2025.10.27 Regular Session
2025.10.27 Regular 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 October 27, 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.
The Board and guests stated the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the District’s mission statement.
On call of the roll the following were present: Rick Hopper, Joe Hanus, Megan Thiessen, and Beth Wiese. Elizabeth Dolezal was absent. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Audrey Roth, Lesley Youngbear, Kendra Youngbear, Kinnyk Peska, Kennan Seda, Chelsea Ahrens, Cort Ahrens, Anna Ahrens, Katie Ahrens, Bentley Steven, Logan Hoskey, Lillian Stotts, Alana Casey, Sam Peska, Jenn Nelson, Ashley Steven, 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 - None
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the following consent agenda items: October 13, 2025 Public Hearing and Regular Session minutes; bills for payment and financials; Tanager Therapist Support Agreement (School Based Services); Cooperative Sharing Agreement with East Marshall Community School District for girls wrestling, boys soccer, and girls soccer; American Boiler & Mechanical Proposal for safety checks and check combustion on two (2) boilers; a donation of $2,000.00 from the State Bank of Toledo for yearbook/calendar; and early graduation request for Melanie Vargas Cruz (November 2025). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Ashley Steven, along with Middle School Student Council members, presented to the Board regarding recent and upcoming student activities. Representing each grade level were: 8th Grade - Bentley Steven and Logan Hoskey, 7th Grade - Kendra Youngbear and Anna Ahrens, 6th Grade - Lilian Stotts and Kinnyk Peska, and 5th Grade - Katie Ahrens and Alana Casey. The students shared highlights of the activities the Student Council has organized so far this year and discussed their plans to further engage students through future events and initiatives.
Superintendent Cain reviewed enrollment, the December 12, 2025 Middle School items sale, and ongoing talks with the City of Toledo regarding the property sale. He also discussed upcoming financial planning, possible work session dates, and the Student Activity Banquet rescheduled to November 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Ryan Ridout - Interim Assistant Girls Basketball Coach and Sam Cantonwine - 7th and 8th Grade Assistant Girls Basketball Coach
Officials: High School Football - CJ “Cameron” Coker, High School/Middle School Basketball - Benjamin Obermann; Joshua Schaefer, John Woodward, Randy Dieken, Jesse Willis, Sam DeVilder, Daniel Dyrland, Richard Ripley, Jonathan Morrow, Loren Wood, Chad Bryant, Max Matthias, Mike Schmidt, Wayne Ritscher, Rod Kolder, Mark Brandt, Todd Savage, Clint Tisdale, Mark Vande Haar, Cole Osterhaus, James Solt, Mark Watts, Stacy O’Hare, Deidra Mohr, Doug Knickrehm, David Stamy, Greg Davies, Jay Freese, Jay Flora, Dave Nitz, Tom Kemper, Eugene Ubben, Tiffany Thiessen, Ashley Castanon, and Jose Placencia; High School/Middle School Wrestling - Travis Smith, Joe Fontenot, Bob Yilek, Brandon Dufoe, Curt Hilmer, Andrew May, Patrick Kopsa, and John Bartello
Additional Contract: Dan Lopez - Counselor Coverage
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve updating the Middle School Academic Eligibility Policy. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Value Inspired Products & Service (ViPS) pay application, in the amount of $13,485.97, for furniture at the new middle school. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to authorize Board President and/or Superintendent to issue and approve special education contracts and open enrollment applications. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Corrective Action Plan and to authorize administration to submit the Corrective Action Plan to the SBRC (School Budget Review Committee). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the resolution to publish a notice setting a public hearing on the conveyance of the property located at 201 South Green Street, Toledo, IA 52342, for November 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Partnership Center. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the resolution to publish a notice setting a public hearing on the conveyance of the property including green space and a football field, located between East Carleton Street and East Ross Street, Toledo, IA, for November 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Partnership Center. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the resolution to publish a notice setting a public hearing on the conveyance of the property locally known as tennis courts and green space, located by the South Tama County Middle School between East Carleton Street and East South Street, Toledo, Iowa, for November 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Partnership Center. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the second readings of the following policies and tabling Policy 403.03 E1 - Communicable Diseases - Hepatitis B Vaccine: 104 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy (Annual), 104 E1 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Complaint Form (Annual), 104 E2 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Witness Disclosure Form (Annual), 104 E3 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Disposition of Complaint Form (Annual), 104 R1 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Investigation Procedures (Annual), 203 - Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest (Revised), 403.03 R1 - Communicable Diseases - Employees - Regulation (New), 405.03 - Licensed Employee Individual Contracts (New), 405.04 - Licensed Employee Continuing Contracts (New), 405.05 - Licensed Employee Work Day (New), 405.07 - Licensed Employee Transfers (New), 405.09 - Licensed Employee Probationary Status (New), 407.01 - Licensed Employee Resignation (New), 407.02 - Licensed Employee Contract Release (New), 407.04 - Licensed Employee Suspension (New), 409.02 - Employee Leaves of Absence (New), 410.01 - Substitute Teachers (Revised), 414 - Classified Employee Professional Purpose Leave (New), and 708 - Care, Maintenance, and Disposal of School District Records (FKA 805.01). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain highlighted upcoming events, including Parent-Teacher Conferences October 28 and 30, the HS Blood Drive October 28, JV Esports vs. Seylour October 29, no school October 31, Barrett Jesina participating at the State Cross Country meet October 31 in Fort Dodge, and the Toledo Band Shell Grand Opening November 1.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to adjourn the meeting at 6:02 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary