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 March 10, 2025 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.
The Board and guests stated the “Pledge of Allegiance” and the District’s mission statement.
On call of the roll the following were present: Rick Hopper, Joe Hanus, and Beth Wiese. Absent: Elizabeth Dolezal and Megan Thiessen Rick Hopper acted as chairperson. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Janelle Pirkl, Dixie Forcht, Steve McAdoo, Rhonda Riker, Ben Adams, Kathy Wilkerson, Joy Schirmer, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Public Comment - None
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the agenda with the addition of action item 1.a Instructional Coaches and Interventionist position postings. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following consent agenda items: minutes of the February 24, 2025 regular session; bills for payment as presented; 2025-2026 AEA Purchasing Agreement; Amendment to Windstream Agreement; Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Commission Program Participation Agreement; Joe Fingerhut Speaking Engagement Letter of Agreement; the STC Activity Boosters donation of $10,000 for drumline equipment; Henry’s Heroes Program to receive a donation of books for our school library; and early graduation requests for Fabian Garcia (March 2025), Nicolas Araiza (March 2025), and Kingston Davenport (March 2025). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Ben Adams presented on different middle school items such as, behavior referrals, attendance, cell phones, hiring, and testing.
Janelle Pirkl, Dixie Forcht, and Rhonda Riker presented on Winter data for each building. This included FastBridge Data: reading - (District Totals with Goals/Grade Level Totals with Goals) and math - (District Totals with Goals/Grade Level Totals with Goals).
Superintendent Cain gave the Board a middle school construction update. The punch list and playground project are moving along smoothly, and it’s important to keep making progress to reach completion.
Superintendent Cain proposed maintaining three instructional coaches across the district but adjust their roles by creating a .75 and .25 coach position in each building. This setup would allow all instructional coaches to directly serve students. For example, a .75 coach could also take on a .25 interventionist or strategist role. There has been significant interest in this idea, and administrative discussions are ongoing.
Superintendent Cain shared a picture of the roadway going through the new middle school property and the signage to go with it, explaining what work does need to be done to it.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Alexis Huff - High School Spanish Teacher
Resignations: Nathan VanDyke - High School Physical Education and Head High School Boys Wrestling Coach and Angelica Gomez - Fall, Spring, and Winter High School Concession Stand Manager
Transfers: Devin Hoskey - from 8th Grade Writing Teacher to 8th Grade Science Teacher and Andrew Walton - from Middle School Sub & Part-Time Physical Education Teacher to High School Physical Education Teacher
Officials: Santos Martinez - Middle School Boys Soccer, Juan Gonzalez - Middle School Boys Soccer, and David Lee - Middle School Boys/Girls Track & Field
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve posting for anticipated instructional coaches and Title/Interventionist positions. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the quote for Spring Assemblies by Joe Fingerhut, in the amount of $7,500.00, for three assemblies, one community night presentation for families, and all travel and expenses. This will be paid for out of the Stronger Connections Grant. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Selective invoice, in the amount of $28,759.00, for builders’ risk insurance. This will be prorated and once the middle school project is completed, prorated premiums will be refunded. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Graphic Design and Computer Systems and Applications course proposals. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve compensating those special education teachers with extra in their caseloads $25.00 per point over 110 points in their caseloads. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Mystery Science quotes, in the amounts of $1,695.00 and $12,400.00 respectively for digital access and Mystery packs. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the RTI - 4 antenna quote, in the amount of $71,608.66, for a wireless upgrade. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Frontline Education renewal notice, in the amount of $22,260.29, for the absence and time clock system. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Trane proposal, in the amount of $5,755.00, for the elementary hallway HVAC. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the JRF Concrete estimate, in the amount of $12,554.50, for the girls wrestling practice building driveway. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Mr. Cain reviewed the following upcoming events with the Board: Middle School Golden Achievement Awards (3/11/2025), Dodgeball Fundraiser Tournament (3/13/2025), and Spring Conferences next week.
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, March 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama IA.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to enter into Closed Session at 7:16 p.m. pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate, but only when premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the board would have to pay for the property, or in case of a sale reduce the province the board could receive for the property. All Ayes.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to come out of closed session at 8:28 p.m.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary