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 February 21, 2023 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, Elizabeth Dolezal, and Beth Wiese. Quorum Present. Clint Werner was absent. Penny Tyynismaa joined the meeting at 5:10 p.m. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Chelsea Ahrens, Rob Boley, Brad Schweppe, Ben Adams, Steve McAdoo, Dixie Forcht, Marilyn Rippy, Steve Chyma, members of the STC high school girls wrestling team and families, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese, to approve the agenda with the removal of item #6. STC Boys Wrestling, #8. Backpack Program, and action item F. TLC Bid. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the February 6, 2023 regular Board meeting, bills for payment and financial statements as presented, and Waterloo Special Education Agreement. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board recognized the STC high school girls wrestling team and their achievements for the season. Addison Klenk, Autumn Elsbury, Jamy Dolash, Abigail Chyma, and Maeley Elsbury introduced themselves and explained how their season went. Coach Danny Elsbury spoke about the program’s first year and the highlights of the season. He stated how the entire team represented STC extremely well, and he is proud to be their coach.
Steve Chyma was honored by the Board for receiving the 2023 Junior High Coach of the Year. He explained he has been involved with all levels of wrestling for a long time and this is his opportunity to give back. Steve says the STC wrestling program’s future is looking bright.
Brad Schweppe presented Partners in Education plaques to Mandy Lekin for Appraisal & Real Estate Services and the Tama Livestock Auction.
Public Comments – None
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Officials: David Lee - MS Track & Field
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the first reading of the following policies: Policy 403.03 (formerly known as 405.03) - Communicable Diseases - Employees, Policy 601.02 (formerly known as 601.03) - School Day, Policy 802.04 - Capital Assets, and Policy 804.07 - Radon Mitigation. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the second and final reading of the following policies: Policy 216.02 - Board of Directors’ Member Development and Training, Policy 701.05 - Fiscal Management, and Policy 701.05-R(1) - Fiscal Management - Financial Metrics. All Ayes. The motion carried. Policy 804.07R1 - Radon Mitigation will be brought back to the next meeting for a final reading.
Motion by Wiese, second by Dolezal to approve the Football Program Equipment Manager position, with a one year non-renewable contract. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the sharing agreement with Meskwaki for Spring/Summer athletics. The motion carried with aye votes from Lekin, Dolezal, and Tyynismaa and one nay vote from Wiese.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve Terracon invoice, in the amount of $16,800.00, for geotechnical services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Doleal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $169,218.75, for professional services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the Communications Engineering Company inspection proposal, in the amount of $5,123.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the final demolition bid package. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to accept the estimates from ISG for the demolition as information only. All Ayes. The motion carried.
High School Principal Rob Boley and Middle School Principal Ben Adams presented a 6th - 12th grade math course proposal to the Board. They met with the math team to come up with this proposal, which will give STC teachers to meet the students where they are and focus on academic success.
High School Principal Rob Boley presented to the Board on ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), building data, and STCHS student and staff responses to a hats and hoods survey.
Superintendent Cain spoke on the 2023-2024 calendar options and the public hearing date for the calendar is set for Monday, March 6th, 2023.
The Board reviewed the geotechnical report (information only).
Superintendent Cain reported he attended boys state wrestling in Des Moines and state speech in Ames and was extremely proud of the participants. The District’s safety plan is being reviewed and updated. Mr. Cain is working with the middle school on ESSA work. There will be a Benefits Committee Meeting on Monday, February 27, 2023. The insurance renewal rates will be reviewed, along with different options.
Motion by Wiese, second by Tyynismaa to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. All Ayes.
Mandy Lekin, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary