2024.08.06 Work Session

WORK 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 August 6, 2024 for a work session at the Wieting Theatre Community Room, Toledo, Iowa at 4:30 p.m.

On call of the roll the following were present:  Elizabeth Dolezal , Jackie Ellenbecker, and Rick Hopper.  Quorum Present.  Beth Wiese arrived at 4:35 p.m. and Megan Thiessen was absent.  Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Jon Huebner, Janelle Pirkl, Amber Robson, Amy Karg, Ben Adams, Rob Boley, Scott Bolen, Chelsea Ahrens, Brad Schweppe, Sam Peska, Lou Ann Gvist (Iowa Association of School Boards) and Siobhan Schneider (Iowa Association of School Boards).

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

The Board, superintendent, district directors and school administration met to discuss three essential and timely topics the district is facing:  student discipline, chronic absenteeism, and student cell phone usage.  The Board-administrative staff team approached the discussion through the lens of policy development.  The Board discussed the big picture, key things they cared about, what they wanted to see in Board policy related to student discipline and student cell phone usage.  Then, the Board listened as administrative staff shared thoughts and questions related to implementation of Board policy in these areas.  Lastly, the Board and staff heard and discussed an update related to legislative requirements on chronic absenteeism.  The team briefly reviewed DE policy and talked through sections of the policy that are required by law and sections where the district could modify language to suit local needs.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

 

Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President                      Katie Mathern, Board Secretary