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 October 3, 2022 for a Regular Session at the Partnership Center, 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, and Beth Wiese. Absent: Elizabeth Dolezal. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Randy Denham, Buildings and Grounds Director Steve McAdoo, Middle School Principal Ben Adams, Nathan Compton and Art Baumgartmer from ISG Architects, Matt Zmolek, Paula Graves, and Charlotte Upah from the Middle School Task Force, Marilyn Rippy, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the agenda as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the following consent agenda items: Minutes from the September 19, 2022 regular session; bills for payment and financial statements as presented; and an agreement with Americorps Iowa for the 2022-2023 College Access and Success Americorps Program.
Public Comments – Dixie Forcht provided comments and feedback on the Board Policies that were on the agenda for first readings to the Board.
Board member Dolezal arrived at 5:04 p.m.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Resignations: Randy Denham – Director of Finance/Board Secretary effective 11/1/22
New Hires: Travis McBride – Head 8th Grade Boys Track Coach; Craig Harrison – HS Social Studies Teacher
Stipend for Kimi Benson for Fall Dance Season
Officials: Girls Basketball – David Nitz, Kory Staff, Tom Kemper, and Eugen Ubben; Boys Wrestling – Patrick Kopsa, Brandone Dufoe, Bryan Foster, and John Bartello.
Motion by Wiese, second by Werner to approve an overnight student trip for the TRIO program as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Tyynismaa to approve the first reading of the following Board Policies: 602.01 Curriculum Development; 602.02 Curriculum Implementation; 602.03 Curriculum Evaluation; 605.01 Instructional Materials Selection; 605.01 R1 Instructional Materials Selection Regulation; 605.02 Instructional Materials Inspection; 605.03 Objection to Instructional Materials; 605.03 R1 Objection to Instructional Materials – Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation; 605.03 E1 Objection to Instructional Materials – Instructions to Reconsideration Committee; 605.03 E2 Objection to Instructional Materials – Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Request Form; 605.03 E4 Objection to Instructional Materials – Request to Prohibit a Student from Checking Out Specific Library Materials.
Mr. Cain shared a document with the Board with a list of individuals who have signed up for Committees. Mr. Cain asked the Board to be looking at which committees they would like to be signed up for. Board members will be formally appointed to Committees at a future meeting. Mr. Cain stated that some of the Committees will start meeting in the near future due to the needs of the District.
Director of Finance Randy Denham reviewed the 2021-2022 fiscal year end statements with the Board.
Mr. Cain gave his Superintendent’s Report to the Board on the following items: Continue to look into options for the School Resource Officer; After School Program for Elementary and Middle School is scheduled to start next week; IASB Convention coming up in November; Homecoming week has kicked off; Will work with the Administrative team to come up with incentives for staff who are helping cover classes as well as incentives for attendance; Preliminary certified enrollment numbers currently show little to no change; Will look to interview candidates for the Director of Finance position October 10 and 11; STC Class of 75 alum Jon Lazar will be inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame joining fellow STC Class of 72 alum Mark Fetter.
Mr. Cain shared an email received from the District’s bond counsel stating outlining that the property for the Iowa Juvenile Home must be transferred completely over to the District before the District is able to move forward with securing bond financing for the project. The property is anticipated to transfer from the State over to the City of Toledo sometime around mid-November. The property will then be transferred over to the District. That process is expected to take 30-60 days to complete.
ISG Architects shared schematic designs for the Middle School Project with the Board and members of the Middle School Task Force who were present. The Board and the Task Force then discussed the designs that were shared.
The Board took a short break at 7:10 p.m. prior to entering into closed session.
Motion by Wiese, second by Werner to go into closed session at 7:18 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) of the open meeting law to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to come out of closed session at 7:34 p.m.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Wiese to approve the settlement of the litigation matter that was discussed during closed session. Roll Call Vote: Lekin – Aye, Tyynismaa – Aye, Werner – Aye, Dolezal – Aye, Wiese – Aye. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. All Ayes.
Mandy Lekin, Board President
Randy Denham, Board Secretary