2025.11.10 Regular Session
2025.11.10 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 November 10, 2025 for a Regular Session at the High School Little Theater, 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, Rick Hopper, Joe Hanus, and Beth Wiese. Megan Thiessen was absent. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Leah Paustian, Nicole Paustian, Rylee Leshen, Jon Huebner, Brad Schweppe, Dixie Forcht, Leah Fonua, Django Fonua, Rhonda Ricker, Gerald Husak, Cheryl Husak, Joel Paustian, Laruen Helle, Brianna Derrick, Anita Townsley, Ben Adams, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - Dixie Forcht thanked the community for attending the school play and noted it was very well attended. She expressed appreciation for having such a supportive audience and the opportunity to perform. She also shared that the Friday night show at the Weighting Theatre was sold out.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following consent agenda items: October 27, 2025 Regular Session minutes; bills for payments; Agreement with Timberline Billing Services; District Agreement Between Northwestern College Department of Education and STC Community School District; a donation of $629.93 from STC Activity Boosters for two heat presses; a donation of $4,500.00 from the STC Activity Boosters towards HUDL; early graduation request for Kymani Johnson (November 2025), and early graduation request for Cyenna Guyer (November 2025). All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Elementary Team presented three examples of how they use data to support students, including reading support and intervention (Rhonda Riker), ELL class MAPS (Brianna Derrick), and the Kindness Crew (Leah and Django Fonua, Leah Paustian, and Rylee Leshen). The team emphasized the importance of using data to guide practice and the value of building strong connections with students.
Superintendent Cain noted continued progress on property sales, the hiring of a new district mechanic, and updates to district vehicle planning. SIAC work is underway with the next meeting on December 8th. He congratulated newly elected board members, including write-in candidate Danya Keahna, and shared BoardCon training details. He thanked Dixie for her support of Peter Pan and reminded the Board of the Fall Activities Banquet.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Taylor Devig - District Mechanic
Resignations: Matthew DeZwarte - High School Assistant Boys Basketball
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve casting the weighted vote of the board for Dr. Mary Stevens as director of District Number 3 for the area education agency board of directors. Ayes: Hopper and Hanus Nays: Wiese The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete pay application #4, in the amount of $23,412.14, for South Center Street roadway improvements. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve Garling Construction pay application #27, in the amount of $702,346.34, for general construction services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve Pigott pay application #1, in the amount of $17,944.63, for furniture. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Premier Office Equipment lease, in the amount of $7,938.00 per month, for district printers. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the New Century FS bid proposals, in the amounts of $4,067.00, $1,330.17, and $1,087.00 respectively, for the following: bus barn - replacing tank and add tracking; middle school - cleaning tank and adding pump; and high school - upgrading fuel tracking system. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the application to the School Budget Review Committee in the amount of $4,781.51 for special education administrative costs associated with the River Hills Consortium program for the 2026-2027 school year. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hopper to approve the first readings of the following policies: 411.01 - Classified Employee Defined (new); 411.02 - Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection (new); 411.03 - Classified Employee Contracts (new); 411.04 - Classified Employee Licensing/Certification (new); 411.05 - Classified Employee Assignment (new); 411.06 - Classified Employee Transfers (new); 411.07 - Classified Employee Evaluations (new); 411.08 - Classified Employee Probationary Status (new); 412.01 - Classified Employee Compensation (FKA 412.01); 412.02 - Classified Employee Wage and Overtime Compensation (new); 413.03 - Classified Employee Group Insurance Benefits (new); 412.04 - Classified Employee Tax Shelter Program (new); 413.01 - Classified Employee Resignation (new); 413.02 - Classified Employee Retirement (new); 403.03 - Classified Employee Suspension (new); 413.04 - Classified Employee Dismissal (new); 413.05 - Classified Employee Reduction in Force (FKA 413.05). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the third reading of policy 403.03 E1 - Communicable Diseases - Hepatitis B Vaccine (new). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain reviewed upcoming events, including the Fall Activities Banquet and WaMac Choir Concert (Nov. 10), Veterans Day Assembly (Nov. 11), Board Work Session (Nov. 12), Iowa Thespian Festival (Nov. 14), Professional Development/No School (Nov. 19), All-State Music and OPUS Choir (Nov. 20), and the next Board Meeting (Nov. 24). Middle School Wrestling and Girls Basketball are underway.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary