PUBLIC HEARING & 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 September 8, 2026 for a Public Hearing on Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Levy Program at the Partnership Center, Tama, Iowa beginning 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, Michael Avis, and Joe Hanus. Danya Keahna was absent. Quorum present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Amber Robson, Mary Mixdorf, Cheryl Husak, Gerald Husak, Dixie Forcht, Sam Peska, and members of the community through Google Hangouts.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the agenda. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Public Hearing - Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program: President Dolezal opened the Public Hearing for Continued Participation in the Instructional Support Program at 5:00 p.m. President Dolezal asked for public comments.
Gerald Husak asked about the amount and percentage needed to renew the existing levy, and Superintendent Cain explained the levy is based on property tax valuations and, if renewed, may remain in place for up to five years.
Hearing no other comments, President Dolezal asked for a motion to close the Public Hearing at 5:05 p.m.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to close the public hearing. All Ayes. The motion carried.
The regular session was called to order at 5:05 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, Michael Avis, and Joe Hanus. Danya Keahna was absent. Quorum present. Also present were: Superintendent John Cain, Amber Robson, Mary Mixdorf, Cheryl Husak, Gerald Husak, Dixie Forcht, Sam Peska, 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 - No Comments
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the consent agenda as presented. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Sam Peska reviewed the three tiers of attendance support, barriers affecting attendance, and the District’s intervention process. Families are contacted at five absences, with a meeting held at 10 absences. Dolezal requested attendance updates throughout the school year.
The Board reviewed current open positions throughout the District, including teaching, support staff, and coaching vacancies.
The Board reviewed updated U.S. Department of Education guidance regarding constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in public schools. The guidance will also be distributed to principals and teachers as required.
The Board reviewed the search firm proposals, including services, costs, additional fees, and overall approach. Grundmeyer, HYA, and McPherson & Jacobson were discussed as options for further consideration. Board members agreed to rank the firms and submit their rankings to Katie by the end of the week, with the top firms to be reviewed at the next meeting.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on the Elementary indoor air quality (IAQ) investigation and the RSAI survey.
Superintendent Cain and the Board discussed relevant, data-driven instruction, communication with families, staff presentations to the Board, appropriate use of AI, and measuring impact of instructional practices on student achievement.
Superintendent Cain reviewed the process for monitoring student-athlete grades and eligibility, including weekly grade checks and communication with coaches. The Board discussed parent communication, increasing academic rigor and support, and beginning the process in 7th grade.
Superintendent Cain provided updates on the Community Survey, BoardCon 2026, the Iowa League of Cities, and 2026-27 Board presentations.
Motion by Hanus, second by Avis to approve the following personnel requests. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Hires: Sheila Werner - Elementary Kitchen Staff, Cassie Kissinger - Special Education Paraeducator, Myles Eick - Fall Weight Room Supervisor, Laura Wall - Middle School Concession Stand Manager, and Emily Babinat - Elementary Family Liaison
Resignations: Lorna Perkins - Special Education Van Route Driver
Transfer: Jayden Terrill from Middle School 7th Grade Assistant Football Coach to High School Assistant Frosh Coach
Volunteers: Kendall Hersom - Driver for Band
Officials: Sandy Bergman - Middle School Volleyball
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the high school anticipated fundraisers for the 2026-2027 school year. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the resolution to continue participation in the Instructional Support Levy Program. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to table the selection of a search firm until the next meeting to allow Board members to compile their preferences and determine whether to invite firms to provide presentations. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Avis to approve the selling of Really Great Reading and McGraw-Hill Social Studies used textbooks that are no longer in use). All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Avis to approve additional compensation of $2,500 for the semester for a general education teacher managing IEPs. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the proposed distribution of the 2026-2027 Educational Support Personnel Salary Supplement allocation of $19,885 to eligible regular and part-time employees who are not salaried, using the criteria outlined, with attendance calculated through November 30, 2026, and payment made on the December 18, 2026 paycheck. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Avis to approve Special Education Delivery Plan. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve Project Lead the Way quote, in the amount of $5,486.50, for Gateway curriculum materials. This will be paid for out of the Mansfield Grant. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hanus, second by Avis to approve the CDW Amplified quote, in the amount of $27,405.00, to be paid over three years, for Google Workspace Education Plus licenses. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hopper, second by Hanus to approve the first reading of the following policies: 509 - Essential Oils, Herbs or Supplements and 510 - Bed Bugs. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to approve the fourth reading of the following policies: 604.03 R1 - Program for Gifted and Talented Students - Regulation (new), 804.05 - Stock Prescription Medication Supply, and 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. All Ayes. The motion carried.
Superintendent Cain provided an update on upcoming District events and community activities.
Each Board member presented a “positive” they have witnessed in the District or their role as a Board member.
Hopper suggested exploring partially self-funded health insurance and reviewing the pros and cons of iPad use in the early grades, including District expectations and input from the Technology Committee and elementary staff.
The next regular Board meeting will be on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 5: 00 p.m., at the Partnership Center, Tama, IA.
Motion by Hanus, second by Hopper to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Elizabeth Dolezal, Board President Amber Robson, Acting Board Secretary