Mary Jones South Tama Superintendent

On a 5-0 vote the South Tama School Board chose not to renew Superintendent Mary Jones contract on July 1, 2017. Voting to not renew were board members Michelle yuska, Jackie Dvorak, Alan Cline, Penny Tyynismaa and Mark McFate. Tyynismaa made the motion and McFate seconded during the special meeting on Wednesday night, May 3.

Some 40 persons were reported in attendance with seven addressing the board.

Jones has served a superintendent since July of 2015. She replaced Kerri Nelson who resigned to take the superintendent’s post at Shenandoah.

No reason for the action was immediately learned.

The decision to not renew comes on the heels of an announcement last week Jones was reported instrumental in securing a $1 million STEP grant for the South Tama district.

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

Jones is paid $140,000 annually plus benefits according to the school salaries published in the July 22, 2016, legal notice.

The total payroll for the South Tama District for administration, certified staff and support personnel is $10,069,855 according to the notice.