Members of the South Tama School Board are (l-r, front) Michelle Yuska, president and Mark McFate, vice president. (L-r, back) Jackie Dvorak, Allan Kline and Penny Tyynismaa. In the Sept. 8 school election McFate and Dvorak were reelected and Tyynismaa was elected to fill the post held by Anne Michael who did not seek another term. Photo/Darvin Graham

The South Tama School Board met in special session on Monday evening and heard Supt. Mary Jones present a review on school district data on academic achievement performance.

The High School performance in reading was at 69.1 percent, middle school at 67.1 percent and elementary at 67.3, the state average being at 67.8 percent.

Math performance for the High School was at 76 per cent, middle school at 77.5 percent and elementary at 74.7 percent with the state average being at 76.8 percent.

Science for the High School was at 76 percent, middle school at 71.7 percent and elementary at 75.3 percent with the state average at 75 per cent.

Jones discussed ways to improve the rating of South Tama’s scores with board members.

The South Tama School District continued to be included on the state list of school districts in need of assistance in the latest federal No Child Left Behind report. A total of 50 districts were listed as in need of assistance following the 1914-15 school year.

That measure has come under fire in recent years from school officials and it was announced in late September the State Board of Education was beginning the process to adopt new state assessment tests.

Personnel

Kim Gardner was terminated from her district payroll post with an effective date of Sept. 28. Board members voted to remove her authorization to sign district checks.

Contracts were approved for Shannon Feisel who was middle school special education aide, for the position of elementary special education aide, effective Sept. 21, at a rate of $10.11 per hour with her hours increased to seven hours; and Amy Wyatt, SES Director, at a salary of $5,400.

A resignation was accepted from Maria Cervantes who was elementary bilingual aide.

New High School Addition

Supt. Jones also discussed the Facility Communication Plan for the building addition for the high school. Jones said methods to communicate would be an open house at the high school, visiting with the Chamber of Commerce, Tama and Toledo city councils, Kiwanis and the Meskwaki Tribe.

Jones says she would be willing to discuss the plan with any groups.

A cost estimate for the work which would add classrooms is $5,585,919. The proposed new addition is aimed at replacing portable classroom buildings in use since 1987.

In other business:

Jones told the board she was very proud of the students and the public the night of homecoming. Jones said she felt the students were very well behaved, and was proud of the band, parade and all of the homecoming activities.

School Board member Alan Kline will represent the South Tama County Board of Education as a delegate to the Iowa Association of School Boards which will be held the week of Oct. 20.