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 20, 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 Penny Tyynismaa. Quorum Present. Clint Werner was absent. Beth Wiese joined the meeting at 5:57 p.m. via telephone and left the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Chelsea Ahrens via Google Hangouts, Ashley Raue, Sam Peska, Steve McAdoo, Dan Quigley, Ben Adams, Marilyn Rippy, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Hearing - Changes to the 2022-2023 School Calendar at 5:01 p.m. President Lekin asked for public comments. No comments. President Lekin asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to close the public hearing at 5:03 p.m.
The regular session was called to order at 5:03 p.m.
On call of the roll the following were present: Mandy Lekin, Elizabeth Dolezal, and Penny Tyynismaa. Quorum Present. Clint Werner was absent. Beth Wiese joined the meeting at 5:57 p.m. via telephone and left the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Chelsea Ahrens via Google Hangouts, Ashley Raue, Sam Peska, Steve McAdoo, Dan Quigley, Ben Adams, Marilyn Rippy, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the agenda with moving agenda item 7.B. Middle School Teacher Lead Math Presentation to after public comments and add agenda item 6.T. 2022-2023 School Calendar Changes. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the March 6, 2023 regular Board meeting, bills for payment and financial statements as presented, Coca Cola Agreement, early graduation request for Josiline Ellis and early graduation request for Brendon Ribby. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comments – None
Teacher, Ashley Raue, presented on middle school math. The Bridges Math Curriculum 5th grade is currently used and was adopted two years ago. She explained the process of how the curriculum is presented to students through pretests, lessons, checkpoints, and post-assessments.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Tayler Bovenmeyer - 7th grade writing teacher and Alisa Brinkman - middle school Strat I Special Education teacher
Resignations: Elinor Rutledge - elementary kitchen staff, Mariah Snyder - elementary special education, Jerrod Bridgewater - 8th grade boys basketball, Maddy Huffaker - 5th-8th grade TAG, and Sidney Barrett - kindergarten teacher
Transfer: Cassie Sokol from district wide substitute to kindergarten (2023-2024 school year) and Dyanira Perez from preschool ELL paraeducator to middle school activities secretary (2023-2024 school year)
Officials: Cameron Cantrall - HS boys soccer, Jeffrey Blanchard - HS boys soccer, Tyler Strickler - HS boys soccer, Logan Swaim - HS boys soccer, Chris Weber - HS boys soccer, Dustin Hughson - HS boys soccer, Terence Moriarty - HS girls soccer, Emily Phillips - HS girls soccer, and David Lee - HS track meet starter
Volunteers: Olivia Terrones - HS girls soccer, Josh Bly - HS baseball, and Bailey Chyma - HS boys tennis
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the first reading of the following policies: Policy 104 (formerly known as 502.03) - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy, Policy 104-E(1) (formerly known as 502.03E1) - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Complaint Form, Policy 104-E(2) (formerly known as 502.03E2) - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Witness Disclosure Form, Policy 104-E(3) (formerly known as 502.03E3) - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Disposition of Complaint Form, and Policy 104-R(1) (formerly known as 502.03R1) - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Investigation Procedures. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to table the second reading of the following policies until the next Board meeting: Policy 401.14 - Employee Expression, Policy 504.05 R1 - Student Fundraising, Policy 507.02 (formerly known as 507.04) - Administration of Medication to Students, Policy 507.02 E1 - Administration of Medication to Students - Administration Consent Form, Policy 601.01 - School Calendar, Policy 605.05 - School Library, Policy 607.01a - Student Guidance and Counseling Program, Policy 704.06 - Online Fundraising Campaigns/Crowdfunding, Policy 705.01a - Purchasing-Bidding, Policy 705.01 R2 - Purchasing-Bidding Using Federal Funds in Procurement Contract, and Policy 802.03 (formerly known as 902.03) - Emergency Repair. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the Cutting Edge Curriculum quote for a site license and functionality renewal in the amount of $9,500.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the ISG invoice for design development and construction documents in the amount of $227,109.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the Hoglund Bus quote for the installation of cameras on buses in the amount of $17,668.40. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the Doors Inc. quote for the window between the wood shop and welding classrooms in the amount of $4,189.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the DC Construction quote for the administration building roof replacement in the amount of $19,021.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the Scharnweber, Inc. quote for the Partnership Center waterline repair in the amount of $14,475.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to table agenda item 6.J. Elementary Carpet Replacement Bids to obtain additional quotes. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the Impact 7G agreement for asbestos consulting. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to table agenda item 6.L. Bond Proceeds Investing until more information is provided from ISJIT. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the audit proposal for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, 2024 and 2025 submitted by Kay L. Chapman, CPA PC. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to table agenda item 6.N. Insurance Contributions until there is more discussion from the Board. All ayes, except for Tyynismaa who abstained. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to authorize the Board secretary to publish the 2023-2024 budget estimate with $6,289,219 to be raised via property taxes through a total tax levy of $14.45258 per $1,000, and to hold a public hearing at 5:00 p.m. on April 17, 2023, at the Partnership Center in Tama, regarding the budget, as required by law. (Last year’s approved tax levy amount was $14.45287). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to table agenda item 6.P. RTI ERate Quote until more information is provided. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Tyynismaa to approve the Mystery Science quote for kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade packs in the amount of $8,025.00. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the additional middle school fundraiser. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the additional high school fundraisers for boys and girls track, baseball, and boys and girls tennis. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the changes to the 2022-2023 school calendar. These changes would revert the early dismissals on Wednesdays back to 2:20 p.m. and 2:25 p.m. dismissals starting the week of March 20th through the remainder of the school year. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Middle school principal Ben Adams presented data to the Board from the middle school. Current enrollment is 425 students. Power Metrics is utilized to obtain data. For activities, 58% of the students in 7th grade are participating in one or more activities and 64% of the students in 8th grade are participating in one or more activities. Only nine students weren’t allowed to participate in the PBIS celebrations. Looking ahead, the real challenge will be 24 students coming into 5th grade next year.
ISG is doing a nice job collaborating with staff for different decisions being made with the middle school, including interior design. They have met with as many teacher groups as possible and plan to continue this throughout the project.
Chelsea Ahrens discussed the funding options for a new outdoor scoreboard. Coca Cola is providing $12,500.00 towards the scoreboard with the approved agreement. Chelsea stated she is reaching out to businesses in regards to this and Activity Boosters are looking into helping with this as well.
Sam Peska discussed the need for an additional part-time paraeducator.
Superintendent Cain discussed SIAC and goal setting. In his next newsletter, he will provide the information from the committees and with this, look at what Board goals to put in the forefront.
Superintendent Cain reported he and the Administrative Team met to review the results from the completed vulnerability assessment. The group is looking at using the funds provided towards upgrading camera and door systems, while aligning with the middle school project. A group will be meeting with ISG to complete a Design and Development page turn to go through the plans in detail. Negotiations will take place tomorrow night with the first proposals.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to go into closed session at 7:39 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) of the open meetings 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. All Ayes.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to come out of closed session at 7:46 p.m.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to approve the settlement agreement as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Tyynismaa, second by Dolezal to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. All Ayes.
Mandy Lekin, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary