CONTRIBUTED PHOTO | After the conclusion of the meeting the School Board took a photo to show their new, full board after Joe Hanus filled Jackie Ellenbecker’s vacant seat. Back row from left to right: Megan Thiessen, Beth Wiese, and Joe Hanus. Front row left to right: Rick Hopper and Elizabeth Dolezal.

After exactly a month from the last meeting, the STC School Board had plenty to get to on Monday night.

High school assistant principal Amy Karg’s resignation was approved for the end of the 2024-2025 school year. This is Karg’s third year as assistant principal with the district. Karg’s resignation comes a month after high school principal Robert Boley’s resignation being accepted at a December meeting. With the exodus of administrators, STC leadership will begin a search to hire replacements.

An unusual transition was proposed by Superintendent John Cain. After meeting with middle school principal and assistant principal Ben Adams and Scott Bolen, the duo is interested in transferring their leadership to the high school. Remaining in the same positions, the duo has been highly praised by staff.

In a Facebook post, a current middle school employee shared their thoughts and praises.

“I’m not often at a loss for words. I know that bosses come and go. I know that we will continue on and be just fine, and I know “our guys” will be fine too. I wish them both nothing but the best.

To know that your BOSSES genuinely care about your well being on both a professional and personal level is rather priceless.”

Both Adams and Bolen met with staff during the school day on Monday, before the meeting, to announce the change. However, the change has not been approved by the school board yet.

Cain will recommend the transfer at the next board meeting and will be voted on in the personnel section under action items.

“The excitement and potential this transfer allows is unmatched. Ben Adams and Scott Bolen are proven leaders in this district, they have the best interests of our students and families in mind. Their dedication to our community and the team approach they take to leadership is outstanding. Leaders with their experience, passion and background are hard to find. They will hit the ground sprinting,” Cain said. “Additionally, it is exciting to hire a new team for the middle school. The MS staff, for the most part, are ready to brace this growth opportunity with a new set of leaders as they head into their new building. This is an exciting time for STC.”

Bringing up the new middle school, Cain shared that it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have new leadership to start off at a new building at the beginning of the next school year.

Grundmeyer Leadership Services, an Iowa based search firm, will once again lead the search for two new administrators if the transfer is approved. GLS has been the choice for administrative searchers for some time, adiding in both the higher of John Cain and previous superintendent Jared Smith.

In an admitted blunder, the positions of middle school principal and assistant principal were listed on hiring website “Indeed” earlier in the day Monday before Cain announced the proposed plan and coming two weeks before the board could vote on the transfer.

The only pushback or response from the board was from Rick Hopper, who requested work sessions to hear from the staff of both buildings to know how to best serve their needs going forward.

In other business, Karen Mixdorf presented on behalf of the Hometown Action Team, formerly known as the Tama-Toledo Visioning Committee. Joined in the audience with many members of the group, Mixdorf outlined the group’s objectives of safer routes to school, better pedestrian accessibility, and promoting physical activities.

The group has secured the DOT’s Safe Routes to School Grant. With this grant, the group plans to add additional stoplights and crosswalks in and around schools. As a part of the grant, the DOT asks for a community match before starting the project. The total of the match comes to $150,572 and is due in October. The project in total comes to $752,856 with the DOT footing $602,284 of the total cost. More fundraising efforts and updates are coming from the group.

After the December discussion of early retirement, the board decided on taking four applicants. Those who applied were approved at the meeting, including Seth Koch, Lon Wilkerson, Micki Stonewall, and Robet Tyynismaa.

The next board meeting is slated for Monday, Jan. 27.