December 21, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda (Please Note Time Change)

 

The North Tama Board of Education will meet on Monday, December 21, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at North Tama Schools.  Please note that the meeting time has been changed to 6:00 p.m. to allow adequate time for the public forum, in addition to the many other items of business that will be discussed. 

Please click here to review the complete agenda, which includes information about participation in the public forum and the required self-health screening which must be completed prior to attending the meeting.  

November 12, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda (Please Note Date Change)

The North Tama Board of Education will meet on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the main gymnasium at North Tama Schools.  Please note that the meeting date has been changed to allow the board to make a determination regarding the model of learning that will be used starting on Monday, November 16, 2020.  

Please click here to review the complete agenda, which includes information about participation in the public forum and the required self-health screening which must be completed prior to attending the meeting.  

October 29 Update: COVID-19 Data Dashboard

The weekly update to North Tama's COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been posted as of Thursday, October 29 at 2:43 p.m.. The dashboard can be accessed at this link, or by visiting the district website at www.ntredhawks.org and selecting "Data Dashboard" from the "Return to Learn" pull-down menu.  

Please note that there are tabs at the bottom of the dashboard.  While the most recent update is on the first tab, you may wish to click on the tabs for the previous weeks to compare prior weeks' data.  

This data represents a "snapshot in time" and is released approximately once each week. These numbers are constantly changing as individuals are tested, placed into quarantine, and released from quarantine. 

View the dashboard at this link. 

 

October 15 Update: COVID-19 Data Dashboard

 The weekly update to North Tama's COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been posted as of Thursday, October 15 at 1:07 p.m.. The dashboard can be accessed at this link, or by visiting the district website at www.ntredhawks.org and selecting "Data Dashboard" from the "Return to Learn" pull-down menu.  

At the time of this release, there are no active cases of COVID-19 at the PK-6 level.  At the 7-12 level, the number of active cases is between 1 and 5.  (State guidance on confidentiality does not allow districts to release a specific number of cases when the number of cases is between 1 and 5.)  

No students or staff are currently in isolation or quarantine because of they have had close contact with a positive individual in the school setting.  Close contact is defined as persons less than 6 feet away from an infectious person for more than 15 consecutive minutes AND the infectious person, the close contact, or both were not wearing a face covering during the interaction. There are 18 individuals in isolation/quarantine because of contacts outside the school setting or for other, non-school related reasons.  

The dashboard is updated once each week.  In smaller school districts like North Tama, breaking down data into smaller groups such as grade levels or teams or providing updates more frequently than once each week may make certain individual cases easily identifiable, which may constitute a violation of FERPA. Families of students/staff that have come into close contact with a positive individual in the school setting will be notified by Tama County Public Health as soon as possible following identification of a positive case.

Please note that there are tabs at the bottom of the dashboard.  While the most recent update is on the first tab, you may wish to click on the tabs for the previous weeks to compare prior weeks' data.  

Please also note that this data represents a "snapshot in time" and is released approximately once each week. These numbers are constantly changing as individuals are tested, placed into quarantine, and released from quarantine.  

This dashboard is designed to share as much information as possible while protecting the privacy of those affected. We share this news with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family.

Updated Return to Learn Plan: 7-12 Returning to 100% Capacity on Monday 10/19

 At last night's school board meeting, the board approved several updates to North Tama's Return to Learn Plan.  As part of this process, it was decided that North Tama's Jr./Sr. High School Building (grades 7-12) will return to 100% capacity this coming Monday, October 19. 

In addition to the return to 100% capacity, the changes in this updated plan include recently-released state guidelines related to confidentiality, parent notification, and modified quarantine requirements based on whether the individual(s) in close contact were wearing a mask. The updated plan now includes a measure that may return the whole district or an individual building to the 50% capacity hybrid plan for a two-week period depending on the number of active positives within the building. Additionally, the document provides clarification and updates to several components of the district’s plan including the selection of a learning model, parent notification of positive cases, face covering requirements, and procedures that will be followed when students and staff exhibit possible symptoms of COVID-19. 

Please keep in mind that additional guidance or directives from the state and our continually-changing local context may necessitate additions or changes to the district's plans.  It continues to be North Tama’s goal to follow practices and offer models of learning that will both educate our students and keep our students and staff healthy and safe during the current global pandemic.  

The updated Return to Learn Plan, approved by the North Tama Board of Education on 10/12/2020 can be viewed at this link the school website: Return To Learn Plan.  

October 12, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda

 

The North Tama Board of Education will meet on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the North Tama Multipurpose Room.  Please click here to review the complete agenda, which includes information about participation in the public forum and the required self-health screening which must be completed prior to attending the meeting.  

New Quarantine & Face Covering Guidance

 

Earlier this week, Governor Reynolds released new quarantine-related guidelines that apply to schools and childcare settings.  In short, the new guidelines state that persons in close contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus will not be required to quarantine if both individuals were wearing face masks. 

Close contacts within households and some other settings will still be required by Tama County to Public Health to quarantine for 14 days; however, the Governor’s new guidelines for schools and childcare settings will apply at North Tama and all schools around the state, effective immediately. 

The Iowa Department of Public Health has also clarified that plastic face shields alone are not sufficient to meet Governor Reynolds’ new quarantine guidance.  Therefore, North Tama is modifying our local guidelines to reflect this change.  Effective immediately, plastic face shields alone will not be considered an acceptable face covering at North Tama.  

Students and staff may still wish to wear a plastic face covering in combination with a cloth or disposable mask as an additional precaution.  The Governor’s office recently sent a shipment of plain white cloth masks to school districts across the state. If your child is in need of a mask from this shipment, please let us know and we will be glad to provide an additional mask while supplies last. The school will also continue to maintain a supply of disposable masks.  

The attached infographic provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health describes the new quarantine guidelines.  

 

North Tama’s K-6 Elementary Will Return to 100% Capacity October 1

 

      On Thursday, October 1, North Tama’s K-6 Elementary School will return to 100% capacity.  Elementary students from both the Red Team and the White Team will begin attending school on a daily basis starting on that day.  Preschool classes will return to full capacity during the week of October 5. Preschool parents will receive an email with a specific schedule in the near future.

      The 7-12 High School will continue to operate at 50% capacity with students attending in person on an every-other-day basis as has been done for the first four weeks of school.  This will continue through at least Friday, October 23, with a possible return to 100% capacity on Monday, October 26. 

      This decision is based on the decision-making metric adopted in consultation with Tama County Public Health as part of the district’s Return-to-Learn Plan. The plan states that in order for an attendance center to return to 100% capacity, two 14-day incubation periods must have passed without a student or staff member receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. At the elementary level, the metric has been met for a return to daily in-person learning. At the secondary level, the metric has not yet been met, and based on the timing of the positive cases at that level, the earliest possible date for a decision on a possible return to 100% capacity is Monday, October 19.  Secondary parents can expect an announcement on or before Tuesday, October 20.     

      As we make the transition to 100% capacity at the elementary level, parents are reminded that schools simply cannot guarantee that physical distancing will be met in all settings throughout the entire school day, during school activities, or in transportation systems. With all elementary students attending school daily, physical distancing will be more of a challenge than it has been during our first four weeks of school.  Our staff will do the best we can to ensure as much distancing as possible given the constraints of our enrollment numbers and the size of our classrooms.  

      Face coverings (mask or face shield) will still be required for the foreseeable future.  To help reduce mask fatigue, the staff will continue to provide mask breaks whenever possible, but at the elementary level these breaks may be less frequent due to the reduced ability to distance our students and staff.            

  For students at all levels, bus pick-up and drop-off times will change on October 1 when all elementary students are attending daily.  Parents received bus route details prior to the start of the year, and the school will be emailing this bus information again in the near future. Many bus parents have been helping to mitigate risk by volunteering to pick up and/or drop off their children at school whenever possible, thereby reducing the number of students on buses. This is very much appreciated and will be an even more important mitigation measure when more students are attending school in person each day.  

      The Remote Learning program will remain an option for students at all grade levels for the remainder of the school year. Some families may wish to transition their child(ren) to the Remote Learning program when their child’s building returns to full capacity, while other families may wish to move their child back to in-person learning at some point during the year.  While parents are encouraged to commit to an entire semester or an entire year in the program, please know that you may contact your child’s principal to discuss a possible change at any time during the year. 

      We would like to share three more important notes related to the current situation:

1. The Return-to-Learn Plan (which includes the 50% capacity hybrid model and 100% capacity model as well as the decision-making metric for selecting a model of instruction) will be on the agenda of the October meeting of the North Tama Board of Education. The board may consider possible changes to the plan at that time. This meeting will be held on Monday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the North Tama Multipurpose Room. (Please note: The meeting is being held one week earlier than originally scheduled due to a conflict with 1st round regional volleyball on the originally-scheduled night of the meeting.)  District patrons are invited to observe the meeting and/or participate in the public forum. Details on how to participate in the public forum will be included with the meeting agenda, which will be posted on the North Tama Website no later than Friday, October 9.  
2. The district is still seeking qualified substitute teachers, as well as substitute bus drivers, cooks, and others that may be available to step in to provide support in the event of staff illness or required isolation.  If at any point the school is forced to implement a short-term closure due to the inability to fill key staff positions, the governor’s proclamations do not allow for school districts to transition to remote learning during this type of closure; therefore, those school days would just be canceled and made up at a later time.  If you or someone you know would be qualified and interested in being added to our list of substitute teachers or staff, please contact the main office for an application.  
3. A recent governor’s proclamation does allow for a school to transition to short-term remote learning on days when school needs to be canceled due to weather-related safety issues.  Therefore, for the remainder of this school year, any day that school would be canceled for a weather-related reason (such as excessive snow or ice) will be a remote learning day for all students.

      Please monitor your child diligently for symptoms of COVID-19. If you notice symptoms, please keep them at home, away from others, and only leave home to seek medical attention/testing after consulting with your healthcare provider by telephone first.  

PDF Version of This Announcement

September 21, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda

 North Tama Board of Education

Monday, September 21, 2020

7:00 p.m. - Jr. High Commons

NOTE: 

• Attendees are asked to maintain a 6 foot separation from others before, during, and after this meeting.  
• Face coverings are required. A meeting attendee may remove his/her face covering when seated and when a 6-foot social distance can be maintained.  
• Some Board members may participate via conference call as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means. 

PRE-MEETING SELF SCREENING:

Please do not attend the meeting if you have any symptoms on the list of “HIGH RISK SYMPTOMS” below, or if you have two or more of the symptoms on the list of “LOW RISK SYMPTOMS” below:

High Risk Symptoms (Have one of these symptoms?  Do not attend.)

• New cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell

Low Risk Symptoms (Have two or more? Do not attend.)

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and body aches
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny Nose
• Congestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Public Comment 

The board welcomes comments from district patrons and encourages regular communication with the citizens of the school district. Patrons wishing to participate in the Public Forum are encouraged to contact the superintendent or board secretary at least 24 hours prior to a board meeting to be added to the agenda.  

Patrons wishing to comment in the Public Forum who have NOT made prior arrangements with the superintendent or board secretary are asked to complete a “Sign-Up for Public Forum Comments” form (available at the door prior to the meeting) and return it to the superintendent before the board president calls the meeting to order.  

In consideration for others attending the meeting and time restraints, the board asks that individuals limit their comments to (3) minutes or less. If you believe further discussion is necessary, we encourage you to contact the school administrator or staff member most knowledgeable with or responsible for your area of interest or concern. 

The board will also accept written public comments from patrons who are unable to attend the meeting in person and/or patrons who desire to limit their possible exposure to COVID-19.  Written public comments will be read aloud during the board meeting, with the same 3-minute time limit that is allowed for in-person public comments.  Email written public comments to david.hill@ntredhawks.org no later than 6:55 p.m. on Monday, September 21; please include the words PUBLIC FORUM COMMENTS in the subject line.  Be sure to include your full first and last name as well as your postal address in the body of your email so that the sender can clearly be identified as a district patron.  

Your interest in our students and our school system is appreciated.

Agenda

Click HERE to view the complete agenda.  

Changes to COVID-19 Information Sharing & Reporting

 

Yesterday, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) released new guidance for school districts regarding how much information can be shared with the public (including parents and employees) with regard to COVID-19 cases in the district.

Based on this new guidance, the following changes will be made to North Tama's reporting of data:

• Email notifications will no longer be sent for each new reported case. The district will provide weekly updates on the North Tama COVID-19 Data Dashboard, which can be found on the district website.
• When there are no active cases, the Data Dashboard will state the actual number (0).
• When the number of cases is between 1 and 5, the Data Dashboard will state, "5 or Fewer."
• When the number of cases is 6 or greater, the Data Dashboard will state the actual number.

All North Tama families and employees did receive an email on September 3 notifying them of positive cases in the district. It was the district's original plan to send an email like this any time a positive case of COVID-19 was identified in our school. This original plan was based on advice from the Iowa Association of School Boards legal team. The discontinuation of email notifications and the other changes listed above are being made based on the new, more specific guidance received from IDPH yesterday. IDPH's guidance is designed to protect the privacy of individual students and staff.

North Tama will continue to provide as much information as possible to inform the school community of the impact of COVID-19 on our district while protecting the privacy of those affected. Principals and/or Tama County Public Health staff will continue to make personal contact with families of individuals who have tested positive and individuals identified as close contacts with specific quarantine instructions. Principals, nurses, and other school employees that need to be involved in identifying close contacts will continue to share information as needed for the purpose of contact tracing.

A summary of the new IDPH guidance can be reviewed at this link.

 

New COVID-19 Data Dashboard

 

North Tama Families,

    In an effort to inform the school community community of the impact of COVID-19 on our district, we plan to share as much information as possible while protecting the privacy of those affected. 

    In the event that a student or staff member comes into close contact with a positive individual in the school setting, the family can expect to receive an individual phone call from Tama County Public Health and/or the school principal as soon as possible following identification of a positive case.  Close contact is defined as anyone who has been within 6 feet of the individual for fifteen consecutive minutes or more. 

    In addition to individual telephone contacts received by those meeting the definition of close contact, all North Tama families will be notified via email when the school becomes aware that an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19 has been in the school building.  

    So that families don't miss out on any critical information, It is imperative that families answer telephone calls from public health and the school, and that parents promptly return any messages. It is equally important for all families to provide the school with one or more current email addresses, and that parents check their "spam" and "junk" folders and take any necessary steps to adjust email settings to ensure these emails are received.  

    In addition to the email notification and individual telephone calls described earlier, North Tama has created a "Data Dashboard" on the district website.  The dashboard can be accessed at this link, or by visiting the district website at www.ntredhawks.org and selecting "Data Dashboard" from the "Return to Learn" pull-down menu.  

    In a smaller school district like North Tama, breaking down data into smaller groups such as grade levels, teams, or employee classifications, or providing updates more frequently than once each week may make certain individual cases easily identifiable, which may constitute a violation of FERPA.  It is the district's intent to update these numbers once each week and post this information to the district website.  

    Please know that these efforts will be a work in progress and our district will make adjustments as we learn more during this pandemic. We share this news with you so you can make well-informed decisions for your family. 

North Tama Administration

Susan Olson, Elementary Principal

Andrew Meister, Secondary Principal

David Hill, Superintendent

Therapy Services Offered On-Site at North Tama

Therapy Services Offered On-Site at North Tama

    North Tama is excited to announce a new partnership to provide increased supports for mental, emotional, social, and behavioral wellness.  The district has entered into a partnership with Tanager Place to provide comprehensive, holistic care to students within the school environment, eliminating the need to travel out of town for these services and allowing families to better balance work responsibilities, time commitments, and transportation issues.  

    North Tama’s new School Based Therapist is Maddie Smith.  She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa holding a Master’s degree in social work. Maddie will be working with North Tama students and staff on a daily basis from an office in the North Tama PK-12 building. She is excited about working with North Tama’s students and families, and she looks forward to providing school based therapy services to help students learn, grow, and achieve success!  

Maddie Smith is the new school-based therapist at North Tama.  She will be working with North Tama students and their families on a daily basis from an office in the North Tama PK-12 building.

    Services offered may include individual, family, and group therapy appointments, evaluation and assessment of strengths and needs, consultation with teachers, parent outreach, and a link to other Tanager Place programs as well as community services.  

    One of the best advantages of this partnership is the location, with all services and appointments taking place on-campus at North Tama.  This will make therapy appointments and other services more accessible to families, eliminating the need to travel out of town and miss large amounts of time in school. The school based therapist and school staff will work together to identify the best time for sessions to occur during a child’s school day. Sessions last approximately 45 minutes, typically on a weekly basis.  Duration and frequency of sessions is determined by individual needs.

    These services are not mandatory, and will require parent consent before any services can be initiated.  School administrators and counselors may make referrals, but parents/guardians must give consent for any treatment to begin. Tanager Place accepts Medicaid and most private insurance.  Families are responsible for the cost of any co-pay not covered by insurance. Billing will be handled directly between the family, insurance, and Tanager Place.  Tanager Place staff can assist with any insurance or billing questions parents may have.

    Throughout the course of treatment, the school based therapist will connect with parents to discuss their child’s progress, treatment planning, and goals. Family members are invited and encouraged to participate in the treatment process as much as possible.  Virtual options for therapy may be available to students participating in remote instruction. 

    Any parent or legal guardian interested in exploring school based services for their child may reach out via email at: schoolbasedsup@tanagerplace.org or contact their child’s school counselor for further discussion.

August 17, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda

 

North Tama Board of Education

Monday, August 17, 2020

7:00 p.m. - Jr. High Commons

NOTE: 

• Attendees are asked to maintain a 6 foot separation from others before, during, and after this meeting.  
• Face coverings are required. A meeting attendee may remove his/her face covering when seated and when a 6-foot social distance can be maintained.  
• Some Board members may participate via conference call as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means. 

PRE-MEETING SELF SCREENING:

Please do not attend the meeting if you have any symptoms on the list of “HIGH RISK SYMPTOMS” below, or if you have two or more of the symptoms on the list of “LOW RISK SYMPTOMS” below:

High Risk Symptoms (Have one of these symptoms?  Do not attend.)

• New cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell

Low Risk Symptoms (Have two or more? Do not attend.)

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle and body aches
• Fatigue
• Sore throat
• Runny Nose
• Congestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Public Comment 

The board welcomes comments from district patrons and encourages regular communication with the citizens of the school district. Patrons wishing to participate in the Public Forum are encouraged to contact the superintendent or board secretary at least 24 hours prior to a board meeting to be added to the agenda.  

Patrons wishing to comment in the Public Forum who have NOT made prior arrangements with the superintendent or board secretary are asked to complete a “Sign-Up for Public Forum Comments” form (available at the door prior to the meeting) and return it to the superintendent before the board president calls the meeting to order.  

In consideration for others attending the meeting and time restraints, the board asks that individuals limit their comments to (3) minutes or less. If you believe further discussion is necessary, we encourage you to contact the school administrator or staff member most knowledgeable with or responsible for your area of interest or concern. 

The board will also accept written public comments from patrons who are unable to attend the meeting in person and/or patrons who desire to limit their possible exposure to COVID-19.  Written public comments will be read aloud during the board meeting, with the same 3-minute time limit that is allowed for in-person public comments.  Email written public comments to david.hill@ntredhawks.org no later than 6:55 p.m. on Monday, August 17; please include the words PUBLIC FORUM COMMENTS in the subject line.  Be sure to include your full first and last name as well as your postal address in the body of your email so that the sender can clearly be identified as a district patron.  

Your interest in our students and our school system is appreciated.

Agenda

Click HERE to view the complete agenda.  

July 20, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda

North Tama Board of Education

Monday, July 20, 2020

7:00 p.m. - Jr. High Commons

NOTE: Attendees are asked to maintain a 6 foot separation from others before, during, and after this meeting. Face coverings are welcome and encouraged, but not required. Attendance may be limited to allow for social distancing. Attendance will be monitored, and if/when the room capacity is reached, subsequent attendees will be given instructions on how to observe the meeting via telephone. Some Board members may participate via conference call as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means.

A public forum will not be held due to the limited room capacity. Patrons wishing to address the board may do so in writing by emailing david.hill@ntredhawks.org no later than 6:55 p.m. on Monday, July 20.

Click HERE to view the complete agenda.
 

June 15, 2020 North Tama Board Agenda

North Tama Board of Education

Monday, June 15, 2020

7:00 p.m. - Jr. High Commons

NOTE: Attendees are asked to maintain a 6 foot separation from others before, during, and after this meeting. Attendance may be limited to allow for social distancing. Attendance will be monitored, and if/when the room capacity is reached, subsequent attendees will be given instructions on how to observe the meeting by dialing a teleconference number. Some Board members may participate via conference call as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means.

A public forum will not be held due to the limited room capacity. Patrons wishing to address the board may do so in writing by emailing david.hill@ntredhawks.org no later than 6:55 p.m. on Monday, June 15.

Click HERE to view the complete agenda.

May 18, 2020 Agenda: Public Hearing on Budget Amendment & Monthly Meeting

North Tama Board of Education

Monday, May 18, 2020

7:00 p.m.

NOTE: Board members will be participating in this meeting via conference call as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means. The meeting minutes will state the reason for the meeting being held electronically is to facilitate social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic as mandated by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Members of the public may observe the meeting via conference call by following the instructions below.

Instructions for Telephone Participation:

Dial-In Number: (712) 451-1249

Enter Meeting Access Code: 124783 Followed by # or *

Click HERE to view the complete agenda.  

April 6, 2020 Agenda: North Tama Budget Hearing & Monthly Meeting.

North Tama Board of Education

Monday, April 6, 2020

7:00 p.m.

NOTE: Board members will be participating in this meeting via conference call as per Iowa Code Section 21.8 which permits a governmental body to conduct a meeting by electronic means. The meeting minutes will state the reason for the meeting being held electronically is to facilitate social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic as mandated by Governor Reynolds’ Public Health Disaster Declaration.  Members of the public may observe the meeting via conference call by following the instructions below.  

Instructions for Telephone Participation:

Dial-In Number: (712) 451-1249

Enter Meeting Access Code: 124783 Followed by # or *

• It is highly recommended that all board members and interested district patrons view this 6-minute budget presentation video prior to the budget hearing: https://youtu.be/dGqFMApdun4 The proposed budget (published in the 3/20/20 Traer Star Clipper) can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/21NTBudget.
• Interested patrons can view North Tama’s current property tax rate in comparison to area districts, Iowa Star Conference districts, and districts of comparable size at this link: http://tinyurl.com/NTTaxCompare20
• Feel free to contact Superintendent David Hill with any questions on the proposed budget: dhill@n-tama.k12.ia.us.
• District residents and taxpayers may submit written comments on the proposed budget by emailing tkarr@n-tama.k12.ia.us no later than 6:55 p.m. on Monday, April 6.
• Those who prefer to address the board verbally by telephone should email dhill@n-tama.k12.ia.us to make arrangements no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6.

Click HERE to view the complete agenda.  

Special Board Meeting Agenda: Friday, March 20, 2020 - 7:00 a.m.

North Tama Board of Education

Friday, March 20, 2020

7:00 a.m.

North Tama ICN Room & Call-In

(Telephone participation is encouraged for board members and for public observation as a way of practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. See call-in instructions below.)


Special Meeting Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call and Determine Quorum (verbal Roll Call due to call-in public observation of meeting)
3. Board Discussion/Possible Board Action on COVID-19 Pandemic Pay Resolution (below) *
4. Adjourn *

R E S O L U T I O N

BE IT RESOLVED, during a temporary full or partial closure of the North Tama County Community Schools due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Superintendent is hereby authorized to pay customary and regular compensation to employees that are temporarily out of work.

Passed this 20th day of March, 2020.


_________________________________________________________
President Rod Zobel
North Tama County Community School District Board of Directors

SPECIAL NOTE CONCERNING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THIS MEETING

On March 17, 2020 Governor Kim Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency Proclamation which, among other things, prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people at all locations and venues effective immediately through the end of this month. We will monitor attendance in the meeting room and will limit the room capacity to 10 individuals.

To maintain the integrity and spirit of Iowa open meeting laws while maintaining this limit of 10 people, and to allow members of the public to observe this open meeting while practicing social distancing, all will have the opportunity to observe the meeting by telephone. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate an unprecedented time in modern American history.

Telephone Observation Instructions

1. Call this number: (712) 451-1249
2. When prompted, dial this access code: 124783 followed by the # or * button.
3. The system will ask you to announce yourself by stating your name. This is an optional step. If you prefer, you may remain silent at this point.
4. Listen & enjoy the meeting! Note: Please consider muting your telephone as the board conducts its business.

North Tama School Board Encourages YES Vote on “Public Measure B”

North Tama School Board Encourages YES Vote on “Public Measure B”

       Traer, Iowa – With the November school election quickly approaching, the North Tama County Community School District’s Board of Education has taken decisive action to make it clear to the public that they are encouraging a YES vote on Public Measure B, also known as the SAVE Revenue Purpose Statement.

       The ballot measure specifies how revenues from the recently re-approved “Secure an Advanced Vision for Education” statewide 1-cent sales tax (also known as SAVE) may be used by the district.  It will NOT change the current sales tax rate. Citizens statewide will continue to pay the 1-cent sales tax even if the proposed ballot measure is not approved.

       “Students and schools all across Iowa have benefitted greatly from the SAVE 1-cent sales tax that has been in place for the last ten years,” stated David Hill, district superintendent.  “Now that the legislature and governor have extended SAVE until 2051, schools will be required to pass a new Revenue Purpose Statement in order to spend revenues collected under the new extension.” 

       Public measures like this one are on the ballot in numerous school districts across the state this fall as a follow-up to the Iowa Legislature’s recent extension of the statewide 1-cent sales tax.  Notable districts pursuing ballot measures of this type elsewhere in the state include Waukee, Charles City, Clear Lake, Clinton, Dubuque, Norwalk, Knoxville, and all of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area districts including College Community, Linn-Mar, Marion Independent, and Cedar Rapids.  Closer to home, area districts voting on nearly identical ballot measures this fall include Dike-New Hartford, Aplington-Parkersburg, Marshalltown, Wapsie Valley, Denver, and Gladbrook-Reinbeck.  All districts statewide are expected to follow suit in the next few years as the sunset of the current SAVE law approaches. 

