South Tama School Board- seated- Michelle Yuska, president and Mark McFate, vice president.. (Standing, l-r) Jackie Dvorak, Alan Kline and Penny Tyynismaa. -South Tama Schools photo

South Tama Schools Superintendent Mary Jones reported to the school board on Monday, Nov. 7, the district’s official enrollment increased by 21 students to 1,657 up from 2015 total of 1,636 or a 1.2 percent increase.

Each year the district can apply for on time funding modified supplemental amount for increasing enrollment. As a result of the added student numbers, South Tama may request $138,169 on time funding modified supplemental amount.

The board approved the request.Members Michelle Yuska, Alan Kline, Jackie Dvorak and Penny Tyynismaa voted in favor. Member Mark McFate was absent.

Jones also told board members the district’s increase of seven students for open enrollment out of th district from 2016 compared to 2015, allows the Board to request $19,982 in funding from the Iowa School Budget Review Committee.

Most of the open enrollment, 129 students, go to East Marshall, although Belle Plaine and Garwin-Green Mountain (GMG) are also included.

There are 62 limited English proficient students that have received instruction beyond five years. Board members voted to request modified supplemental amount for limited English proficient instruction in the amount of $90,174.

Personnel

Personnel approved included contracts for Aaron Yuska for 7th Grade Boys Basketball coach effective January, 2017; Nathan Van Dyke for High School Boys Soccer for the 2017 season only starting March, 2017; Jeremy Weirmann for seventh grade girls basketball and Bob Yilek for varsity wrestling. Volunteer Coach Brett Karkosh will help in Varsity Wrestling.

Resignations were accepted from Darvin Graham, Printshop, effective Oct. 28 and Courtney Rivera as Middle School Special Education Aide effective Nov. 3.

Terminations include Rod Kinnison as bus driver effective Oct. 19 and Bill Eberhart as head custodian at the high school, effective Oct. 21.

Vehicle, Equipment Bids

Steve McAdoo, maintenance supervisor, received bids from four dealers on a truck including from Thys Chevrolet, Toledo, Jenson Ford, Marshalltown, Grieder Chevrolet and Billion Chevrolet.

The low bid was Jenson Ford with a bid of $28,313 for a one ton 4×4 single cab truck with an eight foot dump box. This bid was accepted.

McAdoo also had bids on an eight foot plow to install on the new truck. Bids were from Central Iowa Machine Shop and Z Line, Toledo. Z-Line’s bid for $5,224 was the low bid and accepted.

Discussion items included District academic and operational budgetary needs such as an additional ESL teacher at the Middle School, an Elementary and Middle School Computer Lab and New Athletic Lockers in the Block House.

Jones stated when the block house was built the insides were never finished and is badly in need of being remodeled internally.

In other business:

a construction update on the $5.7 million high school addition was received stating starting out, work ran about two weeks behind schedule, but are catching up nicely due to the good weather. Jones said considerable money has been saved because of not having to furnish plastic covering for the section of building being worked on due to the good weather.

board goals discussed included- demonstrating increased academic student achievement in all core areas as measured by the Iowa Assessment, MAP, and other State level criteria. Also, immerse students and staff in a technology rich learning environment (climate and culture). And, Focus on effective communication with all South Tama County Community Schools stakeholder, and to develop and implement a multi-year facility plan.