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 11, 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, and Danya Keahna. Joe Hanus and Megan Thiessen were absent. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Ben Adams, Dixie Forcht, Steve McAdoo, Chelsea Ahrens, Justin Suchanek, Maria Lagunas, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the agenda with moving discussion item #1. Athletic Trainer to presentation item #1. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - None
Motion by Keahna, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: April 27, 2026 Regular Session minutes, bills for payment, iJAG Memorandum of Understanding, Food Service Agreement between Mid Iowa Community Action, Inc. and STC CSD, CI Solutions Quote, donation from South Tama Activity Boosters in the amount of $7,108.00 toward the purchase of two treadmills, and early graduation request from Elvia Villa - May 17, 2026. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Chelsea Ahrens and Ben Adams discussed the option of bringing back a full-time Athletic Trainer position for the district. Discussion included the district being without an athletic trainer since spring 2021 and relying on school nurses, volunteers, coaches, and administration for coverage. Responsibilities, potential scheduling and duties, and comparisons to other WaMaC Conference schools were reviewed. The importance of improving support and safety services for student-athletes was also discussed.
Dixie Forcht provided a presentation on the district’s Thespian program and recent accomplishments. Discussion included continued growth of the program, middle school involvement, participation in Leadership Day and the Iowa Thespian Festival, and student recognition through International Honor Thespian awards and scholarships. Maria Lagunas shared personal experiences regarding confidence, leadership, and opportunities gained through theater. Upcoming productions, including Sweeney Todd this fall, were also discussed.
Board Director #3, Megan Thiessen, has decided to step away from the Board effective July 1. Board members expressed appreciation for her time, leadership, and service to the district and noted they look forward to continuing to work with her through July 1.
Superintendent Cain provided updates regarding News N Notes, the district communication system, board recognition, proposed 2026-2027 board meeting dates, district goals, attendance discussions for 2026-2027, the IASB Summit on Student Success, and the updated middle school punch list. Academic goals for ELA, Math, and Science were also reviewed.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Hayden Morris - Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, Hayden Morris - Assistant Middle School Football Coach, and Sarah Adolphs - Preschool Teacher
Resignations: Emeri Krueger - Jerry Vaske - Route Bus Driver (End of 2025-2026 School Year), Leslie Keller - High School Physical Education Teacher (End of 2025-2026 School Year), Patience Petty - 8th Grade Writing Teacher (End of 2025-2026 School Year), and Jessica Pfantz - Middle School ELL Teacher (End of 2025-2026 School Year)
Transfers: Doug Kaloupek - District Maintenance to Middle School Maintenance/Custodian, Myles Eick - Assistant 7th & 8th Grade Boys Basketball to Head 8th Grade Boys Basketball, Madeline Altenhofen - 4th Grade Teacher to 3rd Grade Teacher, and Ashley Steven - Middle School Math Teacher to High School Math Teacher
Officials: Middle School/High School Baseball/Softball - Mark Felber and Matthew Vogeler; Middle School/High School Baseball - Skylar Hanford, Wade Anderson, William Kiburis, Nick Wilson, Joe Frost, Dan Kopriva, Alan Rahe, Shane Hanford, Dylan Longley, Mark Parker, Dave Nitz, Jose Placencia; Middle School/High School Softball - Keith Hawkins, Daniel Hawkins, Dayn Payne, Julie Fogleson, Gerald Bowhay, Eric Vander Velden, Anthony Fann, Eric Gilson, Michael Fooks, John Yates, Kodi Hillman, Keely Upah; High School WaMaC Art Fair Judge - Melissa Sharer and Rachel Roen; and High School JV Soccer - Khloe Balderas.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the Ames Ford quote, in the amount of $54,931, for a 2026 Ford Expedition as a special education vehicle. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Keahna, second by Hopper to set a Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 calendar change, for Tuesday, May 19th at 7:00 a.m. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the Midwest Alarm Services agreement, in the amount of $24,978.00, for fire alarm inspections for three years. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to table action item #5. iJag invoice. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the Software Unlimited invoice, in the amount of $9,450.00, for accounting software annual fees. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Keahna, second by Hopper to approve the provided list of 2025-2026 graduating seniors that meet the graduation requirements for South Tama County Community School District. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to table action item #8. Board Meetings 26-27 Dates and Times. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the first reading of the following policies: 604.01 - Private Instruction (new), 604.02 - Individualized Instruction, 604.03 - Program Talented and Gifted Students (FKA 602.10), 604.04 - Program for At-Risk Students (new), 604.05 - Religious-Based Exclusion from A School Program (new), 604.06 - Instruction at a Post-Secondary Education Institution (new), 604.07 - Dual Enrollment (new), 604.08 - Foreign Students (new), 604.10 - Online Courses (new), 604.11 - Appropriate Use of Online Learning Platforms (new), 605.03 E1 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials - Instructions to the Reconsideration Committee (revised), 605.03 E2 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials - Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Request Form (revised), 605.03 E4 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials - Request to Prohibit a Student from Checking Out Specific Library Materials (revised), 605.06 E1 - Internet - Appropriate Use - Internet Access Permission Letter to Parents (new), 605.06 E2 - Internet - Appropriate Use - Violation Notice (new), 605.07 - Use of Information Resources (new), 605.08 R1 - Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment - Regulation (new), 606.01 - Class Size - Class Grouping (FKA 606.1), 606.02 - School Ceremonies and Observances (new), 606.03 - Animals in the Classroom (new), 606.04 - Student Production of Materials and Services (FKA 605.08), 606.05 - Student Field Trips and Excursions (FKA 504.08), 606.06 - Insufficient Classroom Space (FKA 606.6), 607.01 - Student Guidance and Counseling Program (FKA 602.09). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to enter Closed Session at 6:34 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 a closed session is necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. Roll call vote: Dolezal, Hopper, and Keahna voting aye. The motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 7:32 p.m.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to enter Closed Session at 7:33 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to discuss the purchase or sale of a particular real estate, but only when premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the board could receive for the property. Roll call vote: Dolezal, Hopper, and Keahna voting aye. The motion carried.
The Board returned to open session at 7:50 p.m.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama, IA.
Motion by Keahna, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary