WORK SESSION AND 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 in a Work Session on October 2, 2023 at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 4:30 p.m., prior to the Regular Session.
On call of the roll the following were present: Mandy Lekin, Elizabeth Dolezal, and Megan Thiessen. Absent: Clint Werner and Beth Wiese Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dixie Forcht, City of Toledo Chief of Police Dan Quigley, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal, to approve the agenda with the removal of item 4.C. Financials, as financials will be presented at the second meeting of each month. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the September 18, 2023 regular session, bills for payment as presented, Junior Achievement 2023-2024 School Year - Program Pilot Agreement and Mental Health Training Paraeducator Fellowship Agreement, and authorization for the Board President and/or Superintendent to Issue and Approve Special Education Contracts and Open Enrollment Applications. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comments – Mr. Quigley updated the Board on the SRO program and how the first month has gone very well.
Superintendent Cain discussed with the Board how they would like to see and utilize the Partnership Center for behaviors. The Board would like to support the process as it is laid out.
Superintendent Cain reviewed how the District would like to recognize those staff members who are stepping up and taking on extended responsibilities this year.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Estrella Yepez - Special Education Paraeducator
Officials: MS Wrestling - John Bartello, Brandon Defoe, Patrick Kopsa, Bob Yilek, Bryan Foster, Dave Litterer; Boys & Girls MS Basketball - David Nitz, Eugene Ubben, Tom Kemper, and Stephanie Kaftan; MS Girls Basketball - Craig Harrison and Tiffany Thiessen; and HS Volleyball - Peter Cruz and Rick Roquet
Lead Teacher: Taylor Brown (CTE)
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the additional bus paraprofessional position. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the Certified Handbook changes as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the request for Modified Allowable Supplemental Aid for LEP Allowable Costs in excess of what was originally received through State Aid for FY23, in the amount of $179,693.42. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the first reading of the following policies: 503.08 - Discipline Policy (formerly known as 502.01), 507.02 - Administration of Medication to Students, 507.02 E1 - Administration of Medication to Students Authorization - Asthma, Airway Constricting or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form, 507.02 E2 - Administration of Medication to Students - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Medication or Special Health Services to Students, 507.02 E3 - Administration of Medication to Students - Parental Authorization and Release Form for Independent Self Carry and Administration of Prescribed Medication or Independent Delivery of Health Services by the Student (New), 607.02 - Student Health Services (formerly known as 507.01), and 607.02 R1 - Student Health Services Administrative Regulations (formerly known as 507.02 R1) All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Weise, second by Werner to approve the second reading of the following policies with the tabling of 704.04 - Gift, Grants, Bequests (formerly known as 802.02): 603.05 - Health Education, 605.01 - Instructional Materials, 605.01 R1 - Instructional Materials Selection - Selection of Instruction Materials Regulation, 605.02 - Instructional and Library Materials Inspection and Display, 605.03 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials, 605.03 R1 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials - Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation, 605.03 E5 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials - Request to Prohibit a Student from Accessing Specific Instructional Material, 605.05 - School Library, 605.07 R1 - Use of Information Resources - Regulation, and 704.04 R1 - Donations for Students Meals. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve a $100 donation towards food service from Kristi Peters in memory of Delores Asmussen and $127.80 from families from the graduating class of 2023 donating leftover lunch account money. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board discussed the Iowa Association of School Boards Delegate Appointment, including the proposed legislative platform and proposed public policy agenda.
Superintendent Cain reported contractors are finishing up on Bid Package 1’s unfinished work; they are down to 25 items on the punch list. This is not holding up Bid Package 2 and its progress.
Superintendent Cain reported KCRG was present in the District and interviewed staff and students in regards to the Gear Up Program at the high school and also the Community Eligibility Provision program (free meals) offered at South Tama County Elementary. It looks like the CEP program will be decreasing its percentage of eligibility from 40% to 25%. The District will look into this once it is available. There is a webinar about this on Thursday, October 5th.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to enter into Closed Session at 6:48 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 Dolezal, second by Thiessen to come out of closed session at 6:58 p.m. All Ayes.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the settlement agreement as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Mandy Lekin, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary