TAMA NEWS-HERALD- During a special South Tama School Board session following a public hearing, board members voted 5-0 to approve the start of the 2009-10 school year on Aug. 20 (designated as Option A). New STC staff will receive orientation on Aug. 10 and 11 with staff development to begin on Aug. 12.

The board met on Monday afternoon, May 4, to hold the hearing on starting school prior to Sept. 1. The Iowa Code requires the school to hold a public hearing in order to proceed starting school at an earlier date. No one was present for the public hearing.

The district calendar committee helped develop recommendations for the 2009-10 school year. Also, a teacher survey was completed which indicated support for the Calendar listed as Option A. Three options were offered.

Superintendent Kerri Nelson told board members each option would impact certain individuals, but felt the Option A was the best all around plan. With school beginning on Aug. 20, the last day of school will be May 28, barring any make up days due to weather. Two days were scheduled in for make-up days if needed on Feb. 19 and April 6.

Named Elementary

Principal

Jim Bugge, Tama, will be the new principal at the South Tama Elementary School. He will replace Terry Eisenbarth who resigned to accept a similar position at Keosaqua.

Bugge has 15 years experience and comes from the BGM school district.

Supt. Nelson told board members they had 20 applicants and interviewed six persons. The two finalists met with two board members, parents, teachers and community representatives.

Bugge was considered to be the best all-around qualified applicant. Bugge's wife, Susan, has been guidance counselor at the South Tama Middle School for six years. The couple has two adult children.

A contract was also approved was for Kirby Landstrom for high school math teacher.

Resignations were received from Angie Bair, concessions manager, Bob Graham, 6th grade math teacher, George Corum as assistant varsity track coach pending suitable replacement, and Julie Bartsch, Middle School English as a second language teacher.

Chelsea Demolition

Three bids were received for the Chelsea Building demolition. Dostal Construction, Toledo, bid $38,313, Hatch Grading and Contracting, Dysart, bid of $37,500 and Oberbreckling Excavation, Winthrop bid at $34,745.

The board voted to accept the lowest bid, after receiving assurance the company had all details of the project requirements and date of completion.

Beverage Contract

Athletic Director Eric Reis has worked with Pepsi America for an exclusive vendor contract that would begin July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2014. The contract covers all beverages sold and distributed by Pepsi and any beverages Pepsi might sell or distribute in the future.

At least 50 percent of the brands shall consist of milk, light juice, juice and sports drinks in services of 12 ounces or less and shall meet the criteria of fat-free or low fat milk and nutritionally equivalent per USDA milk alternatives.

100 percent juice with no added sweeteners and no more than 120 calories per 8 ounce serving and at least 10 percent of the daily value for at least three micro nutrients (calcium, vitamins, iron).

Light juices and sports drinks with no more than 66 calories per eight ounce serving. These guidelines do not apply to school related events where parents and other adults are a significant part of an audience or are selling beverages as boosters during intermission as well as immediately before or after the event.

During this term of five years Pepsi will pay a sponsorship to customer at a rate of $2 ($1.75 school rate and 25 cents donation rate) per 20 ounce case and one dollar on 12-ounce Gatorade for all non full service cases. Sponsorship is based on a 24-unit case. Pepsi reserves the right to increase product prices up to six percent per year during the term

Medicaid claims service agreement with Timberline Billing Service currently has Timberline doing all the Medicaid claims for schools with AEA 267, but is currently contracted with AEA 267, not with the individual schools. A new contract would be between South Tama and Timberline, eliminating the AEA middle step. This would be a two year term beginning July 1, 2009 and run through June 30, 2011. The cost is six percent of the claims, but the service in invaluable for sifting through the myriad of requirements associated with Medicaid claims.

Linda Rosenberger, executive director of Tama County Public Health and Home Care, was present with a report on the H1N1 Flu virus. Rosenberger said many rumors are passing, however there has not been a positive case in Tama County to date. Rosenberger passed out information sheets auto what to look for and how to help prevent contacting the virus. Several individuals have been tested, but no positive results have been found.

In other business the second reading of several Board policy updates were read. These covered graduation requirements, use of a credit card, Internal controls (a new policy) Expenditures for public purposes (new policy) and discrimination and harassment. The third and final reading will be at the next meeting.

The next meeting is May 18, and will start at 4:30 P.M. The early start is due to the many school activities taking place this time of year.