2026.06.08 Regular and Closed Sessions
2026.06.08 Regular and Closed SessionsOF 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 8, 2026 for a regular session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa beginning 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 (online), Danya Keahna, and Megan Thiessen. Quorum present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dixie Forcht, Jonathan Meyer, Janelle Pirkl, Jennifer Nelson, Joe Otten, Matt Zmolek (Gallagher), Kim Rubenbauer, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Forum - None
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the consent agenda as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board reviewed the 2026 summer office hours for the District Office, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Partnership Center. Summer schedules and building closure dates were provided for informational purposes.
The Board discussed a proposal for a full-time athletic trainer position to provide medical support and injury care for student-athletes in grades 7-12. Discussion included the proposed salary, responsibilities, work schedule, and coverage for athletic events throughout the year, including summer activities.
The Board discussed proposed revisions to the Extra Duty Contract Schedule. Proposed changes included removing the Baseball Grounds Keeper and Assistant FFA/Voc Ag Sponsor positions, moving the Dance Team Coach position from Level IV to Level III to reflect increased program responsibilities, and placing the Show Choir Sponsor positions at Level IV due to the reinstatement and growth of the program. Supporting rationale and documentation were reviewed.
The Board reviewed the proposed updates to the 2026-2027 Preschool, Elementary/Middle/High School, Certified, Classified, and Student-Parent Activities Handbooks. It was noted that the revisions are fewer than in previous years but remain a work in progress. Administrators will continue to review the handbooks with their teams and gather additional feedback, with final approval anticipated at the July board meeting.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on community feedback priorities, upcoming board and administrator workshops, potential July board retreat dates with IASB, 2026-2027 board meeting dates, the middle school surplus sale, proposed extracurricular requests, and personnel matters. The Board also received information regarding two scheduled closed sessions for student expulsion hearings and discussed ongoing planning for handbook revisions and district initiatives.
Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the following personnel requests. Ayes: Hopper, Dolezal, and Thiessen. Nays: Keahna and Hanus. The motion carried.
Hires: Michaela Rowell - Elementary Special Education Teacher, William Forbes - 7-12 Band Director, Judie Womack - Elementary Kitchen Staff, Josh Casey - High School Maintenance/Custodial, Destinee Jennings - 8th Grade Literacy, Sydney Buseman - 5th Grade Teacher, and Rhonda Ricker - Summer School Coordinator
Resignations: Marissa Purk - 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Amanda Husak - High School ELL Teacher, David Hartman - Partnership Center At-Risk Teacher, and Ashlee Garcia - Middle School ELL Paraeducator
Transfers: Jenny Schlabaugh from Elementary Family/School Liaison to Preschool Paraeducator, Ramona Ray from Elementary Special Education Paraeducator to Preschool Paraeducator, Bailey Chyma from Middle School Math Teacher to High School Science Teacher, and Sierra Lolley from 5th Grade Teacher to 6th Grade Math Teacher
Officials: Jeff Junker - High School Baseball Umpire
TLC Contracts: Instructional Coach .25 FTE - Dixie Forcht, Missy Jesina, and Rhonda Ricker; Instructional Coach .75 FTE - Paula Graves, Joy Schirmer, and Kathy Wilkerson; BLT Leads - Natasha Becker, Dixie Forcht, Crystal Hass, Dawn Henley, Devin Hoskey, Kelle Johannsen, Jill Kienzle, Addison Krueger, Dan Lopez, Haley Mengler, Morgan McFate, Amy Parizek, Dustin Peska, Tammy Weiss, and Jessica Wilkerson; ESSA Lead - Bailey Barnes, Samantha Boldt, Emily Chyma, Nate Doran, Dixie Forcht, Paula Graves, Missy Jesina, Emma Johnson, Levi Klopping, Dustin Peska, Ashley Raue, Rhonda Ricker, Megan Rosenberger, Audrey Roth, Joy Schirmer, Kelli Smith, Amy Stotts, Kathy Wilkerson, Madison Winkelman, and Deanna Zmolek; PLC Lead - Taylor Brown, Carla Coates, Jill Dilly, Nate Doran, Sarah Dostal, Tyler Fulks, Kodi Hillman, Maggie Jesina, Hana Kucera, Travis McBride, Ashley Raue, Audrey Roth, Teresa Smith, Anita Townsley, Heather Wanatee, and Deanna Zmolek; Special Education Lead - Kelle Johannsen, Dustin Peska, and Amy Wyatt; and Trojan Way Lead - Emily Chyma, Paula Graves, and Anita Townsley
Other: Sierra Lolley - Middle School Student Council Sponsor
Summer School Teachers/Paraeducators: Rylee Leshen, Natasha Becker, Emeri Krueger, Janelle Unkrich, Katelyn Schuett, Rochelle Kelsey, Estrella Yepez, Laura Galvez, Reece Abbott, Estrella Fonseca, Nadia Jimenez, Leslie Martinez, Sue Kaloupek, Guadalupe Garcia, and Madison Cole
