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 June 22, 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, Joe Hanus, Danya Keahna, and Megan Thiessen. Quorum present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dixie Forcht, Jonathan Meyer, Emily Chyma, Morgan McFate, Gerald Husak, Cheryl Husak, Michael Avis, Jill Kienzle, Joy Schirmer, Max Schirmer, Chelsea Ahrens, Sarah Novotny, Ben Adams, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the agenda with the tabling of second readings of Policy 713 - Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking (new) and Policy 713 R1 - Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking - Regulation. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Forum - Joy and Max Schirmer, Morgan McFate, and Emily Chyma spoke in support of hiring a full-time athletic trainer, emphasizing athlete safety, injury prevention, timely medical care, communication with families, and reducing medical responsibilities placed on coaches.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the consent agenda as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Staff presented a proposal for a school-based enterprise coffee shop to provide students with work-based learning opportunities and career skill development. Two options were reviewed: a separate coffee shop/concession space estimated at $53,020 or a shared space estimated at $25,410.
The Board reviewed the proposed updates to the Preschool, Elementary/Middle/High School, Certified, Classified, and Student-Parent Activities handbooks. Administration noted that only minor revisions were made and that the drafts would be shared with staff for additional feedback prior to consideration for approval at the July Board meeting.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on the appointment process for the District Director #3 vacancy, reminded Board members of the upcoming Board/Administration Workshops, and shared information regarding HF 2591, including proposed emergency rules allowing eligible eighth-grade students to participate in varsity athletics beginning with the 2026-27 school year, with participation and academic eligibility to be determined by local board policy.
One interested candidate, Michael Avis, was given the opportunity to answer three questions in front of the STC Board of Education to fill the District 3 vacancy on the Board. He was asked the following questions: Tell us about yourself and your desire to serve on the board. What are a couple of important issues facing our District? What are a couple of points of pride you have regarding our district?
District staffing numbers were shared for the past five school years at the request of Board members and noted that additional building-level staffing information is being gathered for discussion at upcoming building administrator meetings.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Ashlynn Graff - ELL Teacher, Leslie Keller - Assistant Cross Country Coach, Tyler Fulks - Esports Sponsor, and Haleigh Hempen - Preschool Teacher
Resignations: Laura Ridout - High School Head Girls Basketball Coach and Ryan Ridout - High School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach
Transfers: Dave Cantonwine from Middle School Special Education Paraeducator to High School Special Education Paraeducator and Tiffany Duggan from High School Custodian to District Custodial/Print Shop/Delivery
Officials: Middle School Baseball - Eugene Ubben, Tiffany Thiessen, and Cameron Birch
TLC Contracts: Stacy Moore - Special Education Lead, Kristee McGrew - Elementary PLC Lead, and Phoebe Osgood - Elementary BLT Lead
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the Athletic Trainer position. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to approve having the separate Coffee Shop and Concessions Stand for $53,020. Ayes: Hopper, Hanus, Keahna, and Thiessen. Nays: Dolezal. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the LiquiGrow invoice, in the amount of $12,733.70, for crop fertilizer and herbicide application. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Thiessen to appoint Michael Avis to fill the Director District 3 vacancy effective July 1, 2026, for the remainder of the unexpired term as provided by law. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to authorize the Business Office to pay additional vendor payments during June 2026 and July 2026, as are due and payable prior to the fiscal year end. In addition, the Business Office will have the Board President review any checks cut prior to the July 20th Board meeting before being sent out. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the Solution Tree Purchase Agreement, in the amount of $7,100.00, for Professional Development Services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Keahna to approve the second readings of the following policies: 711.08 - Transportation in Inclement Weather (FKA 702.02), 711.09 - District Vehicle Idling (FKA 702.05), 711.10 - School Bus Passenger Restraints (FKA 702.06), 712 - Technology and Data Security (new), and 712 R1 - Technology and Data Security - Security Requirements of Third-Party Vendors Regulation (new). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the third readings of the following policies: 704.06 R1 - Fundraising Within the District - Regulation, 705.03 - Payment for Goods and Services, 706.01 - Payroll Periods, 706.02 - Payroll Deductions, 706.03 - Reduction in Employee Pay, 706.03 R1 - Reduction in Employee Pay - Regulation, 707.01 - Presentation and Publication of Financial Information, 707.05 - Internal Controls, 707.06 - Audit Committee, 709 - Insurance Program, 710.02 - Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility, 710.03 - Vending Machines, 711.01 - Student School Transportation Eligibility, 711.02 - Student Conduct on School Transportation, 711.02 R1 - Student Conduct on School Transportation - Regulation, 711.03 - Student Transportation for Extracurricular Activities, 711.04 - Summer School Program Transportation Service, 711.05 - Transportation of Nonresident and Nonpublic School Students, 711.06 - Transportation of Nonschool Groups, and 711.07 - School Bus Safety Instruction. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the third reading of policy 604.06 - Instruction at a Post-Secondary Education Institution (new) for a third reading. All Ayes. The motion carried
Superintendent Cain shared updates on upcoming events and community activities within the district.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 5: 00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama, IA.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary