2024.08.26 Regular Session
2024.08.26 Regular SessionREGULAR 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 26, 2024 for a regular session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. with some members of the community attending electronically through Google Hangouts.
The Board and guests stated the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the District’s mission statement.
On call of the roll the following were present: Elizabeth Dolezal , Beth Wiese, Jackie Ellenbecker, Rick Hopper, and Megan Thiessen. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Sam Peska, Jill Kienzle, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Public Comment - None
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the agenda with the removal of action item #7. City of Toledo Invoice. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the August 6, 2024 Work Session, August 12, 2024 Regular Session; bills for payment; Alliant Energy Commercial New Construction Rebate Proposal for South Tama Community School, Memorandum of Understanding Between Al Exito and South Tama Community School, and the 2024-2025 College Access & Success AmeriCorps Host Site Memorandum of Agreement. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board had a final Student/Parent Handbook Discussion with administrators through Google Hangouts.
Jill Kienzle, with Partners in Education (PIE), spoke about the Meskwaki Nation Apprenticeship Program, as they were unable to attend the meeting for the PIE plaque presentation. She will give them the plaque personally.
The Board reviewed the open positions within the District.
Chelsea Ahrens, Activity Director, spoke via Google Hangouts, in regards to the “One Team” Campaign. With this campaign, students embrace the support and commit to pursuing success. They exhibit a willingness to spread support among their peers in all student activities. South Tama has been selected as one of the 2025 Girls Wrestling Qualifying Sites for Class 2A. Mrs. Ahrens will be meeting with Mayor of Toledo, Brian Sokol, as they are interested in utilizing the old middle school tennis courts for future projects, such as pickle ball courts and mini-pitches.
The District is partnering with community volunteers to beautify the new middle school campus with landscaping designed by our own community member, Denise Fletcher. To support this initiative, the District is asking if community members are interested in sponsoring plants.
Superintendent Cain told the Board to mark November 21, 2024 on their calendars for the IASB (Iowa Association of School Board) Annual Convention. Beth Wiese was appointed to attend the delegate session at the Convention. He reviewed preliminary enrollment numbers with the Board. Lots of energy and learning occurred the first week of school. Teachers and administrators were leading.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker, to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Tristan Henle - Elementary Kitchen, Amanda Husak - Assistant Individual Speech Coach, Alexia Hoffman - K-4 ELL Paraeducator, and Brooke Dollen - Dance Team Coach
Resignations: Shawn Arey - Preschool Transportation Route and Karl Moeller - High School Custodian
Officials: MS/HS Volleyball - Tiffany Thiessen, Keely Upah, Kennedy Thiessen, Eugene Ubben; High School Cross Country Starter - David Lee; HS Volleyball - Deidra Mohr, Dave Mohr, Gregory Davies, Daniel Rhine, Donald Anderson, Amy Dolash, Peter Cruz, Adonis Hill; MS/HS Football - David Nitz, Dan Johnson, Brian Murphy and Tyler Heeren; HS Football - Tom Kemper, Jay Freese, Craig Harrison, Joe Fontenot, Tim Frake, Dan Thomas, Mark Kenny, Logan Vannega, Norm Granger, Tracy Richmond, Stacy VanArsdale, Terrance Campbell, Mike Meyerhoff, Dave Roberts, Mike Vint, Chris Stimson, Joe Otten, Sam DeVilder, Kyle Bergmann, Terry Schneekloth, Ron Peiffer, Scott Fritz, Doug Yanacek, Dave Yanacek, Scott Zahnle, Tom Velky, Sean Bucheit, Chuck McNally, and Dustin Lutterman
Volunteers: HS Volleyball - Laura Ridout; Speech, Play & Musical - Jowanda Love, Mary Fasse-Shaw, Jeff Shaw, Colleen Probasco, Dan Quigley, Tyler Moran, Taylor Moran; HS Band - Chris Link and Candi Link; HS/MS Wrestling - Dalton Rosenburg and Travis Smith; HS Boys Basketball - Mike Wedmore and Larry Fletcher; HS Gamers Night - Gustavo Chavarria; D&D Roleplaying Club & Esports - Nickolas Seitz; and Esports - Roman Hill
High School PLC Leads: Craig Harrison
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the updated Tuition Reimbursement Form. Ayes: Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, and Thiessen Nays: Hopper The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the updated Land Advancement Form. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to table the Park Planet quote, in the amount of $150,223.00, for new playground equipment at the new middle school. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the MOC Position. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the IXL Learning quote, in the amount of $5,900.00, for IXL site license Grades 5-6 Math and Science and Grades 7-8 Math. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve Garling Construction COR #0084, in the amount of $9,166.68, to add LVT to area B. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Garling Construction COR #0086R, in the amount of $27,078.71, for changes to stairway ceilings. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Garling Construction COR #0083R2, in the amount of $26,959.87, for adding concrete ramp detail, including railing. All Ayes. The motion carried
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the CDW Education estimate, in the amount of $7,785.00, for Google Workspace for Education Plus for students and staff. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Thiessen to approve the Project Lead the Way, Inc. summary, in the amount of $6,909.75, for Project Lead the Way Gateway (6th-8th grade) consumables. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Middle School Clothing Fundraiser. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve Ahlers and Cooney as the District’s legal counsel. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Board’s selections for RSAI’s legislative priorities. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Board’s selections for IASB’s legislative priorities. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve a special education activity paraeducator position. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the first reading of the following policies: 405.02 - Licensed Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection, 411.02 - Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection, 501.01 - Resident Students, 501.02 - Nonresident Students, 501.04 - Entrance - Admissions, 501.05 - Attendance Center Assignment, 501.06 - Student Transfers In, 501.07 - Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals, 501.08 - Student Attendance Records, 501.11 - Student Release During School Hours (Option I or II). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the second reading of the following policies: 501.03 - Compulsory Attendance, 502.06 - Weapons, 502.07 - Student Substance Use, 503.01 - Student Conduct, 503.01 R1 - Student Conduct Regulation, 503.02 - Expulsion, 503.08 - Discipline Policy, and 503.08 R1 - Discipline of Students Who Make Threats of Violence or Cause. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the third reading of policy 306 - Succession of Authority to the Superintendent (FKA 306.04). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Upcoming Events and Community Update: Activities are starting this week.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary