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 July 17, 2023 for a Regular Session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 5:45 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 Megan Thiessen. Quorum Present. Clint Werner and Beth Wiese were absent. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Rob Boley, Dixie Forcht, Toledo Chief of Police - Dan Quigley, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Mrs. Mathern administered the Oath of Office to Megan Thiessen.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen, to approve the agenda with the addition of the Iowa Valley Agreement to the consent agenda, under letter C. Contracts and Interagency Agreements. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the
June 19, 2023 regular Board meeting, minutes from the June 29, 2023 special Board meeting, bills for payment as presented, Nature Center Rental Agreement, iJAG MOU, Morningside Agreement, and Iowa Valley Agreement. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comments – Amy Stotts and Dixie Forcht brought up suggestions/corrections for the handbooks.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Michelle Ankrum - 4th Grade Teacher, Morgan McFate - Assistant Football Cheerleading Coach, Darcy Lamb - Assistant Large Group Speech Coach, and Kerry Kucera - Food Service
Resignations: Judie Womack - Food Service
Officials: Ian Hamilton - HS Baseball
2023-2024 Mentor Teachers: Heather Wanatee, Dawn Henley, Amy Stewart, Melody Cole, Micki Stonewall, Madison Cline, Katie Schuett, Jennifer Anderson, Sarah Dostal, Michelle Wiegand, Sarah Klopping, Jeanette Stacy, George Kuhter, Steve Bearden, Ashley Raue, Paula Graves, Travis McBride, Elizabeth Weitzell, Audrey Roth, Emily Chyma, Victoria Hamilton, Rachel Davis, Kelle Johannsen, and Seth Koch
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the Covermaster quote, in the amount of $5,953, for a track cover. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the Tama County Mitigation Adoption Plan. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to table approving the contract for the H-1B Visa until legal looks it over. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the Kajeet quote for renewal, in the amount of $10,270.65, for 50 of 150 smart spots. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the SRO agreement for the 2023-2024 school year, with any changes or amendments to be presented and approved by the Board. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve Change Order #004, to adjust the final completion date to August 2, 2023. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve Pay Application 03, from Garling Construction, in the amount of $341,080.02, for the Middle School Project. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $93,515.00, for construction documents, bidding, and construction admin/close-out. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the change of the following nutrition prices: Adult lunch from $4.13 to $4.85, milk from $0.45 to $0.50, water from $1.00 to $1.50, sandwich/pizza from $1.25 to $2.00, miscellaneous snacks from $0.75 to $1.00, soft pretzel $0.75, beef jerky from $1.25 to $1.00, parfaits from $2.00 to $2.50, frozen yogurt from $1.00 to $1.25, chef salad from $4.00 to $4.50, zero sugar pop (bottles) from $1.00 to $1.75, grab n go cereal $1.25, muffins $0.75, and cereal bars $1.50. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the CEC invoice, in the amount of $5,123.00, for annual fire inspections. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the Key Cooperative Invoice, in the amount of $7,041.25, for seed beans. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the first reading of the following policies with changes as discussed: 104: Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy, 104.(R)1: Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Investigation Procedures, 200.04: Board Member Social Media Engagement, 210.05: Meeting Notice, and 213: Public Participation in Board Meetings. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the 2023-2024 Classified Handbook, Certified Handbook, Student Handbook, Preschool Handbook, Activities Handbook, and Substitute Handbook. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain gave an update on the Middle School and invited those who haven’t seen the work completed to set up a time for him to take them on a tour.
Superintendent Cain discussed the one-page document with STC’s Strategic Priorities.
Superintendent Cain spoke about the 2024 legislative priorities for the 2023-2024 school year. New information will be coming out soon.
The Board reviewed the report from Activities Director, Chelsea Ahrens, on the activities from the 2022-2023 school year.
The Board reviewed Personnel openings as of July 14, 2023.
Superintendent Cain reported the Board/Administration book study of Culturize will pick back up in August with focus on chapter four. The Board, administration, and directors will have a retreat on August 8th at the Tama County Nature Center, Otter Creek. The bid opening for Phase 2 of the Middle School Project is on August 1, 2023, followed by the consideration of construction bids received and award of construction contract at the August 7th Board meeting. Mr. Cain also reported Libby Albright (competitor), Kara Nachazel (special recognition) and Jonah Houghton will appear in the Iowa High School Music Theater Awards on PBS.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:27 p.m.
Mandy Lekin, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary