WORKSESSION

OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE

COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SOUTH TAMA COUNTY

 

 

The Board of Directors of the Community School District of South Tama County met in the Administrative Office, Tama, Iowa on October 02, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

 

On call of the roll the following were present:         Alan Upah-Board Chairman

Donald Wacha-Vice Chairman                                                Jackie Dvorak-Board Member

Margaret Kubik-Board Member

                                                                                  Ron Hala-Board Member

                                                                                  Mark Fetter-Board Secretary

 

Others present: Larry Molacek, Greg Darling, Jill Tracy, Terry Eisenbarth, Cecilia McDonald, Katie Jimenez, Elaine Gibson, Cathy DeBondt, Sue Schafer, Tim Downs, Joyce Wiese from the local newspaper and other interested citizens.

 

Motioned by Kubik, second by Dvorak to approve the agenda as published with the addition of old and new business. All ayes.

 

Motioned by Kubik, second by Wacha to approve the bills as presented. All ayes.

 

Elementary Points of Pride:

The Elementary school administration and staff have implemented a Hispanic Parent Night. The first Parent Night occurred on September 25, 2006, with approximately 30 students and parents attending. The staff welcomed the parents, showed them the student’s room, and provided general educational curriculum information all in Spanish. The plans are to continue the Parent night throughout the school year.

 

It was reported that the Elementary School is implementing a Parent Involvement/ Volunteer Program. The Volunteer Committee met during the week of September 18, to receive staff input and comments. The volunteer committee will be attending 3 sessions sponsored by A.E.A. 267 to help them with the implementation of a successful volunteer program.

The Elementary school administration and teachers provided information about the 6 pillars of Character Counts Program that is being used at the school. The teachers believe for a student to be successful in the workplace, they need to be taught life skills or recognize the following life skills such as, honesty, character, achievement, effort, teamwork, respect, and responsibility. The teachers also said to successfully implement the program into the classrooms that all parents, staff and administration have to also demonstrate good life skills and be actively involved.

 

Elementary School Update:

Mr. Molacek provided the construction budget report. As of 9/21/06, there was $154,985.01 remaining in the budget with change orders of $23,794.09 pending. It was reported that a sidewalk has been installed on school property along Country Club Drive. A cement pad measuring 46 X 50 has been installed to support the new playground equipment and protective rubber mating. The school board discussed adding additional parking space north of the existing parking lot. It was reported that the school district has received a grant from Alliant energy for the purchase of trees for the Elementary School.

Tim Downs’s Maintenance/ Bus Director distributed a copy of the early morning city bus shuttle schedule to the school board and reported the number of daily riders.

 

 

Old/New Business:

Board Member Margo Kubik reported that she has received calls from several community members asking when the Little Theatre is going to be enlarged and updated. It was also stated that the temporary modular unit were only suppose to last 10 years and that they have been used for more then 20 years already. She would like to determine what could be done to improve the theatre and eliminate the modular units. She also asked if the ACT report that the School Board received had also been provided to the teaching staff? Mr. Molacek stated he believed so but he will check with Mr. Burr.

 

Superintendent’s Report:

Mr. Molacek reported that the School District has received notification from the State of the amount of Teacher Compensation money that will be provided. The teacher’s association and administration is in the process of allocation of those monies to the teachers. As soon as that is done, it will be distributed to them.

Mr. Molacek read a letter from Richard Wulkow, Executive Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Roger Barr, Director of Officials who wanted to congratulate the players, coaches, and spectators for their sportsmanship exhibited during and after the South Tama and Waterloo Columbus game on 9/8/06. Roger Barr stated he was the line judge for the game. He stated that even though South Tama lost the triple overtime game, he was impressed by their behavior and actions.

Setting a date for the dedication of the New Elementary School was discussed. It was mentioned that it might be best to wait until after everything is finished and the grass is growing before having a dedication. By consensus, it was agreed to have the dedication sometime in the spring. A hearing date to hear Oral Arguments in regard to the Rambo case has not been set, but should be in the near future. Donald Wacha mentioned that he had seen Cross Country runners running along and crossing Highway 30. Mr. Wacha asks why do they need to run along the Highway. Mr. Molacek was asked to look into the situation. General discussion followed.

 

 

Motioned by Dvorak, second by Wacha to adjourn at 9:20 p.m. All ayes.

 

 

 

________________________________                  ______________________________________

Alan Upah, Board President Date                       Mark Fetter, Board Secretary Date