2025.09.08 Public Hearing, Regular and Closed Session

PUBLIC HEARING, REGULAR, AND CLOSED SESSIONS

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 8, 2025 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. 

On call of the roll the following were present:  Elizabeth Dolezal, Joe Hanus, and Rick Hopper.  Quorum Present.  Beth Wiese and Megan Thiessen were absent.  Also present were:  Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dixie Forcht, Gerald Husak, Craig Sash, Dr. Kurt Boerm, Sean Roberts, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the agenda.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Public Hearing - 2025-2026 Calendar Change:  President Dolezal opened the Public Hearing for 2025-2026 Calendar Changes.  The change in times will be as follows:  Early dismissal and Regular Day Start Times - Elementary and Middle School - 8:10 a.m. and High School - 8:15 a.m., Regular Day End Times - Elementary and Middle School - 3:20 p.m. and High School - 3:25 p.m., and Early Dismissal End Times - Elementary and Middle School - 2:25 p.m. and High School - 2:30 p.m.  President Dolezal asked for public comments.  Hearing none, President Dolezal asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.

Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to close the Public Hearing at 5:02 p.m.

The regular session was called to order at 5:03 p.m.

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, Joe Hanus, and Rick Hopper.  Quorum Present.  Beth Wiese and Megan Thiessen were absent.  Also present were:  Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dixie Forcht, Gerald Husak, Craig Sash, Dr. Kurt Boerm, Sean Roberts, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the agenda.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Public Comment - None

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the following consent agenda items:  August 25, 2025 Regular Session minutes, bills for payment as presented, Contract between Iowa Valley Community College District and STC School District for Summer College Credit Program 2025, Contract between Iowa Valley Community College District and STC School District for 2025-2026 Academic Year, Al Exito Memorandum of Understanding between Al Exito and STC School District (Perpetual), $987.74 donation from STC Music Boosters for half of the Band Adventureland Trip, $500.00 from James and Mary Roan for the Band and Choir Departments, $4,100 from TWE for towel tappers, early graduation request for Ramiro Saquic Xirum (December 2025), and early graduation request for Addison Klenk (December 2025).  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

The Board made connections with the Board agenda and the District’s Strategic Plan using the priorities and values/beliefs. 

Craig Sash presented on the proposed Phase 2 development with Salt Creek Wind, located entirely within the South Tama County School District and projected to generate $1.2 million annually.  The Board noted benefits from Phase 1 and expressed support for Phase 2, with a public hearing set for September 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the State Bank of Toledo Meeting Room.

Chelsea Ahrens presented, virtually, Fall Activity Handbooks outlining activity expectations and consistency across programs, with Board discussion set for September 22nd.  President Dolezal noted the volleyball handbook includes a parent/guardian and player acknowledgement page for accountability.

Superintendent Cain provided updates on the early retirement policy, evaluation goals, property sales, enrollment, communications, board activity, fall handbooks, and the Al Exito agreement.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the South Tama County Board of Directors Resolution stating they are in support of the Tama County Board of Supervisors approving the Salt Creek 2 Settlement Agreement and allowing Salt Creek 2 to be constructed and the financial benefits for education to flow.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

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

Hires:  Ruby Seniva - High School Kitchen Staff, Issac Judge - Assistant Varsity Boys Wrestling, Leslie Martinez - Special Education Paraeducator, Charlie Shuckahosee - Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball, and Justice Chavarria - Middle School Special Education Paraeducator

Volunteers:  Mike Zmolek - Middle School Football

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve TRIO Talent Search overnight student trips:  to the University of Northern Iowa (Oct. 6-7), and to Omaha, Nebraska (Oct. 23-24), including college visits and educational activities.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the Office Concepts Pay Application, in the amount of $5,937.36, for furniture for the new middle school.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete Pay Application #03, in the amount of $36,413.34, for roadway improvements.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the Garling Construction Pay Application #24, in the amount of $79,628.90, for general construction services.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the Garling Construction Pay Application #25, in the amount of $68,451.51, for general construction services.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Sports Graphics quote, in the amount of $4,814.00, for wall graphics.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the 2025-2026 Calendar changes.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the Viking Automatic Sprinkler Co. invoice, in the amount of $5,590.00, to replace a control valve at the elementary.  All Ayes.  The motion carried.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the first reading of the following policies:  100 - Legal Status of the School District, 101 - Educational Philosophy of the School District, 103 - Long Range Needs Assessment, 103-R1 - Long Range Needs Assessment - Regulation, 407.06 - Employee Early Retirement, 505.08 R1 - Parent and Family Engagement District-Wide Policy (formally Parental Involvement) - Building-Level Regulation, 506.01 - Educational Records Access, 804.06 R1 - Use of Recording Devices on School Property - Use of District-Owned Recording Devices Regulation, 506.02 - Student Directory Information, 506.02 R1 - Student Directory Information - Use of Directory Information, 506.04 - Student Library Circulation Records, and rescinding 504.05 - Student Fundraising.  All Ayes.  The motion carried. 

Superintendent Cain reported the school year has started well, with the Middle School settling in and staff continuing to address minor building issues related to sewer gas odors.

Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.

Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to enter into Closed Session at 6:17 p.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.

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to come out of Closed Session at 7:24 p.m.

The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA. 

Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m.

 

Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President                   Katie Mathern, Board Secretary