REGULAR SESSION
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE
The Board of Directors of the Community School District of South Tama County met in Regular Session on October 18, 2021 at the Elementary School, 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: Penny Tyynismaa, Mandy Lekin, Clint Werner, and Ronald Houghton. Absent: Alan Kline. Quorum Present. Also present were: Jared Smith, Randy Denham, Elizabeth Dolezal, Larry Fletcher, and several members of the community.
Motion by Lekin, second by Werner to approve the agenda. All Ayes.
Motion by Lekin, second by Werner to approve the following consent agenda items: Minutes from the October 4, 2021 public hearing and regular meeting; Bills for payment as presented; and Monthly Financial Reports. All Ayes.
Public Comments – None.
Emily Chyma provided an update to the Board on upcoming Student Council activities. Ms. Chyma stated that some Student Council members would be attending the upcoming state convention and that Elizabeth Albright and Carly Mathes-Henly would be singing the National Anthem at the convention. Ms. Chyma stated that there would be a Trunk or Treat in the High School parking lot on October 30th and that Student Council would be hosting a blood drive on November 10th. Student Council members recently met with administrators to discuss and work through issues. Ms. Chyma stated that this was a positive discussion and students were happy to have their voices heard.
Motion by Lekin, second by Houghton to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes.
New Hires – Dale Cruikshank – MS Assistant Wrestling Coach; Anita Townsley – Teacher Mentor; George Kuhter – HS Head Boys Golf Coach.
After School Program Coordinators: Amy Wyatt and Leticia Babinat
After School Program Teachers: Dawn Henley, Haley Wilson, Alice Koch, Melody Cole, Janelle Unkrich, Melissa Jesina, Matthew Beatty, Teresa Hofer, Kelsea Anderson, Amy Parizek, Molly Ramirez, Regina Gill, Elizabeth Weitzell, Michelle Wiegand, Carla Coates, Ashley Steven, Morgan McFate, Megan Brown, Sarah Klopping, Nicole Hitchcock, Mariah Snyder, Levi Klopping, George Kuhter, Chelsea Ahrens, Angela Bair, Michelle Bradley, Emily Chyma, Denise Danker, Rachael Davis, Victoria Hamilton, Daniel Kass, Jill Kienzle, Daniel Mayo, Joseph Miller, Miranda Moen, Katherine Murphy, Delonda Pushetonequa, Audrey Roth, Andrea Rutledge, Noah Schmelzer, Sandra Tracy, Robert Tyynismaa, Alison Vavra, Nicholas Vesley, Patricia Vincent, Amy Wade, Deanna Zmolek
After School Program Paraeducators: Trudy Suchanek, Jorena Vavra, Melinda Martens, Tracy Glockl, Marie Mann, Sarah Novotny, and Elizabeth Placencia.
Volunteers – Gustavo Chavarria – HS Gamers Night
Officials – Tessa Matherly – MS 7th Grade Volleyball, John Bartello – MS Wrestling, Bryan Foster – MS Wrestling, Brandon Dufoe – MS Wrestling, Patrick Kopsa – MS Wrestling, Ben Marshall – MS Wrestling, Dan Loughry – MS Wrestling, Jeremy Weiermann – Girls 7th Grade Basketball, Tom Kemper – Girls 7th & 8th Grade Basketball, James Hall – Girls 7th & 8th Grade Basketball, Robert Averill – Girls 7th & 8th Grade Basketball, David Nitz – Girls 7th & 8th Grade Basketball, Dan Rhine – HS Varsity Girls Volleyball, Dennis Dirks – HS 9th Grade Volleyball, Donald Anderson – HS 9th Grade Volleyball, Deidra Mohr – HS Varsity Girls Volleyball, Tiffany Thiessen – HS 9th & Varsity Volleyball, Gregory Davies – HS 9th & Varsity Volleyball
Motion by Houghton, second by Werner to approve the 2021-2022 STC Activities Overnight Trips as presented. All Ayes
Motion by Lekin, second by Houghton to approve the revised changes to Board Policy 401.7R1 Early Retirement Incentives as presented. All Ayes.
Motion by Houghton, second by Werner to approve the Early Retirement incentive of $7,800 a year for five years. All Ayes.
Motion by Houghton, second by Lekin to approve the donation of one old school bus to the Tama Fire Department and old school bus to the Toledo Fire Department to be used for local training exercises. All Ayes.
Motion by Lekin, second by Houghton to approve the resolution authorizing the Board President, Superintendent, or Board Secretary to open a stock account with the State Bank of Toledo. All Ayes.
Dr. Smith provided a COVID update to the Board. Dr. Smith shared the most recent COVID Dashboard numbers with the Board and provided an update on recent meetings he has had with staff members.
Dr. Smith stated the IASB annual convention will be occurring on November 17th and 18th. Dr. Smith asked the Board to contact the administrative if they would like to register and attend the conference. Dr. Smith and the Board discussed different options for having a work session for new Board orientation sometime after the November 2nd election.
Elizabeth Dolezal and Larry Fletcher from the Middle School Task force provided an update to the Board on the Middle School project. Ms. Dolezal and Mr. Fletcher gave a recap of what has occurred during the Task Force meetings over the last 4-5 months. Mr. Fletcher stated that the Task Force has narrowed the Middle School project down to two designs. Mr. Fletcher and Ms. Dolezal stated the State is interested in incentivizing the use of the Juvenile Home property. There was discussion around the Juvenile Home property and what amount would be needed from the State to make the Juvenile Home property a viable option. The Task Force is working to compromise and come up with a plan that everyone can agree on and present to the Board and the Community. The Task Force also asked for more clarity and direction from the Board for this Middle School project. The Task Force Representatives and the Board discussed the current contract situations with the Middle School project Construction Manager and Architect. The Board and the Task Force members discussed having a joint work session at the next Board meeting on November 1st.
Motion by Lekin, second by Werner to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 p.m. All Ayes.
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Penny Tyynismaa, Board President Randy Denham, Board Secretary