For the first STC school board meeting in many months, all five directors were present at roll call. Discussion on Monday included the community’s first ideas as to what the former South Tama Middle School that sits on South Green Street in Toledo may be used for.

During Superintendent John Cain’s “News n Notes” section of his superintendent update, an update was given to the board and public.

“We do have a purchase agreement with an individual for the middle school property,” he said. “We’ve been working with an investor out of Missouri, who has expressed interest in the property and made his bid in that window of time in the spring.”

As he continued his update, Cain shared what the property’s purpose would be if sold.

“The direction they’re really going is a children’s home, in the community. We’ve met with the City of Toledo representatives, and they are in favor,” Cain said. “We’re really seeing how that can bring jobs into the community as well as be a safe haven for children who are outside our community and eventually attend South Tama.”

Later in the meeting, the board approved setting a public hearing for Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. on the sale of the old middle school property. The agreement requires the facility to be operational by 2030, or the property would be gifted back to the district.

The board continued discussing the district’s early retirement policy after gathering staff feedback. Discussion centered on how to prioritize applicants if more employees seek early retirement than the district can accommodate. Board members voiced support for a system that weighs age and consecutive years of service in South Tama, with tie-breakers applied if necessary.

The board also indicated support for maintaining the current requirement of 15 consecutive years of service. No decision was made on whether early retirement will be offered this year. The board is waiting on official enrollment and financial data expected later this fall that will help guide a decision for the school district.

After several remarks pointed at her previous absence throughout the meeting, Megan Thiessen thanked the board and community.

“I want to say thank you guys for your support the last few months. I know I’ve been absent as it’s been very widely known. I appreciate your guys’ understanding these last two and a half months. Our community has been nothing but amazing to us, so I appreciate that,” she said. At 6:30, with a motion the board went into closed session to discuss property sales. The next board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13.