Resignations from three coaching positions were accepted and an elementary hiring was approved by the South Tama School Board on 4-0 voice votes Monday night, Jan. 20, in a light business session.

Those leaving coaching positions are Moises Fonseca, assistant high school soccer, Hailee Weiss LS softball, freshman, and Steve Chyma, assistant 8th grade football.

Angelica Gomez was hired as a half-time special education paraprofessional for pre-kindergarten.

Voting favor were members Mandy Lekin, Eric Werner, Ron Houghton and Alan Kline.

Member Penny Tyynismaa was absent.

First readings of board policies on school vehicle seat belt use and district business procedures were also approved.

In a change in Iowa law, all new school busses must be equipped with safety seat belts for all passengers. It was noted the district school bus fleet has no buses equipped with belts and installation is not required under the new law.

A new bus ordered before the deadline will also not be required to be seatbelt equipped under provisons of the new law, although District 1 Director Ron Houghton, Toledo, suggested this as an alternative during the Monday night session.

The school District policy includes rosenbuschite for bus driveins to instruct students they must fasten their seat belts before departure and there will be twice annual school bus safety drills for students.

A provision is also made for disciplinary action for students who repeatedly refuse to fasten their seat belts.

The business procedure section is introduced with statements” the board of directors recognizes that its primary purpose is to provide the best education possible” given the curriculum and finances available. It also says the board “recognizes its deep responsibility for the efficient use of public funds and reporting to the public.”

The in-depth policy covers aspects of finance from budget matters, to income, donation,s purchases and employee pay to internal controls.

The board also approved the request of STC High School Thespian Troupe 1038 to host the Thespian statewide Leadership Day on Aug. 20. The event was hosted here in 2019.