PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR 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 7, 2022 for a Public Hearing on the 2022-2023 School Calendar 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: Mandy Lekin, Penny Tyynismaa, Clint Werner, Elizabeth Dolezal, and Beth Wiese. Absent: None. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith, Board Secretary Randy Denham and several members of the community.
Motion by Dolezal second by Tyynismaa to approve the agenda. All Ayes.
Public Hearing – 2022-2023 School Calendar: President Lekin opened the Public Hearing for 2022-2023 School Calendar at 5:00 p.m. President Lekin asked for public comments. Hearing none, President Lekin asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to close the Public Hearing at 5:01 p.m. All Ayes.
The Regular Session was called to order at 5:01 p.m.
On call of the roll the following were present: Mandy Lekin, Penny Tyynismaa, Clint Werner, Elizabeth Dolezal, Beth Wiese. Members Absent - None. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent Dr. Jared Smith, Board Secretary Randy Denham, Middle School Principal Ben Adams, Roger Wilcox from Grundmeyer Leader Services, and several members of the community.
President Lekin requested to move the Superintendent Stakeholder survey results up to the top of the agenda. Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Werner to approve the agenda with the changes as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Roger Wilcox from Grundmeyer Leader Services reviewed the Superintendent Search Stakeholder Survey results with the Board. Mr. Wilcox presented information to the Board on next steps in the Superintendent search process.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the following consent agenda items: Minutes from the February 17, 2022 work session and February 22, 2022 regular meeting; Bills for payment as presented; AEA Purchasing agreement for the 2022-2023 school year; and a student teaching agreement with the University of Northern Iowa for the 2022-2023 school year. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comments – Marilyn Rippy, Luis Avalos, Itzel Herrera, Eric Rosario, Riley Grimes, and Allison Graham separately addressed the Board about a recent poem performance that was done at a high school pep rally. Each of the individuals expressed their support of the performance and shared their thoughts about the importance of the poem reflecting some of the issues that they face in their everyday lives.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Resignations: Lon Wilkerson – 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach; Heather Keen – Special Ed Para; Matthew Beatty – Elementary ELL Teacher, Middle School Football, and Middle School Girls Track
New Hires: Margarita Moreno – Elementary Food Service
Volunteers: Nathan Doran – High School Track
Officials: David Lee – Cross Country
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the 2022-2023 School Calendar as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Dr. Smith and Middle School principal Ben Adams presented a plan to realign Middle School TAG and Writing positions. The plan will involve splitting the current Middle School TAG and Writing position into two separate positions. Some duties will be realigned to an Interventionist position and an open Para position will not be replaced to open up for the new Writing position. Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the realignment of the Middle School TAG and Writing positions as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Dr. Smith and Mr. Denham presented the District’s plan to pay a $1,000 retention bonus and two days of hazard pay to all staff in good standing utilizing the District’s ESSER funds. Mr. Denham explained that the $1,000 retention bonus would be for all staff that do not qualify for the $1,000 retention bonus plan. Mr. Denham explained that the total cost to the District for the $1,000 retention bonus and the two days of hazard pay would be roughly $256,000. The $1,000 retention bonus will be paid on the March payroll and the two days of hazard pay will be paid on the April payroll. Motion by Wiese, second by Werner to approve the use of District ESSER funds for a $1,000 retention bonus and two days of hazard pay as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve a resolution to set a public hearing for March 21, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. at the Elementary on the proposed issuance of approximately $16,500,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services, and Use Tax Revenue and Refunding Bonds. All Ayes: The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the engagement letter with Piper Sandler for the issuance of Sales Tax Bonds. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the contract with Piper Sandler for the issuance of General Obligation Bonds. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Tyynismaa to approve the first reading of the following Board Policies: 505.8 Parental Involvement; 505.8R1 Parent and Family Engagement Regulation; 600 Goals and Objectives Educational Program; 601.1 School Calendar. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the second and final reading of the following Board Policies: 406.4 Licensed Employee Compensation for Extra Duty; 409.1 Employee Vacation & Holidays; 412.1 Classified Employee Compensation; 501.5 Attendance Center Assignment; 505.5 Graduation Requirements. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Dr. Smith asked the Board if they would like to continue to have COVID/Vaccine update as a standing discussion item for Board meetings. The Board stated that this topic can be removed and will only bring back going forward if necessary.
Mr. Denham presented the canvas of votes for the March 1 Middle School Project Bond Election. Mr. Denham reported that the measure passed with 83% approval. Dr. Smith provided an update on the architect RFP process.
Mr. Denham provided an updated timeline of the Superintendent Search process. The Board will meet in a special closed session on March 10 to begin looking through the applications.
President Lekin thanked everyone in attendance for their comments earlier in the meeting. The Board expressed their support of the students to keep doing what they are doing. The Board also explained that they are listening to both sides of the issue and are taking the necessary steps to seriously look into any complaints and concerns that are brought forth. Dr. Smith provided an update to the Board on the steps the District has taken to respond to the recent concerns of the speech performance at the high school. Dr. Smith shared that the District had met with legal counsel and it had been determined that no policies or rules had been broken by the speech performance. Dr. Smith shared with the Board checks and balances that will be put in place moving forward with any performance that may be considered controversial or uncomfortable for students and staff. The Board expressed their desire to continue to support extracurricular activities as long as students stay within the guidelines set forth by rules and policies. The Board spoke about the importance of differentiating that some extracurricular activities do not have as strict of limitations as classroom activities. The Board stated that if students are being pressured or harassed that they hope those students will bring that to the attention of staff so that it can be properly addressed.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 p.m. All Ayes.
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Mandy Lekin, Board President Randy Denham, Board Secretary