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to approve the Thomas Company Quote, in the amount of $6,897.00, for delivery and installation of a 3 door refrigerator for the elementary kitchen. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the Eide Bailly Invoice, in the amount of $9,747.15, for time incurred through April 30, 2026 for services related to Section 48 Energy Credit Analysis under the agreement letter dated November 4, 2025. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to approve the Musco Quote, in the amount of $8,975.00, to re-lamp (42) 1500 Watt Musco SportsCluster Fixtures on the Baseball Field (Replace lamps, Clean lenses and reflectors, and Old lamp disposal). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the 2026-2027 Property/Casualty and Work Comp Insurance Renewal, in the amount of $781,474.61. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve the Assured Partners Invoice, in the amount of $35,000, for fees in lieu of commission. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the resolutions to set the public hearing on the conveyance of the old middle school property for July 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Partnership Center located at 215 W. 9th Street, Tama, IA 52339 and that the secretary is authorized and directed to prepare, publish, and distribute the Notice of Hearing. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to approve the Board meeting dates for the 2026-2027 year, with the meetings being every 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to table the Athletic Trainer position until after the board/administration meeting. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the TCI Textbook Quote, in the amount of $82,404.50, for six-year social studies curriculum. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the first readings of the following policies: 711.08 - Transportation in Inclement Weather (FKA 702.02), 711.09 - District Vehicle Idling (FKA 702.05), 711.10 - School Bus Passenger Restraints (FKA 702.06), 712 - Technology and Data Security (new), 712 R1 - Technology and Data Security - Security Requirements of Third-Party Vendors Regulation (new), 713 - Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking (new), 713 R1 - Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking - Regulation (new). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to table the second readings of the following policies: 704.06 R1 - Fundraising Within the District - Regulation, 705.03 - Payment for Goods and Services, 706.01 - Payroll Periods, 706.02 - Payroll Deductions, 706.03 - Reduction in Employee Pay, 706.03 R1 - Reduction in Employee Pay - Regulation, 707.01 - Presentation and Publication of Financial Information, 707.05 - Internal Controls, 707.06 - Audit Committee, 709 - Insurance Program, 710.02 - Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility, 710.03 - Vending Machines, 711.01 - Student School Transportation Eligibility, 711.02 - Student Conduct on School Transportation, 711.02 R1 - Student Conduct on School Transportation - Regulation, 711.03 - Student Transportation for Extracurricular Activities, 711.04 - Summer School Program Transportation Service, 711.05 - Transportation of Nonresident and Nonpublic School Students, 711.06 - Transportation of Nonschool Groups, and 711.07 - School Bus Safety Instruction. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to table the third readings of policy 604.06 - Instruction at a Post-Secondary Education Institution (new) for a third reading. All Ayes. The motion carried
Superintendent Cain shared updates on upcoming events and community activities within the district.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to take a recess beginning at 6:03 p.m. until first closed session at 6:30 p.m.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Keahna to enter Closed Session at 6:27 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(e) to discuss whether to conduct a hearing, or conduct a hearing for suspension or expulsion of a student, unless an open meeting is requested by the student or the parent of the student. Roll Call Vote: Ayes - Dolezal, Hopper, Hanus, Keahna, and Thiessen. Nays - None. The motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 7:21 p.m. No action was taken
Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to enter Closed Session at 7:23 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(e) to discuss whether to conduct a hearing, or conduct a hearing for suspension or expulsion of a student, unless an open meeting is requested by the student or the parent of the student. Roll Call Vote: Ayes - Dolezal, Hopper, Hanus, Keahna, and Thiessen. Nays - None. The motion carried.
At 7:30 p.m., and at the request of the student’s parent/guardian, Board Member Keahna was excused from the closed session and was not present for the remainder of the hearing or the Board’s deliberations on this matter.
The Board returned to open session at 9:13 p.m. Board Member Keahna rejoined the meeting upon the Board’s return to open session
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to expel Student B for the first semester of the 2026-2027 school year, with the student eligible to return for the second semester under a probationary status subject to the conditions established by the administration. Roll Call Vote: Ayes - Dolezal, Hopper, and Thiessen. Nays - Hanus. Abstain - Keahna. The motion carried
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 5: 00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama, IA.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary