Brad Schweppe

Brad Schweppe was approved Monday night, May 7, to fill the South Tama Elementary School principal post beginning Aug. 1. He will replace Stacy Stull who has resigned to accept a position with the Clear Creek-Amana schools. Schweppe has been serving as principal of Waterloo Lincoln Elementary.

His hiring was recommended by incoming South Tama Superintendent Jared Smith and staff Superintendent Jeff Berger said. Approval was on an unanimous voice vote with members Ron Houghton, Mandy Lekin, Jackie Dvorak, Alan Kline and Penny Tyynismaa present.

Schweppe will be paid $100,000 annually according to South Tama Business Manager Mary Boege.

“I am honored and excited to serve the students, staff, and parents of South Tama County Community School District,” Schweppe is quoted in an announcement to South Tama staff made by incoming Superintendent Jared Smith.

The information provided said Schweppe has been a principal in the Waterloo School District for the past 15 years. He is a graduate of Iowa State University, Ames and received a Masters degree from Stephen F. Austin.

Prior to serving in Waterloo he was a teacher and assistant principal in the line Independent School District in Houston, Texas.

Schweppe lives in Reinbeck with his wife Ellen and three children: Max 18, Alex 16, and Sophia 11.

Position Dropped

Board members voted to eliminate the position of director of special education held by Kym Stein and to create a director of curriculum and student services post.

This position will include special education duties as well as curriculum and equity. The board also approved posting an added middle school special education teaching position.

Berger noted the Iowa Code requires the special education position to be administrative.

He also reported the district special education student numbers currently total 150 with decreases in middle and high school of five students each since February and a gain of one student at the elementary.

Although directors Houghton and Lekin said they preferred more information on pay and a better definition of “part-time” the board, by voice vote, unanimously chose to post a position of part-time activities director.

Scott Bolen and Brent Bagnall now hold the posts- Bolen for the middle school and Bagnall for the high school. There are also three seasonal coordinators and a secretary with duties in the activities area which includes both sports and fine arts.

In additional personnel matters: Morgan McFate was hired for the middle school Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) position beginning in August; transfers beginning in August were approved for Zoe Clark from 3rd grade to kindergarten teacher; Paula Miller from 8th grade science to 6th grade science; Tracy Clark from custodial to print shop, school mail deliveries and custodial duties effective immediately; and Robert McBain as volunteer assistant soccer coach effective immediately; and Shirlene Squires resignation from middle school food service. effective May 24 was approved.

Model teachers for the TLC program for 2018-19 school year recommended by the Site Council members including Teresa Hofer, Jill Dilly, Liz Weitzell and Michelle Bradley and building administrators and approved by the board are: elementary- Steve Bearden, Melody Cole, Melissa Jesina and Marilyn Rippy; middle school- Paul Miller, Ashley Raue, Ashley Steven and Amy Stotts; and high school- Chelsea Ahrens, Victoria Hamilton, Audrey Roth and Danny Mayo.

The board also approved the TLC Leadership Handbook prepared by Dolores Ryan for the 2018-19 school year.

Parking Lot Purchase

A proposal by adjoining property owner Brenda Jackson to purchase the parking lot on East 9th Street across from the former South Tama Primary School site was tabled.

Superintendent Berger was directed to obtain more information on the process from the district school board attorney.

The parking lot previously had Tama’s emergency warning siren located in the northwest corner.

A new siren replaced it and was put into service at a location one block away at the Tama Skate Board Park at 9th and McClellan.

In other business:

The board met in the Elementary School Library and heard presentations from guidance counselor and toured the elementary building at the conclusion of the meeting with Principal Stacy Stull noting the building g is now 10 years old.

board members received a certificate recognizing their service with May being Iowa School Board month.

approved n Indian Impact Aid policy revision which Superintendent Berger said incorporated the district’s policies and procedures already in place with little change.

approved a memorandum of agreement with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa at a cost totaling $2,400.