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 January 27, 2025 for a work session at the STC High School, Tama, Iowa at 3:45 p.m.
On call of the roll the following were present: Elizabeth Dolezal, Rick Hopper, Joe Hanus, and Beth Wiese. Megan Thiessen was absent. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Acting Board Secretary Amber Robson, and several high school staff members.
The Board initiated a discussion on ways to better support the high school staff. The conversation expanded to cover several key topics, including administrative transitions, academic achievement, work-based learning opportunities, student engagement strategies, and the management of cell phone use in the classroom.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to adjourn the work session at 4:45 p.m.
The Board of Directors of the Community School District of South Tama County met on January 27, 2025 for regular session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa at 5:00 p.m. with some members of the community attending electronically through Google Hangouts.
The Board and guests stated the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the District’s mission statement.
On call of the roll the following were present: Elizabeth Dolezal, Rick Hopper, Joe Hanus, Megan Thiessen, and Beth Wiese. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Acting Board Secretary Amber Robson, Mary Mixdorf, Sam Peska, Chelsea Ahrens, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Public Comment - None
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes of the January 13, 2025 regular session; bills for payment; Northwestern College District Agreement between Northwestern College Department of Education and South Tama County Community School District, ProCare Therapy Client Services Agreement, STC Activity Boosters donation in the amount of $808.00 for a floor restorer, STC Activity Boosters donation in the amount of $765.00 for a wrestling scale, STC Activity Boosters donation in the amount of $1,344.00 for Plyo Boxes, Z-Line donation in the amount of $2,000.00 for drumline equipment, and Knights of Columbus donation in the amount of $936.98 for Special Olympics from the Tootsie Roll Drive. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Chelsea Ahrens presented on middle school and high school activities.
Superintendent Cain gave the Board an update on the new middle school. Pylar, the project lead with ISG, has left ISG, and Bob Mickelson will now be the lead architect for the project. Punch lists are coming up in some areas and furniture bids have been released.
Superintendent Cain and the Board briefly discussed the high school work session. A second session with the high school is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29th, at the high school. The District Needs Assessment is complete and will inform aspects of the District’s strategic plan. The District’s RFPs for the Partnership, Middle School, Middle School Playground with the tennis courts, and the old junior high football field are currently advertised for sale. Dan Lopez and Jill Kienzle will present at our February 10th meeting on Marshalltown Community College and Work-Based Learning, regarding the progress the District is making in preparing to meet state expectations for Career & College Readiness. The 2025-2026 Calendar Committee will be meeting twice over the next couple of weeks with the hopes of having the calendar ready for approval in late February/early March. Administration is working to fill the District’s staff openings for the 2025-2026 school year.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the following personnel requests. Ayes - Hopper, Thiessen, and Wiese. Nays - Hanus The motion carried.
Hires: Ryan Cassady - Assistant Varsity Football Coach and Andrew Walton - Assistant Varsity Football Coach
Resignations: Elizabeth Serrano Mercado - Elementary Special Education Paraeducator
Transfers: Ben Adams from Middle School Principal to High School Principal effective July 1, 2025, Scott Bolen from Middle School Dean of Students with Middle School Activities to High School Assistant Principal effective July 1, 2025, and Chelsea Ahrens from High School Activities Director to District Activities Director (7-12) effective July 1, 2025.
Officials: High School Basketball - Zane Johnson, Tyler DeBondt, Jon Baker, John Jaspers, Todd Donels, Robert Hoffert, and Jorge Harwood and Middle School Basketball - Ashley Castonon
Volunteers: David Resiner - High School Boys Basketball
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hopper to approve the Central Rivers Area Education Agency invoice, in the amount of $11.860.00, for Networking Support Services - December 2024 and Work Experience Coordinator - FTE 0.2 - 1st half. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to appoint Rick Hopper as the STC School Board Representative for Tama County. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to approve the ProCare Therapy Addendum A - Client Assignment Confirmation. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Hanus to approve the first reading of Policy 400 - Role of and Guiding Principles for Employees. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the second reading of the following policies: 102 - Educational Opportunity, 401.01 - Equal Employment Opportunity, 501.09 - Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy, 603.08 - Teaching about Religion, 603.08 R1 - Teaching About Religion - Regulation - Religious Holidays, 710.01 - School Food Program, 710.01 E1 - School Food Program - Child Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaint Form, 710.01 R1 - School Food Program - School Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaints Procedure. All Ayes. The motion carried
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve the third reading of the following policies: 401.06 - Limitations to Employment References (New), 401.11 - Employee Orientation (New), 401.12 - Employee Use of Cell Phones (New), 401.12 R1 - Employee Use of Cell Phones - Regulation (New), 403.05 R1 - Substance-Free Workplace - Regulation (New). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Mr. Cain reviewed upcoming events with the Board.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
The next Board meeting will be on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA.
Motion by Thiessen, second by Wiese to adjourn the meeting at 5:52 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Amber Robson, Acting Board Secretary