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 February 10, 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, and Joe Hanus. Beth Wiese joined the meeting at 5:02 p.m. and Megan Thiessen was absent. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Dan Lopez, Jill Kienzle, Steve McAdoo, Sam Peska, Kathy Wilkerson, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Public Comment - None
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes of the January 27, 2025 work and regular session, bills for payment, and ICN Agreement for “Category One - Data Transmission and/or Internet Access Service.” All Ayes. The motion carried.
Jill Kienzle and Dan Lopez presented on STC’s Work-Based Learning progress.
Superintendent Cain discussed the 2025-2026 calendar with the Board.
Katie Mathern reviewed the certified budget and discussed with the Board what areas of the property tax rate can be changed.
Superintendent Cain reviewed what a possible Career Connected Learning Coordinator job description might look like and explained the need for this position.
Superintendent Cain gave the Board an update on the new middle school. There has been major progress with painting and also the entire gym. The cleaning process will begin soon.
Superintendent Cain and Steve McAdoo presented the two different options for the Middle School South Center Street project and set up a plan for this project.
Superintendent Cain expressed the goal for future opportunities for the Board to meet with staff at each building, as they did with the high school. This week, we will engage in the process of hiring our new administrative team at the middle school. There has been zero interest in the four District properties listed for sale thus far. Mr. Cain gave a brief legislative update. Mr. Cain reviewed the letter of support for the Tama County Economic Development Commission on behalf of he and the STC School Board. Superintendent Cain and the Board discussed current internal postings.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Ryan Cassady - Assistant Middle School Baseball Coach
Resignations: Ryan Cassady - 7th Grade Middle School Assistant Football Coach, Andrew Walton - 8th Grade Football Assistant Football Coach, and Alexandria Ramirez Houseman - Elementary Special Education Paraeducator
Transfers: Leti Babinat from Middle School Special Education Teacher to High School Special Education Teacher effective August 2025 and Paula Graves from Middle School Science Teacher to High School Science Teacher effective August 2025
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve the Tanager Place invoice, in the amount of $7,500.00, for Mental Health Support Services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Garling Construction pay application 17, in the amount of $913,537.34, for general construction services. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve setting a Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 School Calendar on February 24, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Partnership Center. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve setting a Public Hearing for the furniture bids on February 24, 2025 at 5:15 p.m. at the Partnership Center. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to not renew the SU Insurance Company 2025 proposal, in the amount of $139,892.00, for break/fix insurance. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following Budget Adjustment (Guarantee) Resolution: RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of SOUTH TAMA Community School District, will levy property taxes for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the regular program budget adjustment as allowed under section 257.14, Code of Iowa. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the transfer of funds from the General Fund to Activity Fund, in the amount of $2,543.15, for the reconditioning of football helmets. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Garling Construction COR 0120R, in the amount of $57,406.93, to add propylene glycol to chilled and hot water systems. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Garling Construction COR 0121, in the amount of $6,835.22, to add aprons and countertops in rooms 35 and 37 not detailed on the bid documents. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Garling Construction COR 124, in the amount of $38,945.84, to provide and install side stream filters as directed. All ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the ISG invoice, in the amount of $12,454.81, for the furniture process, construction commissioning, and commissioning reimbursables. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the first reading of the following policies: 502.09 - Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies (FKA 502.12) and 506.01 E1 - Education Records Access - Request of Nonparent for Examination or Copies of Education Records (FKA 505.01 E2). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve the second reading of policy 400 - Role of and Guiding Principles for Employees. 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 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to enter into Closed Session at 7:15 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code subsection 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 Hopper to come out of closed session at 7:35 p.m.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary