PUBLIC HEARING 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 on October 13, 2025 for a Public Hearing on the conveyance of school owned property 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, Joe Hanus, and Beth Wiese. Megan Thiessen was absent. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Jonathan Meyer, Mike Davis, Dixie Forcht, Janelle Pirkl, several community members, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Hearing - Conveyance of School Owned Property: President Dolezal opened the Public Hearing for the conveyance of school owned property located at 201 South Green Street, Toledo, IA at 5:00 p.m. President Dolezal reviewed Board Policy 214 - Public Hearings and asked for public comments.
Community members discussed the potential sale and future use of the former middle school, with repeated emphasis on preserving the gym for community use and ensuring transparency about the buyer’s plans. Questions and concerns centered on the purchaser’s background, the purpose of the project, zoning and infrastructure readiness, and long-term community impact, while others highlighted opportunities for revitalization, foster care support, and partnership with the City of Toledo.
Deborah Williams, longtime resident of Toledo, requested clarification on the property’s purchaser and intended use. Sharon Manfull, Toledo resident, voiced concern about the gym’s future use and potential taxpayer costs if the property is resold or left vacant. Robert Manfull, Toledo resident, questioned the purchaser’s history and accountability if the property is resold or left to deteriorate. Brian Sokol, Mayor of Toledo, urged collaboration to prevent the building from becoming vacant and supported keeping the gym for community use. Katherine Ollendieck, Toledo’s Economic Development (specialist), expressed optimism about the buyer and saw the project as a potential community benefit. Kristen Donald, South Tama graduate and parent, urged keeping the old middle school gym for youth sports and community events to support local activities. Dale Peterson, Toledo resident, supported the sale as a way to reduce liability, add taxable property, and create local opportunities. Kathy Holtz, Toledo resident, supported community investment but urged more research and safeguards to protect the gym’s use and ensure the decision benefits the community long-term. Deanna Zmolek, STC Rec Board member, thanked the Board for postponing the decision, supported including gym use in the agreement, and expressed concern that the investor had not initiated contact with the city.
President Dolezal asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to close the Public Hearing at 6:05 p.m.
The Regular Session was called to order at 6:06 p.m.
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, and Beth Wiese. Megan Thiessen was absent. Quorum Present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Board Secretary Katie Mathern, Mary Mixdorf, Jonathan Meyer, Mike Davis, Dixie Forcht, Janelle Pirkl, several community members, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Hanus, second by Wiese to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Comment - Dixie Forcht announced the upcoming fall play, Peter Pan and Wendy, to be held November 6-8, 2025 at the Wieting Theatre, noting a publicity night scheduled for tomorrow and nearly 40 students participating in the production.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the following consent agenda items: September 22, 2025 Regular and Closed Session minutes; bills for payment; City of Toledo Reinig Center Rental Agreement for Pre-ACT Testing; D&N Fence Co., Inc. Quote, in the amount of $3,094.00, for installation of 59’ of 4’ tall black vinyl chain link fence; Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Commission Natural Gas Program Participation Agreement no-cost Amendment; AEL Preventive Maintenance Agreement; $500.00 donation from Music Boosters for ½ of the 2025 Marching Band/Color Guard Choreography; $500.00 donation from James and Mary Roan for the Elementary School; $682.03 donation from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for the Elementary Backpack Program; $500.00 donation from Tama Livestock Auction for FFA; an early graduation request from Lydia Tovar (January 2027); and to table the Tanager Therapist Support Agreement (School Based Services) until the next meeting. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Janelle Pirkl presented an overview of student achievement data, including Fall assessments and the most recent ISASP results, highlighting trends reflected in the Iowa Performance Profile.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on student conduct, communication efforts, construction, finances, and upcoming meetings. He reviewed progress on the retirement policy revision, noting alignment with IASB guidance and planned discussion for approval. Updates were shared on the sale of district properties, including ongoing collaboration with the buyer and City of Toledo to revise the purchase agreement and maintain community partnership.
The Board discussed public feedback and next steps following the hearing and city meeting. Key points included ensuring gym access for community use, preventing future building abandonment through clear purchase agreement language, and maintaining fiscal responsibility by avoiding unnecessary demolition costs. Superintendent Cain noted legal guidance confirming that district funds cannot be used to demolish part of a building for transfer to another entity, reinforcing the Board’s commitment to transparency and responsible use of public funds under Policy 705.04.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Amber Bolen - Head 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach, Leslie Keller - Head 8th Grade Girls Track Coach, Blake Keller - Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach, Brooke Dollen - Basketball Cheerleading Coach, and Britney Gillum - High School Special Education Paraeducator
Transfers: Carlie Herdlicka from Middle School Assistant Boys Soccer to High School Assistant Varsity Girls Soccer and Laura Ridout from Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach to Interim Head Girls Basketball Coach
Officials: Middle School Girls Basketball - David Nitz, Tom Kemper, Eugene Ubben, and Ashley Castanon; Middle School Boys Wrestling - John Bartello, Patrick Kopsa, Curt Hilmaer, Travis Smith, Bob Yilek, Eric Rees, Brandon Dufoe, and Connor Timm; High School Football - Tim Zaputil; High School Volleyball - Matthew Vogeler; and Middle School Volleyball - Kennedy Thiessen
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the Certified and Classified Handbook update (Early Retirement). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Big Rigger Builders estimate, in the amount of $6,192.13, for repairs on Bus 13-2. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the EPS Learning quote, in the amount of $6,693.48, for SPIRE instructional materials. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Wiese to approve the Navigate360 invoice, in the amount of $6,793.50, for Compass curriculum for students, behavioral intervention for students, and annual service and support fees for curriculum subscriptions. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the 95 Percent Group quote, in the amount of $5,200.00, for Empowering Educators: Coaching/Consultation for Classroom Success - Onsite. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to approve the Thomas Company estimate, in the amount of $13,196.00, for replacing the high school’s walk-in freezer’s compressor, line set, and evaporator coil. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Hudl invoice, in the amount of $9,178.08, for the district’s athletic technology and video services for the upcoming school year. The STC Activity Boosters will pay $4,500.00 towards this purchase. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hopper to approve the first readings of the following policies: 104 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy (Annual), 104 E1 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Complaint Form (Annual), 104 E2 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Witness Disclosure Form (Annual), 104 E3 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Disposition of Complaint Form (Annual), 104 R1 - Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy - Investigation Procedures (Annual), 203 - Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest (Revised), 403.03 E1 - Communicable Diseases - Hepatitis B Vaccine (New), 403.03 R1 - Communicable Diseases - Employees - Regulation (New), 405.03 - Licensed Employee Individual Contracts (New), 405.04 - Licensed Employee Continuing Contracts (New), 405.05 - Licensed Employee Work Day (New), 405.07 - Licensed Employee Transfers (New), 405.09 - Licensed Employee Probationary Status (New), 407.01 - Licensed Employee Resignation (New), 407.02 - Licensed Employee Contract Release (New), 407.04 - Licensed Employee Suspension (New), 409.02 - Employee Leaves of Absence (New), 410.01 - Substitute Teachers (Revised), 414 - Classified Employee Professional Purpose Leave (New), and 708 - Care, Maintenance, and Disposal of School District Records (FKA 805.01). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the second reading of the following policies: (Rescind) 301.05 - Professional Liability Exposure - Superintendent, 402.02 - Abuse of Students by School District Employee (FKA 402.03), 402.03 - Child Abuse Reporting (FKA 402.02), 506.01 E1 - Education Records Access - Request of Non-parent for Examination or Copies of Education Records (Needs Updated), 506.01 E2 - Education Records Access - Authorization for Release of Education Records (Needs Updated), 506.01 E3 - Education Records Access - Request for Hearing on Correction of Education Records (Needs Updated), 506.01 E4 - Education Records Access - Request for Examination of Education Records (FKA 505.01 E5), 506.01 E5 - Education Records Access - Notification of Transfer of Education Records (New), 506.01 E6 - Education Records Access - Letter to Parent Regarding Receipt of a Subpoena (FKA 505.01 E7), 506.01 E7 - Education Records Access - Juvenile Agency Information (FKA 505.01 E8), 506.01 E8 - Education Records Access - Annual Notice (FKA 505.01 E9), and 506.01 R1 - Education Records Access - Regulation (FKA 401.05 R1). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the third reading of policy 407.06 - Employee Early Retirement. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain reported the Fall Activities Banquet will be on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Reining Center.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
Motion by Wiese, second by Hanus to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Katie Mathern, Board Secretary