“Portable” classrooms installed on the southwest side of the South Tama High School campus in 1987 are believed to have outlived their ability to be used. Chronicle photos/John Speer

Two portable buildings housing classrooms at the South Tama High School are believed to have outlived their reliability or usefulness and are in need of replacement the South Tama School Board has learned.

Superintendent Mary Jones outlined a proposed schedule to build a wing containing 8 – 12 classrooms on the high school building.

Under the plan, if adopted, the Design and Development phase would be scheduled for September and October of this year; Working Drawing Process in November, December 2015 and January 2016; January and February, for bidding and negotiations with a February 2016, date for a contract with the contractor and beginning construction.; March, 2016 to May 2017 for the demolition of the existing portables and construction of the new project with the project completed by May, 2017, before the 2017-18 school year.

Jones told the The Chronicle the board is planning on using sales tax revenue for the project and “will not be asking the voters for additional funds.”

Board members Anne Michael, Jackie Dvorak, Mark McFate and Alan Kline present were present for the Aug. 17 meeting with member Michelle Yuska absent.

a portable classroom at South Tama High School.

Personnel

Contracts were approved on Monday for Rod Kinnison for bus driver effective Aug.15 at a salary of $28.85 per hour after probationary period and Sarah Novotny as high school special education aide, also effective Aug. 15, at a salary of $10.91 hourly.

Volunteer coaches approved were Mike Stein for Football, effective Aug. 15, Travis Smith for middle school assistant wrestling , effective November, 2015, Lynette Benda for girls tennis, effective March, 2016 and Dave Chizek for soccer effective May, 2016.

Resignations accepted were for Allison Kinnison, bus driver, effective Aug. 5; Jim Plantz , Assistant 7th grade football coach, effective Aug. 3; and Bryan Anderson for assistant varsity baseball coach effective Aug. 10.

Continue Iowa Valley Community College Agreements

South Tama Superintendent Mary Jones

Approval was voted for the Iowa Valley Community College contracted service agreements A and B Section A says the College will provide through the use of its own professional staff who will have been screened and selected by the College in consultation with School District, instruction in the college course as identified in the current college catalog . Students who satisfactorily complete the course will earn such number of college credit hours as set forth on Appendix A. The schedules cost of the classes is $135 per credit per student for non-internet coursework and $146 per credit per student for Internet coursework, $199 per credit per student for WEL courses,(within Welding program).

Section B states the College will make available to the School District to purchase the necessary textbooks and materials for the course, to make available to the instructor of the course the course syllabus, and assessments for the classes being taught, will send enrollment lists and midterm grade reports to the school district and request verification of any students missing from the list or any students who should be removed. The contract will be in effect for the 2015-2016 academic year, but may be terminated at the end of the first semester by either party giving the other party thirty days prior written notice of termination.

In other business the school board:

approved the second reading of the Wellness Policy No. 630.55. The Wellness Policy covers nutrition education, physical activity, CPR Certification, Food Service including all foods and beverages sold individually outside the reimbursable meal programs, including those sold through a la carte lines, vending machines, student stores or fundraising activities during the school day or after school activities.

Any food or beverages used as awards, rewards, or incentives must meet the guidelines set out by the Wellness Policy.

the final reading of the Technology Policy (1.1) was read and approved. This covers the privacy issue of the iPad or laptop provided the student, the use of the internet and what happens if the policy is violated South Tama County schools use of an internet filtering system to block inappropriate material in accordance with Federal Law, the use of the software, printing, consequences of violations, and computer care. The iPads are on loan from the school and need to be taken care of properly.

approved was the Special Education Delivery Plan for 2015. The delivery system was developed in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code rule 41.408 (2) C. The group of individuals who developed the system included parents of eligible individuals, special education teachers, general education teachers, administrators, and at least one representative of the AEA (Area Education Administration). These include Amy Knupp, AEA Representative, Special Education teachers Laurie Baack, Nate Doran, Karen Mixdorf, General Education Teacher Joy Schirmer, Parents Marcia Hoskey, Stephanie Babinet, and Kelly Vesely, High School Principal Roy Frakes, Superintendent Mary Jones, Elementary Assistant Principal Stacy Stull, and Eric Townsley from the Middle School.

Brian Petullo was present to discuss middle school officials fees . Petullo made the proposal to the board to raise the middle school officials pay to $65. Currently the pay for middle school officials is $60. All the other schools in the West Division of the Wamac Conference pays $65 to $70. This covers football, basketball, volleyball and wrestling. Petullo explained this would help keep good officials for South Tama. The board agreed to the proposal.

Excellence awards were presented to Stacy Stull, elementary principal, in recognition of her dedication and support for the School Administrators of Iowa and Dan Lopez, high school guidance counselor for being recognized by Iowa Valley Community College District as the Ambassador of the Year.