2025.06.23 Regular Sesssion
2025.06.23 Regular SesssionOF 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 23, 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, Angie Bair, Chelsea Naniot, Daxten Naniot, Emily Chyma, Heidi Steveson, Dixie Forcht, Keely Upah, Cecilie Harrison, Nikki Kemper, Matt Zmolek, Steve McAdoo, Krystal Peshel, Seth Koch, Gerald Husak, Sam Peska, Janelle Pirkl, 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 - Chelsea Naniot shared concerns from staff and community members about feeling unheard, unsafe, and afraid of retaliation. She questioned leadership decisions, including a potential superintendent raise, and called for mandatory exit interviews, improved communication, and greater transparency.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes of the June 9, 2025 Regular Session; bills for payment as presented and financials; Services Agreement for Technology Services between Central Rivers Area Education Agency and South Tama CSD 2025-2026; Renaissance quote for FastBridge K-8; Renaissance quote for FastBridge 9-12; agreement to provide services with the University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership; and early graduation request for Izak Bouthilette - January 2026. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Katie Mathern gave the Board a financial update.
Janelle Pirkl and Sam Peska gave an end of year data review.
Superintendent Cain gave a middle school update. The roadway project is on track to finish by late August before school starts. Furniture arrives in July, with an open house planned in August, possibly during back-to-school night. A tour was held during Thursday’s work session. Issues with 40 balancing valves are being addressed, with repairs expected before school begins.
Superintendent Cain discussed moving 2026 graduation to 1:00 p.m., with North Tama’s at 3:00 p.m., aligning with the May 17 calendar date. Chelsea Ahrens, Ben Adams, and Dixie Forcht were involved in the conversation. Mr. Cain noted the Board workshop was productive, with a possible follow-up in August or September. A joint North Tama/STC Board summary is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. following this regular session. An upcoming action item will include allowing 2-3 superintendent vacation days to carry into July.
Drafts of the 2025-26 Student, Activities, Certified, Classified, Substitute, and Preschool Handbooks were presented. Board members were asked to review and provide feedback prior to the July Board meeting.
2025-2026 Fees and Nutrition Fees were discussed and will be brought back for further review and possible action at the July 2025 Board meeting.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Iyana Allen - 4th Grade Teacher, Michelle Morgan - 7-12 Behavior Interventionist, and Myles Eick - High School Science Teacher, Matthew DeZwarte - High School Science Teacher, Kathy Wilkerson - District Mentor Lead, Joy Schirmer - District Mentor Lead, Missy Jesina - District Mentor Lead, Leah Fonua - High School Assistant Volleyball Coach, and Sam Cantonwine - 8th Grade Volleyball Coach
Resignations: Steven Schuett - Mechanics/Bus Maintenance and David Resiner - High School Special Education Paraeducator, Assistant HS Baseball Coach, and Assistant 7th Grade Football Coach
Transfer - Steve Chyma from Director of Transportation to High School Industrial Technology Teacher and Brintley Elsbury from Partnership Center Behavior Interventionist to Elementary Library Paraeducator
Additional TLC Contracts: Kodi Hillman - PLC Lead, Emily Chyma - ESSA Lead, Dan Lopez - BLT, Jill Kienzle - BLT, Michelle Bradley - PLC Lead, Tyler Fulks - PLC Lead, and Heather Wanatee - PLC Lead
Mentoring Contracts for 2025-2026: Michelle Bradley, Amy Stewart, Amy Parizek, Maggie Jesina, Victoria Hamilton, Sarah Dostal, Devin Hoskey, Amy Stotts, Morgan McFate, Janelle Unkrich, Steve Bearden, Denise Danker, Mike Carnahan, Alisa Brinkman, Leah Fonua, Ellen Moran, and Ashley Raue
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Iowa Public School Insurance Program invoices, in the amounts of $606,941.17 and $142,508.29, for property and casualty insurance premiums and worker’s compensation premiums, respectively. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Assured Partners invoice, in the amount of $35,000.00, for fees in lieu of commission. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the Advance Builders proposal, in the amount of $54,000.00, for the west roof on the new middle school to be replaced. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the Hillyard quote, in the total amount of $34,500, over 5 years, for coat and prep for the gyms at the middle school and high school. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Pioneer Athletic Quote, in the amount of $8,503.00, for football goalposts and soccer goals for the middle school practice field. This will be paid for out of the middle school activities budget. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the 2025-2026 English Language Consultant Services between Central Rivers Area Education Agency and South Tama CSD, in the amount of $13,820.00, for services of an EL Consultant. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the 2025-2026 Work-based Learning Coordinator Contract between Central Rivers Area Education Agency and South Tama CSD, in the amount of $26,949.00, for services of a Work-based Learning Coordinator. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Work Experience Coordinator Agreement between Central Rivers Area Education Agency and South Tama CSD, in the amount of $26,258.00, for services of a Work Experience Coordinator. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board discussed the Early Retirement Policy and the request to look at sick days taken prior to the policy was approved. No motion was made; the item failed.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve a 2-year superintendent contract, capped at a raise of $2,000.00, and allowance to carry over two vacation days into July. Ayes: Wise, Hopper, and Dolezal Nays: Hanus and Thiessen The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the operational sharing contracts for the Director of Maintenance, Other Business Official, Director of Curriculum, and Superintendent. Ayes: Thiessen, Hopper, Wiese Nays: Hanus The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus, to approve the Imagine Learning quote, in the amount of $90,000.00, for Edgenuity Academic Integrity and site license. All Ayes. The motion carried. This 3 year Edgenuity site license will be paid annually. South Tama will be invoiced $30,000.00 on 7/1/2025, 7/01/2026, and 7/01/2027.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Tanager Place invoice, in the amount of $7,500.00, for school based services - 1 therapist. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Bluum quote, in the amount of $5,287.50, for a Google-EDLA-certified interactive display. All Ayes. The motion carried. This will be paid for out of the STEAM funding/Mansfield Grant.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the National Geographic Learning quote, in the amount of $5,027.00, for workbooks. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Memorandum of Understandings for the STC High School (9-12) and iJAG and the STC Middle School (7-8) and iJAG, in the amounts of $25,000 and $12,500 respectively, for the iJAG program. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve combining all of the State Bank of Toledo accounts into one. All ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to give the business office authorization to pay additional vendor payments during June 2025 and July 2025, as are due and payable prior to the fiscal year end. In addition, the business office will have the Board President review any checks cut prior to the July 28th Board meeting before being sent out. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $16,656.73, for commissioning - functional performance testing and reimbursables - commissioning. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the second reading of the following policies: 403.06 - Drug and Alcohol Testing Program and 905.01 - Community Use of Buildings and Facilities. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent shared upcoming events and community updates. He highlighted the Mobile Food Pantry as a positive experience for the community and noted that the entire administrative team participated.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:00 a.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to adjourn the meeting at 8:44 a.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary