SPECIAL SESSION

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 April 02, 2007 at 7:40 p.m.

 

On call of the roll the following were present:    Alan Upah

                                                                        Donald Wacha

                                                                        Margaret Kubik

                                                                        Ron Hala

                                                                        Jackie Dvorak-Absent

Quorum present.

 

Others present: Larry Molacek, Greg Darling, Mark Fetter, Sue Schafer, Mike Wedmore, Dan Lopez, Bryan Ellenbecker, Ron Lowe, Bryan Valline, Teresa Vodochodsky, Joyce Wiese from the local newspaper and approximately 50 other interested citizens.

 

Moved by Kubik, seconded by Wacha, to approve the agenda as presented except for the moving of the public comment from the eighth item on the agenda to the fourth item on the agenda, and approve changing the location of the meeting to accommodate the public members. All ayes.

 

Moved by Kubik, seconded by Hala to move the meeting from the admistrative office to the High School theatre do to the large number of citizens present for the meeting. All ayes.

 

President Alan Upah opened the meeting to public comment at the High School Theater.

 

Public Comments:

A group of approximately 50 individuals were present at the meeting to voice a variety of concerns ranging from: condition of the High School tennis courts, bad teachers, poor student achievement, staff afraid of reprimand from administration, state site visit evaluation, poor communication between administration/teachers/public, losing good teachers, need for a district advisory committee, teen pregnancy, dress code not enforced, drug use being ignored, toilet paper penalty more severe then drug penalty, teachers/administration not being held accountable, need to keep good teachers, bullying, bussing concerns, too many staff development days and other concerns. Comments were also made commending the job that the Elementary Principal and staff were doing at the Elementary School.

Upon completion, Board President Alan Upah thanked the group for voicing their concerns.

He stated that their concern and recommendation would be looked into.

The school board returned to the Administrative office to complete the agenda.

 

Charlotte Upah, Area Education Agency 267 representative, stated that the increase in funding for the AEA comes from the State of Iowa.

 

Moved by Kubik, seconded by Hala, to approve the 03/19/2007 regular session minutes, financial reports, and bills as presented. All ayes.

 

Moved by Kubik, seconded by Wacha to open the 2007-2008-budget hearing. All ayes.

Greg Darling, Business Manager provided the school board a copy of the proposed budget and tax rate proposal. He stated that the proposed tax rate is $13.11 per thousand of valuation. The proposed rate is the same as last year. Hearing no public comment the school board accepted the budget and proposed tax rate.

 

Moved by Kubik, seconded by Wacha to approve the 2007-2008 School Budget. All ayes.

 

 

Moved by Kubik, seconded by Hala, to approve the following resignations and contracts as presented:

Resignations:

A.             Penny Dolezal:             High School Food Service

B.             David Nitz:                    Sophomore Boys Basketball

 

New Contracts or Hires:

A.         Matt Skyberg:               High School Custodian

All Ayes.

 

Moved by Wacha, seconded by Hala to accept the 2005-2006-audit report. All Ayes.

 

Moved by Wacha, seconded by Hala to contract with Pro Environmental of Des Moines to remove the asbestos from the Primary building in Tama prior to demolishing. All ayes.

 

Moved by Hala, seconded by Wacha to approve early graduation for Erica Branan and Megan McAdoo. All ayes.

 

Middle School gym floor resurfacing bids were presented. Action was tabled until after the School board facility site evaluation tour on April 16, 2007.

 

Moved by Wacha, seconded by Hala, to advertise the 1993 Plymouth Voyager van for sale to the general public. In the event that it doesn’t sell then dispose of the vehicle by selling as salvage. All ayes.

 

Routine action Items: None

 

Discussion Items:

Received a letter from the Autonomous Learning Model Group. They have requested an overnight trip 5/25/07 to Villisca. They are requested approval for dismissal one hour early. The school board had no opposition to the trip as long as approval is giving by their parents and their last class teacher.

Mr. Molacek mentioned that he has received calls from individual wanting a brick or two from the Primary School after it is demolished. School Board felt that would be acceptable.

 

Old/new business:

The School board received a letter from Charlene Applegate, Treasurer for the South Tama County Food Pantry and Community Clothes Closet expressing appreciation that the South Tama School Board voted to abate the real estate property taxes for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.

 

Superintendent’s Report:

Mr. Molacek stated that Volunteer Appreciation Week is 4/16-20/07. South Tama will be honoring 45 volunteers with a certificate and gift at the Elementary School on 4/20/07 during the schools assembly that day.

 

Closed session to review and discuss High School Principal Candidates. Tabled until a later date.

 

Moved by Wacha, seconded by Kubik, to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. All ayes.

 

Next meeting scheduled for 04/16/2007 at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

 

________________________________                    ______________________________________

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