SPECIAL 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 April 27, 2022 for a Special Session 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, John Cain, and several staff and community members.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
President Lekin opened the meeting asking if there was anyone in attendance that wished to provide feedback on the open Assistant High School Principal/Activities Director position.
George Kuhter addressed the Board stating that he feels the Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director should be split into two separate full-time positions.
Deanna Zmolek read a letter to the Board that was signed by several high school staff members supporting the split of the Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director into two separate positions.
Middle School Principal addressed the Board with his support of splitting the Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director into two separate positions. Mr. Adams stated that he would like to see Scott Bolen maintain the current Middle School Activities Director duties that he currently has.
Middle School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Scott Bolen addressed the Board and echoed his support of what the others have said. Mr. Bolen shared his support of splitting the Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director into two separate positions. Mr. Bolen stated that he is very passionate about what he does at the Middle School and would like to see continued support from the new Activities Director.
Chelsea Ahrens addressed the Board and echoed her support of what others have said. Ms. Ahrens stated she has been the Assistant Activities Director the last two years and commended the individuals who have done the position over the years as she knows how difficult the position can be. Ms. Ahrens thanked the Board for their attention to this matter and for their willingness to listen to everyone’s feedback. Ms. Ahrens stated that she would like to see Mr. Bolen continue to be included in Middle School Activities.
Incoming Superintendent John Cain thanked everyone for sharing their passion and insight on this topic. Mr. Cain stated that during his conversations thus far with staff he thinks there is a clear need for an Assistant Principal at the High School and that the need for an Activities Director is as equally important. Mr. Cain expressed his support in looking for a full time Assistant Principal and a full time Activities Director.
Dr. Smith reviewed with the Board that when the Assistant High School Principal/Activities Director was last filled that the District stated they would give it two years and then reevaluate to see where the needs were at and if there were changes that needed to be made. Dr. Smith stated that at this point he feels it would be a good move to split the High School Assistant Principal and Activities Director into two separate positions due to the addition of several activities and the needs of students coming out of COVID.
The Board discussed several options with how to move forward with and structure the positions. The Board discussed what duties would look like with splitting the Assistant Principal and Activities Director into two sperate positions and if the District could afford it. Mr. Denham confirmed that splitting Assistant Principal and Activities Director into two separate positions could fit into the budget. The Board discussed making a decision that would be the most beneficial to students.
Mr. Cain shared with the Board that if the Activities Director were to be split into a separate full-time position that it would have a K-12 focus and the position would work with local community youth programs to provide supports and opportunities for those students. The Board stated that the Assistant Activities Director duties would be absorbed into the full time Activities Director position if they were to move forward with splitting the positions.
Motion by Wiese, second by Dolezal to split the Assistant High School Principal and Activities Director into two separate full-time positions. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Tyynismaa to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. All Ayes.
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Mandy Lekin, Board President Randy Denham, Board Secretary