possibilities of purchasing athletic trainer services for the District.

The Board discussed a request from a representative of the Meskwaki Nation to utilize our property as an access point to their land they are looking to develop.  The Board felt the Meskwaki Nation will need to find a separate access point at this time. 

Superintendent Cain reported the middle school project continues to move along in a good direction.  He referred to the change order requests previously approved during the meeting.  Additionally, the landscaping budget and plan is up for discussion.  Time has been spent looking at some potential issues related to visual appeal and electrical access points.  Mr. Adams and his team are making the decision on the electrical needs.  Mr. Cain stated if any Board member is interested in a tour, they could schedule a walkthrough during their one to one meeting with him. 

Mr. Cain explained last week, the District submitted their request for joining the NICL, as well as informed the WAMAC of the District’s intentions.  The NICL will have their end of year meeting in April and the District’s request will be on their agenda.  We should know more in the coming weeks.  The District has crossed a few more barriers with the $150,000.00 Homeland Security Grant, provided as part of the Governor’s School Safety Initiative.  It has been discovered the District is not allowed to utilize all of the funding in one building.  The District will move forward with this grant, reviewing its highest needs for each building as it relates to safety.

Board member Hopper gave a shout out on the high school play, Little Women.  He stated everyone involved did a fantastic job.

The Board took a recess from 7:53 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., before going into the Closed Session.

Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to enter into Closed Session at 8:00 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to come out of Closed Session at 8:26 p.m.

Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m.

 

Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President                      Katie Mathern, Board Secretary