       Revenue Purpose Statement ballot measures across the state are causing some confusion, with some making the false assumption that a YES vote will increase taxes.  At its October monthly school board meeting, the North Tama board passed a resolution encouraging a YES vote in hopes of clearing up any confusion.  Hill stated, “I’m pleased that the board has decided to make it perfectly clear to the voters that a YES vote is best for North Tama, and that a majority YES vote will NOT increase taxes in any way.” Hill explained that the ballot measure simply gives North Tama County the PERMISSION TO SPEND the revenues that it will already be receiving in the broadest ways allowed by law. 

       Iowa law limits the use of revenues from the statewide 1-cent sales tax to a list of specific types of uses – primarily for infrastructure and related purposes. North Tama – like other Iowa districts – has worded its Revenue Purpose Statement to allow the district to spend future sales tax revenues on ANY expenditure allowed by Iowa law to allow for maximum flexibility. 

       Hill called the ballot measure a “no-brainer,” stating, “SAVE received bipartisan support in the legislature because folks on both sides of the aisle realize that it really has helped to keep property taxes down while allowing school districts to meet their long-term infrastructure needs.” 

       When asked whether it is legal for a school board to take a position on an upcoming ballot item, Hill responded, “Iowa Code section 68A.505 allows a governing body to express an opinion on a ballot issue through the passage of a resolution.” He added, “This resolution has been reviewed by the district’s attorney as well as staff at the Iowa Campaign and Ethics Disclosure Board, and both have found it to be within the parameters of the law.” 

       Voters will determine the outcome of Public Measure B in the November 5 school/city election, along with the selection of school board members, city councils, and mayoral races. 

November 5 School Election Update

Superintendent News & Views

November 5 School Election Update

By David Hill, North Tama Superintendent

City and school district elections will be held across Iowa on Tuesday, November 5.  In the North Tama County Community School District, voters will select four candidates to serve on the Board of Education and will vote on a special ballot measure as well. 

Four of the seven Board of Education seats at North Tama will be decided in the November election.  Incumbents Doug Dvorak and Valerie Bradley have filed papers to run for re-election in their director districts.  Tiffany Feisel and Mona Larson have opted to not seek re-election. 

Haley Blaine is running unopposed for the Director District 3 seat being vacated by Mona Larson.  In Director District 7, three candidates are running to replace Tiffany Feisel.  Rebecca Dostal, Amber Monat, and David Boldt have all filed nomination papers to be considered for the Director District 7 seat. 

In the North Tama district CANDIDATES must reside in the director district they are seeking to represent, but ALL voters may vote for ALL board seats regardless of where in the district the voter may live. 

In a recent SUPERINTENDENT NEWS & VIEWS column, I shared with you that the Iowa legislature has extended the statewide one-cent sales tax for school infrastructure until 2051, requiring the passage of a new Revenue Purpose Statement before a district may access the funds that will be generated starting in 2031. 

At their September board meeting, the North Tama Board of Education decided to move forward with this process by bringing to our patrons a ballot issue regarding the allowed uses of the one-cent sales tax.  Several other area districts are holding similar ballot measures in this election, and we’ll see ballot measures just like this one all over the state of Iowa between now and the expiration of the current law. 

Provided below in a “Question & Answer” format is information regarding North Tama’s Revenue Purpose Statement ballot issue and the process prescribed by state laws for our district to continue to use these funds beyond 2031. If you have any other questions after reviewing this information, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (319) 478-2265 or by email at dhill@n-tama.k12.ia.us 

WHAT IS A REVENUE PURPOSE STATEMENT?

It is a ballot issue that describes the allowed uses for the 1-cent sales tax in the State of Iowa that is dedicated to all Iowa school districts. This one-cent sales tax is known as SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education). North Tama’s current Revenue Purpose Statement – originally passed in September 2008 – received overwhelming support from district patrons.  Now that the Iowa Legislature has extended the sales tax to last until 2051, a new Revenue Purpose Statement is needed.  

WHAT IS BETTER FOR NORTH TAMA SCHOOLS?  A “YES” VOTE OR A “NO” VOTE? 

While I wouldn’t presume to tell you how to vote, I would offer that these RPS measures have been relatively non-controversial all over the state. Many have called them a “no-brainer,” as consumers statewide are already paying the one-cent sales tax and will continue to pay it either way, and school districts statewide will receive the revenues either way -- the RPS just gives districts a little more flexibility with the dollars they are already receiving. A prevailing “YES” vote won’t cost you anything, and it will allow North Tama to continue to maintain and upgrade facilities, technology infrastructure, student technology, and transportation equipment.

WILL THIS RAISE MY TAXES?

The outcome of this vote will absolutely NOT raise your taxes - regardless of whether the YES or NO vote prevails. The one-cent sales tax is already being collected statewide and the legislature has now extended the one-cent sales tax until 2051.  The sole purpose of the Revenue purpose Statement is to describe and outline the uses for which the one-cent sales tax may be used at North Tama.

WHAT DO WE CURRENTLY DO WITH THE ONE-CENT SALES TAX REVENUE?

Over the past 10 years North Tama has used SAVE revenues for just about every type of infrastructure expenditure allowed by law.  Here are some examples:

• Major Addition & Remodeling Project including Locker Rooms, Gym Lobby, Jr. High Classrooms and Commons, Remodeling of Jr. High Classrooms, and Superintendent’s Office
• Athletic Facility Improvements (Dennis Field, Gymnasium, and NT Athletic Complex)
• Student Computers and 1-to-1 Devices as well as Teacher Computers
• Back-End Technology Infrastructure
• Fine Arts Improvements (including stage lighting, painting and carpeting band and vocal classrooms and the upcoming installation of a new acoustic shell and stage curtain)
• Air-Conditioning Classrooms
• HVAC Improvements (including boilers)
• Flooring Improvements (including gym and stage resurfacing, classroom flooring replacements, and installation of stair treads for increased safety)
• Playground Improvements
• Handicapped Accessibility Improvements (Elevator Repairs, Addition of ADA-Compliant Ramps)
• Sidewalk and Concrete Repairs
• Purchase of School Buses and Vehicles
• Retrofitting Route Buses with Seat Belts
• Air Conditioning School Buses
• Transportation Repairs (repairs over $2500 may be paid from SAVE)
• Improving Building Security (including secured access doors & security cameras)
• Installation of Energy-Efficient Lighting
• Roofs, Downspout, and Gutter Repair
• Added 4 Drinking Fountains with Water-Bottle Fillers
• Purchasing an Adjacent Lot and Demolishing a House for Additional Parking

IF THIS BALLOT MEASURE IS APPROVED BY VOTERS, HOW WILL THE DISTRICT’S USE OF THE ONE-CENT SALES TAX REVENUES CHANGE?

For the most part, I would expect the district’s spending of the one-cent sales tax revenues to look very similar to the types of uses listed in the previous question: to maintain and improve district facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.  Our current Revenue Purpose Statement (which expires at the end of the current SAVE legislation) was written with the same goal in mind as the newly proposed statement: to allow maximum flexibility for the school district.  

One possible change may be the consideration of some larger projects that would require bonding against future revenues.  The approval of a new Revenue Purpose Statement now would allow the district to bond against future revenues from the one-cent sales tax through 2051 if necessary for more expensive projects. 

WHY IS THIS NEEDED NOW?  

This isn’t absolutely needed now, but it is needed sometime before the current SAVE law expires and the new, extended SAVE law begins on January 1, 2031. You’ll see ballot measures just like this one all over the state of Iowa between now and that date.  

A new RPS is needed before a district can structure revenue bonds against SAVE revenues that will be generated on or after January 1, 2031.  So, the approval of a new Revenue Purpose Statement may be needed before any very large, expensive infrastructure projects can take place in the district.

WHAT WILL NORTH TAMA DO IF THE REVENUE PURPOSE STATEMENT IS NOT APPROVED?

As stated above, the district needs to pass a Revenue Purpose Statement sometime before the current SAVE law expires and the new, extended SAVE law begins on January 1, 2031.  While a failure to pass the RPS wouldn’t cause a major problem right now, it would be crippling for North Tama if the RPS doesn’t pass sometime prior to 2031.  At the present time, it would only hold us back from MAJOR projects that would require borrowing.  Iowa law requires a minimum of six months to elapse before another Revenue Purpose Election can be held. If the Revenue Purpose Statement considered by voters in November is not approved, either the same or a revised RPS can be brought back to our voters. If the Board of Education wants to avoid the cost of holding a special election, they may opt to wait two years until the next regular school election.  

WILL PASSAGE OF THE REVENUE PURPOSE STATEMENT REQUIRE A “SUPER-MAJORITY”?

No.  A simple majority (50% +1) is needed for passage.

WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?  

If you have any other questions after reviewing this information, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at (319) 478-2265 or by email at dhill@n-tama.k12.ia.us. The same questions and answers that you read above are also posted on our website. As I receive questions from district patrons, I may add to the “Q&A” document for further clarification.  You can find the online “Q&A” at http://bit.ly/NTRPS.

I encourage your feedback on this column, along with any questions you may have. You are welcome to visit my blog at http://redhawksupt.blogspot.com/ where you can read all of my columns and leave comments if you wish. You are also welcome to follow me on Twitter, where my handle is @DavidRobertHill.