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Lunch price hike, 2017-18 calendar are set by South Tama School Board

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

The South Tama School Board met Monday evening, May 8, at the Professional Learning Room at the Partnership in Tama. Board members present were Michelle Yuska, Mark McFate, Penny Tyynismaa, and Jackie Dvorak, Alan Kline being absent. More than 30 persons were present for the meeting.

In order for the South Tama Lunch Service to participate in the Federal Nutrition Program the district must continue to increase lunch prices to the weighted average price equal to or about $2.75. South Tama’s average is now $2.66. The increase recommended is 10 cents. The district cannot increase to this amount in one year so the increase will be All grades breakfast from $1.75 to $1.85. Adult breakfasts from $2.00 to $2.10.Lunch increases will be for Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten through 4th) from $2.60 to $2.70, Secondary (5th thru 12th grade) from $2.70 to $2.80. Adults from $4.00 to $4.10. Milk will stay the same at $0.45 per carton.

School Calendar Set

Last meeting the South Tama School Calendar for 2017-2018 was tabled so changes could be made. The new calendar was viewed and approved. The first day of school being August 23. Early out days fall on Wednesdays letting school out one hour early. Holidays include Sept. 4, Nov. 22,23,24 for Thanksgiving, December 25,26,27,28,29, and January 1, 2 for Christmas vacation, March 30 and April 2 for Easter vacation and May 28 for Memorial Day.

Personnel

Contracts were approved for Natasha Becker and Marin Verhulst as 4th grade teachers effective Aug. 14.

Transfers included Amy Wade from m idle school behavior interventionist to middle school special education BD. Jordan Paulson from 3rd grade teacher to preschool, Molly McCreary from elementary special education to 3rd Grade and Matthew Beatty from 4th Grade to elementary ELL.

Resignations approved were for Rachel Davis as high school head large group speech coach, Jim Miller as preschool and Alisha Carr as ELL teachers, all effective at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.

Also before the board on Monday:

discussion items included the Special Education Deficit Spending. Mary Boege, business affairs manager, said the number of special education students are increasing but funding is not increasing. More discussion of the funding is planned by the board.

a public hearing for the school budget was set for Monday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Professional Learning Center at the Partnership Center, 215 West 9th Street, Tam

it was announced a breakfast honoring the retiring staff at South Tama, will be held at t he South Tama High School Gym on Friday, May 26. Those retiring include Ruth Sjostrom, Deb Lacina, Kim Nelson, Kevin Nelson and Brenda Husak. All persons from the STC Education Association, school board and STC Administration have been invited. At the breakfast employee service awards will also be presented.

Superintendent Mary Jones presented the Superintendent’s Excellence Award to Deloris Ryan and Marilyn Rippy. These two teachers were nominated by the Iowa State Education Association for 2017.

the AEA Purchasing Agreement for 2017-2018 was approved. The AEA Purchasing Agreement is an entity formed by a 28E Agreement between the South Tama School District and the AEA Purchasing Food service Division of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jones presented the Summer Food Service program to the Board of Education stating this would be offered from June 5 to July 7. The board approved unanimously.

an update on the construction of the new division was given by board member Penny Tyynismaa who had toured the area. Tyynismaa was pleased with the results so far including the furniture that has been added up to now.