North Tama School Board Meeting: Booster Club Drama and Staff Shakeups
Well folks, the North Tama School Board meeting on May went down, and let me tell ya, it was a rollercoaster! We had funding fiascos, farewells from beloved faculty, and even a little legal drama. Buckle up, because things got kinda spicy.
Booster Club Benched: Iowa Code Throws a Flag on Funding
First up, we’ve got ourselves a good ol’ fashioned funding fumble. The board unanimously decided to yank control of athletic and activity advertising revenue from the Booster Club. Why? Seems like they were accidentally breaking some Iowa Code rules by handling the dough. Whoops!
Now, this little oopsie sent shockwaves through the bleachers, as advertising cash was the Booster Club’s bread and butter. How will they keep the lights on, you ask? The district’s stepping in to manage the advertising moolah, but there’s talk of teaming up with the Booster Club for future fundraising shenanigans.
The board’s planning to huddle up again in June to hash out the nitty-gritty of how this whole advertising thing will work. Stay tuned, sports fans, this game ain’t over yet.
So Long, Farewell: Staff Shakeup Hits North Tama
It’s that time of year again, folks – graduation caps are flying, tissues are being dabbed, and teachers are peacing out for greener pastures (or maybe just a much-needed summer break).
Laura Ridout, the multi-talented maestro who rocked the vocal music department, coached junior high track, AND assisted the boys’ basketball team, threw in the towel. Word on the street is she’s chasing her true calling in special education – gotta respect that!
And hold up, there’s more! Her hubby, Ryan Ridout, head honcho of the boys’ basketball team, also called it quits. Double whammy!
But wait, there’s even MORE! Makenzie Pahnisch, second-grade extraordinaire, and Laura Weber, elementary special education guru, also decided to say “see ya later.” Whew, that’s a lot of goodbyes!
On a brighter note, the district welcomed Rachel Donaldson, a junior high English/language arts whiz, to head up the Family & Consumer Science/FCCLA department. Welcome aboard, Rachel!
Superintendent Spills the Tea: Summer Hours, Scheduling Squabbles, and Graduation Woes
Superintendent John Cain, the man with the plan, took the mic to drop some knowledge bombs. Summer office hours are officially a go, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. But don’t even think about showing up on Friday – those doors are locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
In a plot twist that surprised absolutely no one, coordinating schedules with South Tama County (remember, Cain wears two hats) is proving to be trickier than teaching a room full of kindergartners the alphabet. But hey, at least they’re trying! South Tama’s shifting their meeting dates to make things a tad smoother.
And now for the million-dollar question: when the heck is graduation happening? Turns out, North Tama and South Tama County haven’t quite figured that out yet. Will there be a double-graduation extravaganza? Separate ceremonies? Only time will tell, folks. Stay tuned!
Student Shows Out, Gets Schooled: Expulsion Drama Unfolds
Things took a serious turn as the board dove headfirst into a closed session to discuss a student expulsion recommendation. And let me tell you, the tension was thicker than a bowl of oatmeal.
After much deliberation (and probably some nail-biting), the board reached a verdict: expulsion for one whole year, effective May . Oof, that’s gotta sting.
But wait, there’s a glimmer of hope! The expelled student has a shot at redemption. If they play their cards right – think court order compliance, a clean bill of mental health from a professional, a heartfelt plea to the board in December , and passing grades – they might just earn an early ticket back to class in the second semester of the school year.
Until then, it’s adios to school grounds and extracurriculars. Let’s hope this student takes this time to reflect, learn from their mistakes, and come back stronger than ever.
Money, Money, Money: Board Approves a Flurry of Spending
Last but not least, it’s time for everyone’s favorite game show: “Will the Board Approve the Budget Request?” *Cue dramatic music*
- First up, asbestos removal at those district-owned houses. Safety first, am I right? Approved!
- Next, that ancient boiler at the building is wheezing its last breath. Time for a replacement! Approved!
- And hold on, we need some fancy new electrical switchgear. Approved!
- Oh, and that outdoor walk-in cooler is on its last legs? Fix it! Approved!
Looks like the board was in a generous mood (or maybe they just really hate asbestos and faulty boilers). Either way, those much-needed repairs and upgrades are officially a go.