REGULAR AND CLOSED 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 on June 17, 2024 for a regular session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. with some members of the community attending electronically through Google Hangouts.
On call of the roll the following were present: Elizabeth Dolezal , Rick Hopper, and Megan Thiessen. Quorum Present. Beth Wiese joined the meeting at 5:03 p.m. and Jackie Ellenbecker joined the meeting at 5:05 p.m. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, SRO Vern Jefferson, Toledo Chief of Police Dan Quigley, Jonathan Meyer with the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle, Kathy Wilkerson, Sam Peska, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes from the June 3, 2024 Regular Session, bills for payment, Services Agreement for Networking Support Services between Central Rivers AEA and South Tama CSD, Gear Up Grant, and McKinney-Vento Subgrant. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - None
Sam Peska gave an end of year data report to the Board.
Vern Jefferson gave a School Resource Officer end of year report to the Board.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker, to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Christine Kasal - Kitchen Staff, Misty Dewitt - Sign Language Interpreter, Zachary Pfantz - 4th Grade Teacher, Madison Cole - K-4 Special Education Paraeducator, and Ashley Steele - PK - 4 Special Education Paraeducator
Resignations: Danielle Davenport - Title VI Liaison, Kimberlee Benson - Dance Team Coach, and Crystal Hass - Individual Speech Assistant Coach
Transfers: Naomi Chyma from Middle School Head Cook to Director of Nutrition & Food Service
Mentor Contracts: Katie Schuett, Jennifer Anderson, Sarah Klopping, Travis McBride, Emily Chyma, Seth Koch, Dustin Peska, Nate Doran, Taylor Brown, Lon Wilkerson, Janelle Unkrich, Jeanette Stacey, Paula Graves, Steve Bearden, Morgan McFate, Kelle Johannsen, Gretchen Taylor, Audrey Roth, Mike Carnahan, Kenadie Geiger, Nate VanDyke, and Denise Danker
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Wiese to approve the Community Eligibility Provisions Monthly Federal Reimbursement Program for STC Elementary and Middle School. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $15,000.00, for Construction Administration and Close-Out. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement (AIA Document G802-2017), in the amount of $98,700.00, for ISG to provide commissioning services for the Middle School Addition and Renovation project. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the RESOLUTION APPOINTING UMB BANK, N.A. OF WEST DES MOINES, IOWA TO SERVE AS PAYING AGENT, BOND REGISTRAR, AND TRANSFER AGENT, APPROVING THE PAYING AGENT, BOND REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF SAME.” Ayes: Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, Hopper, and Thiessen Nays: None The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Thiessen to approve the form of Tax Exemption Certificate. Ayes: Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, Hopper, and Thiessen Nays: None The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Continuing Disclosure Certificate. Ayes: Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, Hopper, and Thiessen Nays: None The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2024, OF THE SOUTH TAMA COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, STATE OF IOWA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,000,000, AND LEVYING A TAX FOR THE PAYMENT THEREFORE ADOPTED APRIL 15, 2024.” Ayes: Dolezal, Wiese, Ellenbecker, Hopper, and Thiessen Nays: None The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the Assured Partners invoice, in the amount of $26,000.00, for 2024-2025 service fee. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Iowa Public School Insurance Program (IPSIP) invoice, in the amount of $134,702.54, for worker’s compensation premium. All Ayes. The motion carried
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the IPSIP invoice, in the amount of $524,567.65, for property and casualty insurance premiums. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the Lexia quote, in the amount of $19,644.00, for 47 LETRS Participant Materials Bundles and 9 LETRS Online Course Extensions. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Thiessen to approve the Really Great Reading quote, in the amount of $9,907.20, for Word Plus materials. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the Key Cooperative Invoice, in the amount of $6,597.81, for fertilizer, chemicals, and other applications. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the SU Insurance Company invoice, in the amount of $43,748.50, for the break/fix insurance premium. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Hopper to approve the One Way Education estimate, in the amount of $11,111.00, for a 6-year subscription and materials for heritage class. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Ellenbecker, second by Thiessen to give the business office authorization to pay additional vendor payments during June 2024, as are due and payable prior to the fiscal year end. In addition, the Board approves for the Board president to review any checks cut prior to the July 22nd Board meeting before being sent out. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve $140/day for guest teacher pay. One hundred fifty-five dollars ($155) per day for long-term guest teacher pay, ten consecutive days, in the same position. After twenty-five (25) days of guest teaching, the guest teacher will be paid $250 and then the number of days will restart. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the first reading of the following policies: 300 - Role of School District Administration (new), 301.01 - Management (new), 302.01 - Superintendent Qualifications, Recruitment, Appointment (FKA 301, 301.01), 302.02 - Superintendent Contract and Nonrenewal (FKA 301.02), 302.03 - Superintendent Salary and Other Compensation, 302.04 - Superintendent Duties (FKA 301.04), 302.05 - Superintendent Evaluation (FKA 306.01), 302.06 - Superintendent Professional Development (FKA 301.03), 302.07 - Superintendent Civic Activities (new), and 302.08 - Superintendent Consulting/Outside Employment (new). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to approve the second reading of the following policies: 213 - Public Participation in Board Meeting (FKA 207.10), 213.01 - Public Complaints (new), 214 - Public Hearings (FKA 207.05), 215 - Board of Directors’ Records (new), 215E1 - Board of Directors’ Records - Board Meeting Minutes (new), 216.01 - Association Membership (FKA 208.03), 216.03 - Board of Directors’ Member Compensation and Expenses (I, II) (FKA 208.01), and 217 - Gifts to Board of Directors (FKA 204.02). All Ayes. The motion carried.
The Board took a thirteen-minute recess.
The Board briefly reviewed the Classified, Certified, Preschool, Parent-Student, and Activities Handbooks. These will be brought back for action at July 22nd’s Board meeting.
The Board had a conversation about Dual Credit Classes and qualifications. The Iowa Department of Education will be contacted in regards to the rules and regulations with this, and the information will be brought back to the Board.
The Board discussed Voted PPEL and the possibility of having a special election for it in September 2024.
Superintendent Cain reported the middle school project continues to move along in a good direction. The District remains with a good contingency balance at this point in the project.
Superintendent Cain thanked the White House Team and the Buildings and Grounds Team for their work on the District Garage Sale. Beth Wiese, Rick Hopper, and Mr. Cain experienced some good learning opportunities at the Summit of Student Success. On June 25th, the Board will have a Board Retreat with Lou from the Iowa Association of School Boards. They will look at Eight Traits of Effective School Boards and the District’s current strategic goals.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to enter into Closed Session at 7:28 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 Ellenbecker, second by Thiessen to come out of closed session at 9:20 p.m.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Ellenbecker to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary