1. The school board held a regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Feb. 15 virtually due to weather. The school board discussed the stop signs that were placed near 15th Street and 9th Street this year to help with students’ crossings at busy intersections.

The school board has been trying to determine if the stop signs are needed or if the school should pursue something more permanent such as a stop light.

Steve McAdoo is working with a company to get quotes on an over the road stop light at the two crosswalk locations.

Penny Tyynismaa, school board president, questioned if a stop light would be needed at Ninth Street since the Partnership Building will not house the middle school next year. The middle school has been utilizing the Partnership Building for 6th, 7th and 8th grade due to damage sustained from the August derecho at the Middle School building in Toledo. The middle school students will be moving back to the middle school building in Toledo next year.

2. The school board discussed COVID-19 protocols. Superintendent Jared Smith informed the school board South Tama will continue with a mask mandate. Governor Kim Reynolds had lifted mask mandates for the state a few weeks ago.

STC students and staff will be required to wear masks unless they are eating breakfast or lunch or if staff are in their rooms alone.

STC has partnered with Tama County Public Health and they are almost through the first round of vaccines for staff. The district organized a list of staff in which the oldest staff members received the vaccine first and then they were able to work down the staff list to the youngest staff members.

Smith estimated that 10-15% of the staff are not getting the vaccination due to various reasons. One of the biggest reasons is the concern surrounding female staff that have either had a baby or are planning to have a baby. There are some unknowns surrounding the vaccine according to Smith.

The Moderna vaccination which is being given in Tama County is believed to be effective against the UK strand of the virus that is currently in Iowa.

3. The school board approved the re-opening of early retirement as there were a couple of staff who had expressed interest in early retirement due to health concerns.

4. A student council update was provided by Morgan Haughey. The high school is going to continue the tradition of seniors asking a staff member of their choice to hand them their diploma at graduation.

The high school participated in Kindness Day on Feb. 17. Student council handed out hot chocolate. Thank you cards and you matter cards were made. The goal was to make sure students are seen, heard and loved.

Personnel:

The board approved hiring Emily Chyma as head girls track and field coach and Mariah Slyer as a Middle School Special Education teacher.

The board approved two transfers including Betty Bonilla from 2nd grade to Elementary ELL and Amy Stewart from 1st grade to Elementary Title 1.

The board approved two resignations including Dan Mayo from high school assistant football coach and Jeri Ellenbecker from concession stand manager.

In other business

•STC Instructional coaches presented to the board about Pear Deck and Google Meets which are an online curriculum resources

• School board member Mandy Lekin asked if the school was still paying for the hot spots and if they have been returned. Smith said that he believes a year’s worth of data was purchased.