Ryan Wise,?director of the Iowa Department of Education, along with South Tama school Board President Michelle Yuska, Supt. Mary Jones and High School Principal Roy Frakes observe a match class taught by Ian Tayner in a portable classroom at the high school in Tama. Wise toured South Tama schools in October as part of his effort to visit all public schools in the state. Chronicle file photos/John Speer

Nick Hildebrandt, a Struxture Architects, Waterloo, representative, proposed a series of changes to the South Tama High School in Tama during a presentation to the STC?School Board on Monday night, Jan.18. Replacement of the four portable classrooms which are 29-years -old continues to head the list. Members Michelle Yuska, Mark McFate, Penny Tyynismaa, Alan Kline and Jackie Dvorak were all present.

In addition, Hildebrandt recommended remodeling some of the present rooms. There would be a change in the entryway, a new back entrance, changes to the office, library, a new band room of considerable size, two new bathrooms, an elevator and more

The board has already committed to a plan for a nine-classroom addition of 17,515 square feet. In October, 2015, this was estimated to have construction costs of $4,334,025.00 with a cost of $200,000 for site demolition and elevation a 10 percent contingency of $453,403 and 17 percent development for a total project cost of $5,585,919..

Board members are still discussing the amount of change they are willing to accept. Hildebrandt told the group it was important for them to make a decision soon as they should get started on the project if they wanted to complete it for the 2016-2017 school term.

Hildebrandt gave figures Monday night for several different scenarios. The total project appears now to be set at $7,642,084.

Exterior view of portable classrooms.

Roger Wacha, Jr., rural Toledo, was present with several questions as why the cost increased from $5,000,000 to $7,000,000 (approximate figures). Wacha also wondered where the money was coming from, if the school was borrowing money for the project and how much. Wacha also wondered if there would be a vote by the people of Tama County on the bond. No immediate answers were given.

After Hildebrandt’s presentation, Superintendent Mary Jones said there would not be a vote by the people as it was not required.

She also stated they would borrow money from SAVE, option sales tax. This could be up to $120,000 a month going up through 2022. Jones assured those present there would be no increase in property tax.

Jones also said it was important to make some improvements if students were to get a good education. The most important change is the portables which are considered an unsafe area for students to be having classes. Hildebrandt says there is areas where he feels a person could put their fist through the wall if they so chose. In the remodeled and added on section there would be air conditioning.

Middle School Progress

Ben Adams STC?Middle School principal, gave a middle school literacy update showing the progress of the 5th through 8th grade students. This covered reading mathematics and science.

The results shows improvements. However ,Jones said they are still working on more ways for more improvement.

Jones said he feels they are on the right track in making improvement in all students, and says the teaching faculty will be working hard with students hoping to see more improvement. Their goal is to help each and every student to achieve the necessary goals set out for their particular subjects.

In other business Monday the board approved bills for payment in the amount of $532,824. They included $355,346 from the General Fund, $25,334 from the Activity Fund, $115,458 from the Capital Projects fund, $13,043 from PPEL, $4874 from Agency Funds, $18,767.99 from Food Service for the total of $532,824