REGULAR AND 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 May 20, 2024 for a regular session at the Elementary School, Tama, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. with some members of the community attending electronically through Google Hangouts.
On call of the roll the following were present: Elizabeth Dolezal, Jackie Ellenbecker, and Rick Hopper. Absent: Megan Thiessen. Quorum Present. Beth Wiese joined the meeting at 5:02 p.m. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dixie Forcht, Rob Boley, Kris Collins, Brad Schweppe, Sam Peska, Ben Adams, Steve McAdoo, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the May 6, 2024 regular and work session minutes, bills for payment, the Mid-Iowa Community Action, Inc. Memorandum of Understanding, and acceptance of the Darling Ingredients donation of $3,000, for the high school sound system. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - Dixie Forcht thanked the School Board and staff for showing up to the graduation ceremony and putting the time and effort into supporting the students. This makes it special for the students.
Mr. Schweppe gave the Board an Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) data update.
Sam Peska presented the District Developed Service Delivery Plan (DDSDP) to the Board and also updated the Board on student services and district data.
Mr. Adams gave a report on behalf of the Wellness Committee. This committee is geared towards supporting people in need. This coming year, the Wellness Committee is looking at hosting a basketball fundraiser.
Mr. Schweppe gave a report on behalf of the Safety Committee. He gave a shout out to the community on participation with this committee. This committee has worked on the consistency with wording and terminology for safety procedures across the district.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper, to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Kristen Waltemyer - 5th Grade Teacher, Laura Ridout - High School Special Education Teacher, Rachel Asche - Elementary Art Teacher, Kelly Thompson - Middle School Art Teacher, Logan Arp - Assistant High School Girls Wrestling Coach, Stephanie Taylor - Wrestling Cheerleading Coach, Seth Koch - Baseball Grounds Keeper, Seth Jawitz - High School Special Education Teacher, Maci Fritz - Assistant 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, Justin Gates - Assistant Middle School Baseball Coach, and Jenny Schlabaugh - Elementary Family Liaison
Resignations: Rollanda Puentes - Elementary ELL Paraeducator, Tiffany Fouts - Part-time Elementary Special Education Paraeducator, Ashley Raue - 8th Grade Girls Head Track Coach, Samantha Behounek - Middle School Special Education Paraeducator, and Stephanie Lane - Graphic Designer
Officials: High School Baseball - Tim Odle, Dylan Longley, Pete Hansen, Blake Buhr, Adam Foreman, Dave Nitz, Joshua Baxter, Trent Powers, Anthony McClendon, Bill Yuska, David Shemanski, Daniel Hawkins and High School Softball - Dave Mohr, Daniel Miller, John Hopkins, Tim Vandenberg, Julie Foglesong, Myron Jack, Jed Hammen, Justin Wells, Brian Hazelton, Eric Gilson, Keith Rath, Andy Versendaal, Justin Hadsall, Steve Conrad, Richard Sebring, Mike Spurlin, Mike Vint, Daniel Schriever, and John Yates
Transfer: Leticia Babinat from Middle School Interventionist to Middle School Special Education Teacher, Cami Vajgrt from 6th Grade Math Teacher to 5th Grade Teacher, and Bailey Chyma from 5th Grade Teacher to 6th Grade Math Teacher
Instructional Coaches - Joy Schirmer, Seth Koch, and Kathy Wilkerson
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the updated TLC positions. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the change in the 2024-2025 School Board meeting dates to the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the 5-Year PPEL/SAVE Plan as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Scharnweber bid, in the amount of $9,000.00, for replacing the air conditioning unit for the data room closet at the high school. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve the Stein-Hrabak Flooring estimate, in the amount of $75,820.79, to replace the carpet in the 1st and 2nd grade pods. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Iowa Audio estimate, in the amount of $48,306.49, for a new sound system for the high school gym. Donations received will be applied towards this purchase as well. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Scharnweber bid, in the amount of $27,650.00, to replace two water heaters at the elementary building. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve $15,000.00 towards concrete work at the elementary school through JRF Concrete. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the resolution directing the advertisement for sale of not to exceed $5,000,000 general obligation school bonds series 2024, approving electronic bidding procedures and approving official statement. Ayes: Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, and Hopper Nays: None The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve the Garling Construction change order request #0050, in the amount of $12,136.70, for electrical changes. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Garling Construction change order request #0064, in the amount of $8,215.14, to upsize the transfer ducts. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the Garling Construction change order requests #0066 and #0068, in the amounts of $6,945.18 and $38,459.68 respectively, for architectural and electrical changes. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine quote, in the amount of $14,998.00, for two custom book vending machines. This will be paid for out of the “Beyond the Bell” Grant. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the 95 Percent Group quote, in the amount of $5,042.40, for phonics products. This will be paid for out of the “Beyond the Bell” Grant. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Ellenbecker to approve the CDW-G quote, in the amount of $13,420.00, for Chromebook cases. This will be paid for out of ESSER 3 funds. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Kajeet quote, in the amount of $6,165.83, for 25 SmartSpot renewals. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the interventionist and liaison alignment as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the first reading of the following policies: 202.05 - Student School Board Representatives (new), 209.07 - Review of Administrative Regulations (FKA 205.08), 210.01 - Annual Meeting (FKA 207.01), 210.02 - Regular Meeting (FKA 207.03), 210.03 - Special Meeting (FKA 207.04), 210.04 - Work Session (FKA 207.06), 210.06 - Quorum (FKA 207.06), 210.07 - Rules of Order, 210.07 R1 - Rules of Order (FKA 207.12), 210.08 - Board Meeting Agenda (FKA 207.13), 210.08E1 - Board Meeting Agenda - Example (new), 210.08E2 - Board Meeting Agenda - Example (with closed session) (new), 210.09 - Consent Agenda (FKA 207.13), 211 - Open Meetings (new), 212 - Closed Sessions (FKA 207.07), and 212.01 - Exempt Meetings (FKA 207.08). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to approve the second reading of the following policies: 205 - Board Member Liability (FKA 204.03), 206.01 - President (FKA 203.01), 206.02 - Vice President (FKA 203.02), 206.03 - Secretary (FKA 203.03), 206.04 - Treasurer (FKA 203.02), 207 - Board of Directors’ Legal Counsel (FKA 206.04), 208 - Ad Hoc Committees (206.03), 208 E1 - Ad Hoc Committees - Exhibit (new), 209.1 - Development of Policy (FKA 205.02), 209.02 - Adoption of Policy (FKA 205.03), 209.03 - Dissemination of Policy (FKA 205.05), 209.04 - Suspension of Policy (FKA 205.04), 209.05 - Administration in the Absence of Policy (FKA 205.06), 209.06 - Review and Revision of Policy (FKA 205.07). All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board reviewed the current Iowa Works postings.
Superintendent Cain reported South Tama’s request to join the NICL Conference was denied.
Superintendent Cain reviewed the updated Extra Curricular Schedule with the Board. This was previously approved at the May 6, 2024 meeting under the knowledge that a few changes may be made. Those changes were made after having conversations with the individuals impacted.
Superintendent Cain reported the middle school project continues to move along in a good direction. There will be four tours on May 29th for staff.
Superintendent Cain thanked Dixie Forcht and the high school team for the graduation ceremony being such a great event. There were great speeches by students and staff. Last day of school is May 29th. The retirement brunch will be on May 30th at 9:00 a.m. All contracts are due back to the administration office by May 31, 2024. A video clip from Iowa Decision Week highlighted some of the South Tama 2024 graduates. The District was featured on May 13th. The District Office will be open to the public Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the summer. Fridays will be closed to the public but available for scheduled appointments only.
The Board took a seven minute recess.
Motion by Wiese, second by Ellenbecker to enter into Closed Session at 7:23 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) 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 Hopper, second by Wiese to come out of closed session at 7:47 p.m.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve the superintendent contract for three years, beginning 2024-2025. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary