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 16, 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 and Beth Wiese Absent: Elizabeth Dolezal, Megan Thiessen, and Clint Werner Also present were: John Cain and other administrators.
The Board of Directors of the Community School District of South Tama County met on October 16, 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, Megan Thiessen, and Beth Wiese. Absent: Clint Werner Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Kris Collins, Brad Schweppe, Jina Humston, Paula Graves, Leah Fonua, Anita Townsley, Matt Zmolek, Rob Boley, Amy Karg, Ben Adams, Nate Doran, Evelyn Fonseca, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen, to approve the agenda with the addition to 7A: Hiring of Justice Kirkman as a middle school paraeducator. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the October 2, 2023 regular session, bills for payment as presented, financials, early graduation request from Jorge Hernandez, GMG and East Marshall Girls Wrestling Agreement, Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel Engagement Agreement, Reinig Center Rental Agreement, McGraw Hill Achieve3000 Acceptance for Quote, GreenBelt Technology Solutions Letter of Agency for Funding Year 2024-2025, and GreenBelt Technology Solutions Quote. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comments – Amy Stotts suggested recording board meetings and also, possibly holding the meetings in a larger area.
Paula Graves and Ben Adams presented on the Trojan Way middle school program through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Anita Townsley and Leah Fonua presented on the Trojan Way elementary school program through PBIS.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Wiese to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Dave Wiese - Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, Justin Gates - 9th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, and Justice Kirkman - Middle School Paraeducator
After School Program: Madison Cline - Second Grade, Janelle Unkrich - Second Grade, Katie Schuett - Sub for Kindergarten and First Grade, Emma Johnson - First Grade, Alice Koch - First Grade Split, Melody Cole - First Grade Split, Tasha Becker - Third/Fourth Grade, Hana Kucera - Third Grade, Taylor Ray - Kindergarten, and Cassie Sokol - Kindergarten
Resignations: Andrea Rutledge - 8th Grade Head Volleyball Coach
Transfers: Lon Wilkerson - 7th/8th Grade Assistant Boys Basketball Coach to 7th Grade Head Basketball Coach, Amy Dolash - Temporary Head Varsity Volleyball Coach to Temporary 9th Grade Volleyball Coach, and Ashley Raue - 9th Grade Volleyball Coach to Temporary Head Varsity Volleyball Coach
Officials: HS Football - Spencer Hoyka; HS Wrestling - Jordan Bleil, Brantly Bagby, Benjamin Ogle, Justin Brand, Andrew May, Bob Yilek, Dave Litterer, Brandon Defoe, Bryan Foster, Joe Fontenot, Patrick Kopsa, Craig Bencke, David McCluskey, and Andrew Shivers; and HS Basketball - Randy Dieken, Sam De Vilder, Dick Shindelar, C. Michael Anderson, Elisha Culpepper, Zac Clark, Wayde Blumhardt, Kyle Clark, Paul Elser, Astor Williams, Kelly Martin, Terrance Campbell, Brent Johnson, Douglas Fabry, Dean Deutmeyer, Doug Heisler, Philip Cottrell, Jim Packingham, Travis Dilavou, Josh Johnson, Adam Roy, Adam Dohrn, Rod Kolder, Mike Schmidt, Michael Gruetzmacher, Kevin James, Robert Hoffert, Mark Watts, Tom Kemper, Wayne Ritscher, Jay Freese, Stacy O’Hare, Stephanie Kaftan, Jeremy Weiermann, Dave Nitz, Kory Staff, Seth Koch, Eugene Ubben, Deidra Mohr, Dave Mohr, and Tiffan
Motion by Wiese, second by Dolezal to approve an Assistant FFA Advisor position. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the MyBenefitsChannel invoice, in the amount of $5,500.00, for an annual subscription fee for the Premium Package. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the resolution fixing the date of sale of approximately $21,600,000.00 school infrastructure sales, services and use tax revenue and refunding bonds, series 2023 and approving official statement. Ayes: Lekin, Dolezal, Thiessen, and Wiese Nays: None The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Dolezal to approve the BSN Sports order summary, in the amount of $6,860.84, for 20 girls basketball uniforms. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $17,812.50, for construction admin/close-out on Bid Package 1. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Garling Construction application and certificate for payment #1, in the amount of $103,312.50, for the middle school construction project. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to table the Jester proposal until expenses are reviewed and calculated to compare to the premium involved. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Rob Boley presented the Trojan Way for the high school program and recognized Nate Doran and Evelyn Fonseca for their willingness to go above and beyond.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the stipend/bonus for the three high school teachers who are teaching an actual class during their prep time and the stipend for the Trojan Way Leads in the district. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the FY ‘22 Final Audit. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Dolezal, second by Thiessen to approve the first reading of the following policies: 407.03 - Employee Retirement (formerly known as 401.07) and 407.06 - Employee Early Retirement (formerly known as 401.07 R1). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the second reading of the following policies with the tabling of 503.08 - Discipline Policy (New): 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 Thiessen, second by Dolezal to approve the final reading of policy 704.04 - Gifts, Grants, and Bequests. 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. Beth Wiese will attend for STC.
Superintendent Cain reported he recently toured the new middle school. The electrical team is in place to move things. The plumbers will be in place by next week. The footings will start in the next 4-6 weeks.
Superintendent Cain reported the book study on Culturize is complete; now to move forward and implement what was learned. Building administrators have had opportunities to involve their leadership teams in discussion as it relates to Policy 503.08 - Discipline Policy. Mr. Cain shared the legislative update document with the Board and explained how it will show the District’s progress in updating what is needed before January 1, 2024. Mr. Cain encouraged the Board to spread the word on Community Night on October 30, 2023.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to enter into Closed Session at 7:40 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. All Ayes.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to come out of closed session at 8:15 p.m. All Ayes.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.
Mandy Lekin, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary