2024.09.24 Regular Session

REGULAR 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 September 24, 2024 for a regular session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 4:30 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, Steve McAdoo, Sam Peska, Amber Robson, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.

Public Comment - Anita Townsley via Google Hangouts thanked the Board for giving the District time to grieve and recited a poem.  She also is sending thoughts to those having difficult days. 

Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the agenda with switching action items #10.  Z Line Quote and #11.  Plow Truck Quotes around.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the September 9, 2024 Regular Session, bills for payment, Windstream Service Agreement, Girls Wrestling Cooperative Sharing Agreement for 2024-2025, and Cleaver Brooks Annual Boiler Inspection Proposal.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

The Board reviewed the open positions within the District.

Superintendent Cain informed the Board he didn’t have much for a Middle School update.  Progress is continuing.  The landscape project will take place on October 2nd.  Chelsea Ahrens is setting up student volunteers and Denise Fletcher is working on community groups for the project. 

The District received an additional bill  from lawyers for the WAMAC situation and Waverly-Shell Rock appealing.  This bill is being split evenly among all of the schools in the conference.  The District was able to host the celebration of life for Sydney Culbertson.  Superintendent Cain gave a special “thank you” to Steve McAdoo and his crew for preparing the facility and grounds.  He also thanked Chelsea Ahrens for her help with the service. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper, to approve the following personnel requests.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Hires:  Madison Cole - 1:1 Aide for Student in Special Education involved in activities and Jessica Wilson - Healy - High School Color Guard Sponsor

Resignations:  Kelly Thompson - Middle School Art Teacher

Transfer:  Jim Hala - From Preschool Bus Route Driver to High School Custodian

Motion by Hopper, second by Ellenbecker to approve compensating those special education teachers with extra in their caseloads $25.00 per point over 110 points in their caseloads.  This will be re-evaluated each semester.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Garling Construction change order request 090, in the amount of $5,348.81, for owner’s request for power to the existing well field sump pump.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the Garling Construction change order request 091, in the amount of $20,476.80, for owner’s request to replace lights in the existing tunnel.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Cornelius invoice, in the original Board-approved amount, for seed.  This will be paid for out of the farm account.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

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

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the CST quote, in the amount of $15,276.15, for boring fiber to the new middle school.  This will be paid for out of PPEL/SAVE funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Cleave Brooks proposal, in the amount of $17,567.13, for (4) boilers annual inspection.   This will be paid for out of PPEL/SAVE funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Thys Chevrolet price summary, in the amount of $50,763.00, for a 2024 Ram 2500 plow truck.  This will be paid for out of PPEL/SAVE funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Z Line LTD quote, in the amount of $6841.00, for a snow plow and installation.  This will be paid for out of PPEL/SAVE funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried

Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the Traffic and Transportation Products, Limited quote (option #2), in the amount of $9,200.00, to upgrade the flashers on the highway, in front of the high school, to wireless.  This will be paid for out of PPEL/SAVE funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

The District is coming off homecoming week.  There is a home volleyball game tonight.

Director Ellenbecker spoke about Board member code versus Iowa Code and asked Board members to review resources. 

The next Board meeting will be on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA. 

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 p.m.

 

Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President                   Amber Robson, Acting Board Secretary for Katie Mathern, Board Secretary