2024.10.14 Regular and Closed Session

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 October 14, 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 via Google Hangouts, Beth Wiese, Jackie Ellenbecker, and Megan Thiessen.  Quorum Present.  Rick Hopper arrived at 5:23 p.m. and Jackie Ellenbecker left at 5:14 p.m.  Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Amber Robson as Acting Board Secretary, Jill Kienzle, Robert Boley, Amy Karg, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.

Public Comment - Jackie Ellenbecker read a letter of resignation from her Board position.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the agenda with an amendment to the name of Garling Construction to Darling Ingredients under F. Consent Agenda - 4.  Gifts, Grants & Bequests #2 and to Action Item #1. Personnel - changing the hiring of Jill Kienzle as MOU from 1 year of experience to 5 years.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the September 20, 2024 Special Session, September 24, 2024 Regular Session, October 4, 2024 Special Session, bills for payment, City of Toledo Reinig Center Rental Agreement for November 19, 2024 Pre ACT Testing, City of Toledo Reinig Center Rental Agreement for November 21, 2024 Pre ACT Testing, Vikin Inspection Agreement, $15,000.00 Activity Booster Donation for the High School sound system, a $1,500.00 donation from Darling Ingredients to FFA, and authorization for the Board President and/or Superintendent to Issue and Approve Special Education Contracts and Open Enrollment Applications.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Mr. Boley and Mrs. Karg presented on behalf of the high school.  Ms. Karg presented on how the year has gone so far in relation to attendance and discipline.  Mr. Boley discussed the Post-Secondary Readiness Report. 

STC was asked to host the girls wrestling district meet on January 31st.  A public hearing will be held at the next Board meeting for changes in dismissal for this day.

Superintendent Cain discussed the recommendation of changes to Bereavement Leave in the handbooks.  This will be brought back as an action item at a future Board meeting. 

The Board discussed the advantages and disadvantages of recording the online Board meetings and posting them on the website.  This will be brought back as an action item at a future Board meeting.

Superintendent Cain discussed the IASB School Improvement Needs Assessment with the Board and how one of the Board’s goals this year is to update the Strategic Plan.  Mr. Cain will get a cost from IASB to run a needs assessment and bring it back as an action item at a future Board meeting. 

Superintendent Cain informed the Board he visited the new middle school today.  Steve McAdoo’s crew has been watering the plants.  Carpet, tile, and cabinets have been installed.  Mr. Cain has been searching for funding for the playground at the new middle school.  He proposed using some of the Lauderdale funds that were donated previously.  This will be brought back as an action item at a future Board meeting.   

Certified enrollment is down 40+ students.  The District graduated a large class in 2024 and brought in a class with fewer students.  We were predicting this trend.  The SafeTrack app is not working as effectively as we need it to be. The District’s landscaping project was an excellent display of community and school involvement.  Mr. Cain has heard nothing but positives about it.  Recent professional development efforts have been moving along well.  Janelle Pirkl will provide us with more updates in this area at our October 28th Board meeting. 

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

Hires:  Brenon Chyma - Assistant Middle School Boys Wrestling Coach, Madison Cole - Basketball Cheerleading Coach, Jill Kienzle - District MOC Coordinator, and Amy McCabe - Middle School Library Management

Resignations:  Steve Chyma - High School Assistant Softball Coach

Officials:  Middle School Girls and Boys Basketball - Tom Kemper and David Nitz; Middle School Girls & Boys Wrestling - Patrick Kopsa, John Bartello, Brandon Defoe, and Curt Hilmer; MS Boys Wrestling - Bob Yilek and Dave Litterer; Middle School Boys Basketball - Eugene Ubben, Seth Koch, and Tiffany Thiesen

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve Garling Construction’s pay application 013, in the amount of $1,695,621.50, for contractor services.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $26,444.31, for construction administration/closeout, commissioning - construction, and additional services - retaining wall.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the Iowa Valley College District invoice, in the amounts of $13,676.00 for career academy and $78,464.75 for Spring 2024 contracted classes.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the Garling Construction change order request 98, in the amount of $19,786.72, for paving/landscaping of the south entrance of the new middle school.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the Ahlers & Cooney invoice, in the amount of $20,544.03, for professional services rendered in regards to the 2024 General Obligation Bonds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the CST quote, in the amount of $5,990.66, for labor and material to splice into the existing fiber going to the middle school.  This will be paid for out of PPEL/SAVE funds.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the first reading of the following policies:  502.10 - Use of Motor Vehicles (FKA 508.01), 603.01 - Basic Instruction Program (FKA 602.01), 605.04 - Technology and Instructional Materials (FKA 605.05), 700 - Purpose of Non-Instructional and Business Services, 701.05 R1 - Fiscal Management, 802.04 - Capital Assets, and 802.07 - Energy Conservation (New).  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the second reading of the following policies:  506.01 - Education Records (FKA 505.01). 506.01 R1 - Education Records Access - Regulation (FKA 505.01 R1), 506.01 E2 - Education Records Access - Authorization for Release of Education Records (FKA 505.01 E3), 506.01 E3 - Education Records Access - Request for Hearing on Correction of Education Records (FKA 505.01 E4), 506.01 E4 - Education Records Access - Request for Examination of Education Records (FKA 505.01 E2), 506.01 E5 - Education Records Access - Notification of Transfer of Education Records (FKA 505.01 E6), 506.01 E6 - Education Records Access - Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena (New), 506.01 E7 - Education Records Access - Juvenile Justice Agency Information (FKA 505.01 E8), 506.01 E8 - Education Records Access - Annual Notice (FKA 505.01 E9), 506.02 - Student Directory Information (FKA 505.02), 506.02 E1 - Student Directory Information - Use of Directory Information (New), 506.04 - Student Library Circulation Records (FKA 505.03), 505.08 - Parent and Family Engagement District-Wide Policy - Building Level Regulation, and 103.00 - Long Range Needs Assessment.  Policy 503.09 - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices (FKA 502.08) and 503.09 R1 - Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices - Regulation (New) will be brought back for a third reading.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Upcoming Events and Community Update:  Donuts with Dudes will be on October 17, 2024.  There is a RSAI meeting coming up within the next couple of weeks.  On October 18th, a small group will have a meeting with ISG to go over furniture for the new middle school and what will need to be purchased.  Conferences are October 22nd and 24th and can be scheduled for virtual or in-person. 

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, October 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA. 

The Board took a recess from 6:50 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., before going into the Closed Session.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to enter into Closed session at 6:59 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate, but only when premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the Board would have to pay for the property, or in case of a sale reduce the price the Board could receive for the property. 

Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to come out of Closed Session at 7:31 p.m.

Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m.

 

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

                                                                          Katie Mathern, Board Secretary