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 July 20, 2026 for a Regular Session at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa beginning 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, Michael Avis, and Joe Hanus. Danya Keahna was absent. Quorum present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain via Google Hangouts, Amber Robson, Mary Mixdorf, Jonathan Meyer, Travis Squires with Piper Sandler, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Forum - None
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the consent agenda as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Travis Squires of Piper Sandler presented an overview of recent property tax reform legislation, its impact on the District’s finances and bond rating, and discussed future funding considerations, including the potential need for a voter-approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL).
Superintendent Cain provided updates on the District’s 2026 Excellence in Energy Efficient Design Award, minor revisions to TLC job descriptions, WaMaC, his planned retirement at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, Board training, changes to eighth-grade eligibility legislation, the District Technology Committee, and the draft community survey.
Motion by Hanus, second by Avis to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Eva Keahna - Middle School Special Education Paraeducator and John Loos - Show Choir Sponsor
Resignations: John Cain - Superintendent effective June 30, 2027
Transfers: Tracy Everts from Elementary Special Education Paraeducator to Preschool Paraeducator and Janelle Quigley from Preschool Paraeducator to Elementary Special Education Paraeducator
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Iowa Testing Programs Invoice, in the amount of $6,296.90, for Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) 2025-2026. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the depositories at The State Bank of Toledo and Lincoln Savings Bank, with upper limits of $15,000,000 each. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the Tama-Toledo News Chronicle as the official publication. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Avis to approve the first readings of the following policies: 201 - Board of Directors’ Elections, 210.05 - Meeting Notice, 401.01 - Equal Employment Opportunity, 409.02 - Employee Leaves of Absence, 501.12 - Pregnant Students, 501.15 - Open Enrollment-Procedures as a Receiving District, 502.03 - Student Expression and Student Publications Code, 503.01 - Student Conduct, 503.11 - Disruptive Behavior (new), 503.11 R1 - Disruptive Behavior - Removal Procedures (new), 503.11 R2 - Disruptive Behavior - Removal Procedures for Nonviolent Behavior for Students with an IEP (new), 504.06 - Student Activity Program (updated 504.06), 504.06 R1 - Student Activity Program Regulation (new), 507.02 - Administration of Medication to Students, 507.02 E1 - Administration of Medication to Students - Authorization - Asthma, Airway Constricting or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form, 507.02 E3 - Administration of Medication to Students - Parental Authorization and Release Form for Independent Self Carry and Administration of Prescribed Medication or Independent Delivery of Health Services by the Student, 603.01 - Basic Instruction Program, 603.03 - Special Education, 603.06 - Physical Education, 604.01 - Private Instruction, 604.03 - Program for Gifted and Talented Students, 604.03 R1 - Program for Gifted and Talented Students - Regulation (new), 604.05 - Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program, 605.04 - Technology and Instructional Materials, 605.04 E1 - Technology and Instructional Materials - One-to-One Digital Device Program Technology Adoption Checklist (new), 605.07 R1 - Use of Information Resources - Regulation, 605.08 - Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment, 607.01 - Student Guidance and Counseling Program, 710.04 - Meal Charges, 713 - Responsible Technology Use & Social Networking, 804.05 - Stock Prescription Medication Supply, 804.05 E1- Stock Prescription Medication Supply - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration for a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents, 901 - Public Examination of School District Records, 603.04 Multi Cultural/Gender Fair Education (Rescinded), and 603.10 - Global Education (Rescinded). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the first readings of the following policies: 103 - Long-Range Needs Assessment (update), 103 R1 - Long-Range Needs Assessment - Regulation (update), 203 - Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest (update), 505.08 - Parent and Family Engagement District-Wide Policy (Formerly Parental Involvement) (update), 505.08 R1 - Parent and Family Engagement District-Wide Policy (Formerly Parental Involvement) - Building-Level Regulation (update), 506.01 - Education Records Access (update), 701.05 - Fiscal Management (update), 704.03 - Investments (update), 705.01 - Purchasing-Bidding (update), 705.01 R1 - Purchasing-Bidding-Suspension and Debarment of Vendors and Contractors Procedure (update), 705.01 R2 - Purchasing-Bidding-Using Federal Funds in Procurement Contracts (update), 705.04 - Expenditures for a Public Purpose (update), 705.04 R1 - Expenditures for a Public Purpose - Use of Public Funds Regulation (update), 705.05 - Federal Awards Compliance (new), and 706.04 - Time and Effort Reporting (new). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on upcoming events.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 5: 00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama, IA.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 6:06 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Amber Robson, Acting Board Secretary