REGULAR & CLOSED SESSION
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 on March 4, 2024 in Regular Session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 5:00 p.m.
On call of the roll the following were present: Elizabeth Dolezal, Beth Wiese, Jackie Ellenbecker, Rick Hopper, and Megan Thiessen. Absent: None Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Sam Peska, Paula Graves, Missy Jesina, Joy Schirmer, Victoria Hamilton, Chelsea Ahrens, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the February 15, 2024 community meeting, minutes from the February 18, 2024 community meeting, minutes from the February 20, 2024 regular meeting, minutes from the February 25, 2024 community meeting, bills for payment; East Marshall Inter-Agency Contract, and AEA Purchasing Cooperative Purchasing Agreement. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - Joy Schirmer expressed the need for the interventionist at the elementary and suggested not rushing into a transitional kindergarten program.
Sam Peska, along with Paula Graves, Missy Jesina, and Victoria Hamilton, presented on the District’s curriculum for literacy and math.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker, to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Alexandria Ramirez Houseman - K-4 ELL Paraeducator, Kimberly Meek - Elementary Special Education Paraeducator, Jay Hoskey - Assistant Varsity Football Coach, Phoebe Osgood - K-4 General Music Teacher, and Ashlynne Roberts - Elementary Special Education Paraeducator
Officials: HS Soccer - Cameron Cantrall, Jeffery Blanchard, Tyler Strickler, Chris Weber, Dustin Hughson, Andrew Shivers, Andy Chase, David Abkemeier, Terence Moriarty, Emily Phillips, Greg Cruikshank, Kyle Clark, Theron Hitchman, Robert Scranton, Steve Vermeer, Bryan Foster, Mark McFate, Ibrahim Sabanagic, Miodrag Milosavljevic, Brian Hall, Paul Keller, Christopher Reichert, Mark Odor, Sawyer Loger, Phil Watson, Phillip John Even, Daniel Stuber, Nicholas Wenthe; Track Meet Starter - David Lee; and Speech Judge - Gina Miller
Transfers: Cody Taylor - from high school custodian to high school head custodian, Donnie Gitautis - from middle school custodian to head middle school custodian, and Karl Moeller - from split elementary/high school custodian
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the two additional high school fundraisers: FFA Egg My Yard and Track 5K Fun Run & Meal. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the transfer of $2,279.20 from general fund to activity fund for safety equipment (helmets). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the SU Insurance Invoice, in the amount of $43,748.50, for the break/fix insurance premium installment. This will be paid out of the management fund. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Frontline Education renewal notice, in the amount of $21,200.27, for the District’s absence & time solution program. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve the Garling Construction pay application 06, in the amount of $2,097,848.90, for construction services at the new middle school. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese , second by Hopper to set the public hearing for the 2024-2025 for March 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Iowa Valley Community College invoice, in the amount of $76,309.25 (career academy - $16,360.00 and contracted - $59,949.25), for the fall 2023 semester. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve the JRF Concrete invoice, in the amount of $5,000.00, for two storm sewer intakes to be rebuilt and repair the broken asphalt in front of both intakes at the high school. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the third and final reading of policy 804.05 E1: Parental Authorization and Release form for the Administration of a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board reviewed the current Iowa Works postings.
Chelsea Ahrens and the Board briefly discussed the District’s participation in the WAMAC Conference.
Mr. Cain discussed with the Board a Curriculum Director position and operational sharing and what that would/could look like for the District.
Mr. Cain reported he toured the new middle school recently looking for free space for possible movement in the District.
Mr. Cain informed the Board he and Katie Mathern met with a company to find more information about solar energy usage for the District and how that could possibly save money for the District. In addition, they have met with an organization about a natural gas risk pool and learned how that program can also provide a savings for the District. There will be more discussion in regards to this at the April 2nd Board meeting. Mr. Cain reminded everyone to go out and vote on March 5th for PPEL.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to enter into Closed Session at 7:24 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) of the open meeting law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. All Ayes.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to come out of closed session at 8:38 p.m.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary