2026.11.02 Regular Session
2026.11.02 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 2, 2026 for 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, Michael Avis, and Joe Hanus. Danya Keahna was absent. Quorum present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Cheryl Husak, Gerald Husak, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Hanus, second by Avis to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Forum - None
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the consent agenda as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Katie Mathern provided a financial update following her attendance at a financial training focused on budget projections. Discussion included the district’s projected declining enrollment and the potential impact on its financial outlook. The Board also discussed possible cost-saving measures and future budget considerations, including operational sharing opportunities, transportation costs, early retirement options, and planning for the 2027-2028 budget.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on the Fall Activities Banquet, transportation expenses, and the upcoming Girls State Wrestling Qualifier, including a proposed one-hour early dismissal. Fall parent-teacher conference participation data was reviewed, along with potential operation sharing opportunities to address budget concerns. Mr. Cain also discussed AASA’s Public Education Promise, the CTE Ecosystem framework, and ongoing policy review assignments.
The Board reviewed property value comparisons, current operating expenses, and facility considerations related to the potential sale of the District Administrative Office (White House). Discussion included the estimated property value of $160,000, potential cost savings, relocation expenses, and the feasibility of moving district office operations to the Partnership Building. The Board considered possible next steps, with further discussion anticipated before any decisions are made.
The Board discussed the potential relocation of District Administration offices to the Partnership Center, including renovation costs and the current property’s valuation, and requested a summary of operating expenses such as utilities, snow removal, and maintenance.
The Board discussed preliminary budget considerations for the 2027-2028 school year following the financial update, including potential strategies and next steps to address the district’s financial outlook in the coming months.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Anthony Garcia - Middle School Special Education Paraeducator and Journey Verdulla - Preschool Paraeducator
Resignations: Ashley Steele - Elementary Special Education Paraeducator
Transfers: Tanner Large from Middle School Assistant Baseball Coach to High School Assistant Baseball Coach
Volunteers: Archery - Andrea Boldt, Jason Boldt, Brad Weitzell, Liz Weitzell, Amber Robson, Charity Ford, Mike Ford, Ludvick Ortiz, Michelle Schroeder, and Jeff Schroeder
Officials: High School/Middle School Wrestling - Travis Smith, Scott Groth, Curt Hilmer, Bob Yilek, Joe Fontenol, Bill Reed, Tyler Barber, Kyla Andrew, Steven Henry, Richard Briggs, Cal Corrin, Mitch Knock, and Tim Knaack; High School/Middle School Basketball - Michael Federer, Nathan Carlson, Dan Thomas, Kelli Kleindorfer, Deidra Mohr, Stacy O’Hare, Doug Yanecek, Steve Wise, Brendan Sullivan, Rod Kolder, Mike Schmidt, Wayne Ritscher, Jeff Freese, Ethan Davis, Derrick Schantz, Steve Allman, Kelby Homeister, Chris Shaw, Mike Bandstra, Jason Bandstra, Mark Watts, Fred Griffiths, TJ Shubert, Chris Heidelbauer, Doug Knicrehm, David Stamy, Greg Davies, Randy Dieken, Jesse Willis, Steve Dick, Joseph Boord, Adam Busch, Astor Williams, Miquan Miccou, Terrance Campbell, Brent Behrens, Jeff Klein, Tobias Lunsford, Richard Baker, Steve McDowell, Chet Wieland, Matt Schaefer, Kevin Carlson, Charlie Wiebers, Randy Reindl, Matt Ruehling, Jon Baker, Cole Gidel, Dave Nitz, Tom Kemper, Jose Placencia, Eugene Ubben, Seth Koch, and Joe Otten; and High School Football - Mike Spurlin
Motion by Hopper, second by Avis to table Early Retirement to the December 7th Board meeting. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hanus, second by Avis to approve the Hudl invoice, in the amount of $9,900.00, for athletic video analysis and streaming. All Ayes. The motion carried. This will be paid for entirely through the Activity Fund and South Tama Activity Boosters.
Motion by Hopper, second by Avis to approve the creation of the high school FCCLA Club. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Avis, second by Hanus to approve the first review of the following policies: 507.09 - Wellness Policy, 507.09 R1 - Wellness Policy Regulation, 605.08 R1 - Artificial Intelligence in the Education Environment, 210.01 - Annual Meeting, 210.02 - Regular Meeting, 210.03 - Special Meeting, 210.04 - Work Session, 210.05 - Meeting Notice, 210.06 - Quorum, 210.07 - Rules of Order, 210.07 R1 - Rules of Order Regulation, 210.08 - Board Meeting Agenda, 210.08 E1 - Board Meeting Agenda - Example, 210.08 E2 - Board Meeting Agenda - Example with Closed Session, 210.09 - Consent Agenda, 211 - Open Meetings, 212 - Closed Session, 212.01 - Exempt Meeting, 213 - Public Participation in Board Meetings, 213.01 - Public Complaints, 214 - Public Hearing, 215 - Board Directors’ Records, 215 E1 - Board Directors’ Records - Board Meeting Minutes, 216.01 - Association Membership, 216.02 - Board of Directors’ Member Development and Training, 216.03 - Board of Directors’ Compensation of Expenses, and 217 - Gifts to Board Members. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the second reading of the following policies: 302.01 - Superintendent Qualifications, Recruitment, Appointment; 302.02 - Superintendent Contract and Contract Nonrenewal, 302.03 - Superintendent Salary and Other Compensation, 302.04 - Superintendent Duties, 303.02 - Administrator Qualifications, Recruitment, Appointment, 407.06 - Employee Early Retirement; 505.05 - Graduation Requirements; 701.05 R1 - Fiscal Management - Financial Metrics; 804.07 - Radon Mitigation; and 804.07 R1 - Radon Mitigation Regulation. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Superintendent shared upcoming district events and activities, including the fall play, student field trips, middle school basketball and wrestling competitions, the WaMaC Choir Concert, the High School Fall Activities Banquet, FAFSA Completion Night, and the Iowa Thespian Festival. The STC Music Boosters Music Bingo fundraiser was also highlighted.
Hopper discussed concerns regarding the financial impact of students open enrolling out of the district and emphasized the need to better understand the reasons, establish measurable district improvement goals, improve student proficiency, and set clear expectations for administration and future district leadership.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 5: 00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama, IA.
Motion by Hanus, second by Avis to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary