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 in a Work Session on June 19, 2023 at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 4:30 p.m., prior to the Regular Session.
On call of the roll the following were present: Mandy Lekin, Elizabeth Dolezal, Penny Tyynismaa, Clint Werner, and Beth Wiese. Absent: None. Quorum Present. Also present were: John Cain and other administrators.
The Board and administrators discussed a book they are completing a book study on.
The Board of Directors of the Community School District of South Tama County met on June 19, 2023 for a Regular Session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. with members of the community attending electronically through Google Hangouts..
On call of the roll the following were present: Mandy Lekin, Elizabeth Dolezal, Penny Tyynismaa, Clint Werner, and Beth Wiese. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Marilyn Rippy, Sam Peska, Rob Boley, Ben Adams, Amy Karg, Scott Bolen, Chris Gustafson, Megan Thiessen, Ben Steele with Lincoln Savings Bank, Jared Schirmer with Lincoln Savings Bank, Stephany Hanes with Lincoln Savings Bank, Jeff Niedermann, Joe Miller, Jonathan Meyer with the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese, to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Werner to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the
June 5, 2023 regular Board meeting; minutes from the June 12, 2023 special meeting; bills for payment as presented; Meskwaki Convention Center Contract for opening day; Scharnweber Backflow Test Report; Tanager Business Agreement; and early graduation requests for Mary Kate Frakes - January 2024, Gloria Mullen - January 2024, Marian Martinez - January 2024, Juan Manuel Romo, Jr. - January 2024, and Catarina Morales - January 2024. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comments – None.
Motion by Wiese, second by Dolezal to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Jim Hala - Preschool Route Driver, Vanessa Valdovinos - Preschool ELL Paraeducator, Melody Vallente - Computer Science and Business Teacher, Tara Hansen - High School ELL Teacher, and Yessenia Cervantes - ELL K-4 Paraeducator
Lead Teacher Contracts for the 2023-2024 School year: Maggie Jesina - Preschool, Jennifer Anderson - Kindergarten, Melody Cole - 1st Grade, Missy Jesina - 2nd Grade, Tasha Becker - 3rd Grade, Amy Parizek - 4th Grade, Tiffany Bridgewater - ELL, Amy Wyatt - Special Education, Ashley Raue - 5th Grade, Michelle Wiegand - 6th Grade, Ashley Stevens - Math, Paula Graves - Science, Amy Stotts - Literacy, George Kuhter - Social Studies, Jeanette Stacey - Special Education, Stephanie Lane - Specialist, Robert Tyynismaa - Math, Dan Lopez - Guidance, Victoria Hamilton - Language, Dixie Forcht - TAG, Kelle Johannsen - Special Education, Rachel Davis - Literacy, Danny Mayo - Science, Emily Chyma - Social Studies, Marsha Keahna - Physical Education
Resignations: Todd Dale - Health Teacher and Head Frosh Football Coach
Transfers: Levi Klopping from Assistant MS Boys Soccer to Head MS Boys Soccer and Kodi Hillman from Head 7th Grade Girls Basketball to Head 8th Grade Girls Basketball
Officials: Nick Upah - MS Baseball, Cole Johnson - HS Baseball/Softball, Brian Sauser - HS Baseball/Softball, Skylar Hanford - HS Baseball/Softball, and Tyrus Clegg - MS Baseball
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Werner to approve an Assistant Football Cheerleading Coach position. This will be a Level 5 position on the salary schedule. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the Activities/Events Emergency Action Plans as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Two interested candidates, Chris Gustafson and Megan Thiessen, were given the opportunity to answer three questions in front of the STC Board of Education to fill the District 3 vacancy on the Board. All candidates were asked the following questions: Tell us about your desire to serve on the board and the experience you have to contribute. What is the most important issue facing public education today? What is the thing you are proudest of in our district?
The Board discussed the qualities of these two candidates
Motion by Werner, second by Dolezal to appoint Megan Thiessen for the upcoming District 3 position on the Board. Ayes: Lekin, Dolezal, Tyynismaa, and Werner. Nays: Wiese. The motion carried. Oath of Office will be taken at the next Board meeting.
Motion by Werner, second by Wiese to approve the long term investments options presented for STC’s current bond proceeds being held at Lincoln Savings Bank. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve Change Order Number 002 and 003, in the amount of -$16,230.13 and $84,590.00 respectively, for the Middle School project. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the invoice from Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, in the amount of $10,588.00, for the Architectural Plan Review. Ayes: Lekin, Dolezal, Tynnismaa, and Wiese Nays: Werner. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Werner to approve a $15.00 per month cell phone stipend for the Assistant Business Manager, Accounting Generalist, and Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent positions. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the Community Eligibility Provisions monthly federal reimbursement program for the Elementary and Partnership. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Werner to approve the one-year quote from Lexia Learning Systems, in the amount of $10,500.00, for the Lexia Core5 Reading/PowerUp Literacy Unlimited School Subscription renewal. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the Assured Partners invoice, in the amount of $24,000.00, for the 2023-2024 service fee. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Werner to approve the Doors Inc. quote, in the amount of $12,989.00, for a door for the Little Theater. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the Garling Construction application and certificate for payment, in the amount of $732,576.54, for pay application 02. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the 2023-2024 Board meeting dates as presented with the omission of July 3, 2023. Board meetings will resume on the first and third Monday of every month. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Werner to approve the first reading of Board Policy 401.07 (formerly known as 404.03): Employee Travel Compensation. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain gave an update on the Middle School. Trees have been removed at the new Middle School site. Bid package #2 is in progress and the public notice has been published.
Superintendent Cain shared the SIAC goals and what strategic anchor each focus area is meeting. Ultimately, the Board goal is to collaboratively provide each group with one or two goals for next year.
Mrs. Mathern spoke to the Board about the need for a new band trailer and discussed different financial options. The Board would like to see other methods of financing this purchase be pursued.
Superintendent Cain reviewed the updates/changes on the following 2023 - 2024 handbooks: Elementary, Middle School, High School, Partnership, Activities, Certified, and Substitute. Mr. Cain asked the Board to look over these handbooks before the next Board meeting, as it will be brought back as an action item.
Principal Boley reviewed the current graduation requirements and presented different ideas on increasing these requirements.
It has been requested to use the Trojan logo on the Tama fire trucks. The Board is okay with this use of the Trojan logo.
The Administrative Board Retreat will be on August 8, 2023 from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Safe Track team demonstrated how the safety application works. A proposal will be brought to the Board at the July 17th meeting.
Principal Adams and Principal Bolen gave an end of the year report on the Middle School. The Middle School had 426 students attending. The Middle School had a 93.76% average daily attendance this year. Ninety-one percent of students had fewer than two referrals. Seventy-two percent of the 7th grade students participated in school-sponsored activities, while 78% of 8th grade students participated in school-sponsored activities. The emphasis on not allowing cell phone use at school went very well.
Principal Boley gave an end of the year report on the High School. The enrollment at the high school was 469 students. One hundred eleven students graduated, including three from the Partnership Center. Thirty-six percent of students at the High School and Partnership Center were present 95% of the time. This includes all absences. 383 of 483 students were involved in at least one school-sponsored activity in the year. 97 of 111 seniors who graduated completed at least one college application.
The Board reviewed Personnel openings as of June 16, 2023.
Superintendent Cain reported the Board/Administration book study will pick back up in August. A new Middle School updated timeline was reviewed with the Board. A public hearing will be held at the July 17th Board meeting and on July 18, 2023 the pre-bid contractors meeting will be held. School Resource Officer interviews will be held soon. The administrative team worked at the Tama County Food Bank this past week. It was a great experience and opportunity for the community. Mr. Cain is working on converting STC’s Strategic Plan into a “one-pager”. This can be used in many ways this coming school year.
Mr. Cain presented Penny Tyynismaa with a Lifetime Activity Pass and a cake in appreciation for her time serving on the Board. “Penny Trivia” was played with questions about Penny and her involvement with STC.
Motion by Wiese, second by Dolezal to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:12 p.m.
Mandy Lekin, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary