2025.06.09 Regular and Closed Session
2025.06.09 Regular and Closed SessionOF 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 June 9, 2025 for a Regular Session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 7:00 a.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, Rick Hopper, Joe Hanus, Megan Thiessen, and Beth Wiese. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Emily Chyma, Seth Koch, Heidi Steveson, Cecilie Harrison, Jonathan Meyer with the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, Janelle Pirkl, Melissa Feisel, Gerald Husak, Cheryl Husak, Dixie Forcht, Audrey Roth, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - George Kuhter asked the Board to clarify how brief absences impact long-term sub pay.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes of the May 19, 2025 Special Session; minutes of the May 27, 2025 Regular Meeting; bills for payment as presented; RSAI Membership Dues; Buena Vista University Field Experience, Student Teaching, Practicum, and Internship Agreement; and early graduation request for Ashley Valles - May 2026. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Amy Karg gave a presentation via Google Hangouts on the high school’s 2024-2025 District Career & Academic Plan.
Superintendent Cain gave a middle school update. Roadway work is scheduled to begin this week. The move will be finalized tomorrow, with large items such as desks, tables, and chairs being placed in the gymnasium. Remaining items will be sold or given away. Students have transitioned, and things are going well so far.
Superintendent Cain shared staff and students have transitioned to the new middle school. Board tours and training will take place June 19th. The sub policy language will be reviewed in June. Hiring continues for certified positions. Lou will lead Board training, and Andrew Marotta will speak in August. Summer office hours are posted.
The Board recognition picture will be postponed for the night of the work session.
Seth Koch requested the Board consider restoring his four days of family sick leave, as he used them before the early retirement policy took effect, noting the previous policy did not impact this benefit. He also shared his recent substitute teaching and coaching contributions in May. He encouraged offering early retirement incentives before August 1 to help staff prepare and recommended if limiting the number of participants, to base it upon seniority to avoid confusion. This item is scheduled for Board action on June 23rd.
Superintendent Cain discussed operational sharing with the Board and its cost savings.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the following personnel requests with the addition of pending finding a suitable replacement for Jawny Thompson. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Sierra Norman - 5th Grade Teacher, Leslie Keller - High School Physical Education Teacher, Emily Chyma - Head High School Volleyball Coach, Cort Ahrens - Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Andrew Walton - Summer Weight Room Supervisor, and Emily Chyma - High School Student Council Sponsor
Resignations: Jawny Thompson - 3rd Grade Teacher (pending finding suitable replacement), Heather Wanatee - Head 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Coach, and Heather Wanatee - Head 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
Transfer - Deborah Llewellyn from Elementary School Library Associate to Middle School Library Associate
Officials: High School Soccer - Luke Fischer; Middle School Baseball - Cameron Birch; High School Baseball - Colton Butler, Brennan Ford, Alan Rahe, and Brandon Crall; High School Softball - Brian Hazelton, Myron Linn, Myron Jack, Julie Foglesong, Todd McQueen, Blake Buhr, Duane Duncan, Michael Sciurba, Nick Wilson, Matthew Vogeler, Eric Gilson, Glen Snyder, and Randy Lee; and High School Softball/Baseball - Mike Spurlin, Mike Vint, David Mohr, Mark Parker, Dan Kopriva, Daniel Schriever, and Lee Brecht
TLC Contracts: Addison Krueger - Middle School BLT Lead, Levi Klopping - Middle School ESSA Lead, Missy Jesina - Middle School ESSA Lead, Carla Coates - Middle School PLC Lead, Joy Schirmer - Elementary ESSA Lead, Rhonda Ricker - Elementary ESSA Lead, and Sara Dostal - Elementary PLC Lead
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve a late open enrollment application. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve July 2025 meeting time to 7:00 a.m. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Andrew Marotta Professional Services Contract, in the amount of $10,000.00, for professional development. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Math Learning Center sales order quote, in the amount of $6,765.12, for elementary student workbooks (Bridges and Number Corner). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Really Great Reading quote, in the amount of $7,161.00, for student workbooks. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the McGraw -Hill quote, in the amount of $10,010.82, for social studies textbooks. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Iowa Valley Community College Spring 2025 Invoice, in the amount of $107,109.25, for classes. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the Iowa Valley Community College Fall 2024 Invoice, in the amount of $77,266.15, for classes. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the three (3) new District Mentor Lead positions. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to table Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Change Order #01, in the amount of $8,305.00, for change in the manhole size, until later in the meeting when more information is received. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese, to approve the Garling Construction pay application #21, in the amount of $782,038.70, for general construction services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the first reading of Policy 403.06 - Drug and Alcohol Testing Program and have the school district pay for substance evaluation rehab. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the first reading of Policy 905.01 - Community Use of Buildings and Facilities. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Change Order #01, in the amount of $8,305.00, for change in the manhole size. Ayes: Wiese, Hanus, and Thiessen Nays: Hopper The motion carried.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
The Board took a short recess before entering into closed session.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to enter into Closed Session at 8:31 a.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 a closed session is necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. All Ayes.
Thiessen left the meeting at 8:51 a.m.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to come out of Closed Session at 9:01 a.m.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to table the action on the closed session item until the next meeting. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 7:00 a.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 a.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary