A map of North Tama Community School District’s seven director districts. Director District 7 (pink) will soon be filled by appointment following David Boldt’s resignation on Jan. 26, 2026.

TRAER – The North Tama school district is seeking candidates to fill a school board vacancy.

The Director District 7 seat opened up late last month following Director David Boldt’s resignation. In an email obtained by the newspaper sent to Board President David Calderwood, Boldt said he would be stepping down effective Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

“It’s been a privilege to serve and work with such a dedicated group of people,” Boldt wrote. “I’ve learned a lot and truly value the time we’ve spent working together for our students. Thanks for all the support and collaboration–I’ll do my best to make the transition smooth.”

During the regular monthly board meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Superintendent John Cain shared that Boldt had resigned due to his work schedule no longer aligning with board schedules. Boldt was reelected in November 2023 and has roughly two years remaining in his term.

District 7 is a rural district stretching mostly south of Traer. North Tama’s website (https://www.n-tama.k12.ia.us) currently has a pop-up on the landing page with a link to an interactive ArcGIS mapping tool which allows users to input their home address and see it mapped onto the seven director districts. Eligible electors who live in District 7 with an interest in the appointment should contact board secretary Sara Forrester. The board plans to appoint during the next regular monthly meeting which is set for Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m. in the junior high commons.

Eligible electors of the school district may also file a petition requiring the vacancy be filled by special election. Such paperwork must be received by Forrester within 14 days after the vacancy notice was first published. Forrester can be reached at 319-478-2265 or sara.forrester@n-tama.k12.ia.us.

New mission statement

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the board began the meeting Wednesday night by reading the district’s new mission statement which was created as part of last year’s strategic planning work. The new statement reads: “North Tama County Community School District is committed to prepare all students for their future success by providing rigorous academic experiences in a safe, student-centered learning environment, while strengthening relationships through collaborative opportunities within the Redhawk community.” It replaces the former statement, “Opening Doors to Life-Long Learning.”

Consent agenda

As part of the consent agenda Wednesday evening, the board approved the following:

-Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) construction bill totaling $4,009.90

-Larson Construction Company construction bill totaling $166,100.40

-The resignations of Dixie Wyckoff (home school teacher) and Olivia Schrier (junior high softball coach)

-Fundraisers for the North Tama Dance Team (dance clinic) and FCCLA-Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (pasta dinner)

-Open enrollment out/special education bills: Hudson CSD for $34,141.04; Cedar Falls CSD for $273.62; Gladbrook-Reinbeck CSD for $30,161.96; DMACC STRIVE Academy for $11,378.06; Red Oak CSD for $9,815.94; Waverly Shell Rock CSD-Lied Center for $10,857.00; Union CSD for $21,338.15; Belle Plaine CSD for $8,535.26.

Prior to approving the consent agenda, a question was raised regarding Dixie Wyckoff’s resignation. It was shared that Wyckoff ceased taking new students a few years ago in preparation for 2025 being her last year.

Reports; open house reset

Members of the North Tama Athletic Boosters, including Luke Dvorak and Ashton Wilson, provided a brief presentation to the board regarding the organization’s activities. They asked for approval to use the district’s logo which Cain verbally granted. Most of the presentation and discussion revolved around sending out fundraising letters to businesses (advertising banners) in May rather than in August – a time when many local businesses are seemingly swamped with fundraising requests. There was also discussion surrounding the requirement the school district handle any funds raised for advertising.

As part of her report, Student Representative Lillea Cluts reported on the happenings of various school groups, including North Tama FFA which she said is working to get the school greenhouse back up and running. She also shared comments collected from students pertaining to the new high school addition. Students told her the bathrooms ‘are nicer’; the common area is a ‘nice place to work as a group’; the increased natural light was welcomed; shorter commutes between classrooms was appreciated; the increase in drinking fountains was welcomed; the new science labs were a noticeable improvement; and the ‘nicer’ digital clocks on the walls were appreciated.

As part of his report, Superintendent Cain touched on the most recent legislative update shared by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). Board President David Calderwood asked about recent work by the legislature to move schools back to accepting cash as a form of payment for activities.

Cain also talked about the Phase I construction project punch list, telling the board the list’s length was “very normal” for a project as large as the high school addition.

The superintendent also discussed rescheduling the open house for the new addition and renovated athletic areas which had been canceled due to weather. Following discussion, the board set the rescheduled open house for Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 5-6:30 p.m.

Brit Literature, visiting the Bard

Secondary English teacher Michelle Bolin gave a presentation to the board on her proposal to add British Literature as a yearlong, senior course option next school year along with an optional summer trip. The course would be created by Bolin while aligning with both state and national ELA standards.

Bolin proposed contracting with the company EF Educational Tours for the optional trip to the United Kingdom which would take place June 22-30, 2027 (June 19-July 3 travel window). The trip would cost just under $5,000 per student (paid for by the student with the option to fundraise) or $289 per month. The company – which she referred to as “very safe” – has worked with several nearby school districts, including East Marshall and Marshalltown.

When asked how many students she thought could ‘realistically afford’ such a trip, Bolin said an informal poll of high school juniors netted 21 interested responses. To lock in the $4,999 per student price, Bolin said she would need at least six students to sign up.

Following her presentation, several of the board members, including Doug Dvorak, told her they “applauded” her efforts. Cain told Bolin the addition of British Literature to the class schedule for the 2026-27 school year would be an action item on next month’s agenda.

UNI Purple Pathways

The board also heard a presentation from North Tama paraeducator Hannah Hunter regarding the University of Northern Iowa’s Purple Pathways program.

According to UNI’s website, the two-year program leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Special Education Strategist I Iowa endorsement through an online apprenticeship program for paraprofessionals.

Partnering with the UNI for the program would require a financial commitment from the cooperating district of at least $6-9,000 per Pathways student, Hunter said. During discussion, Cain surmised the amount would likely be much higher as the district would need to replace the para’s wage (i.e. hire a para substitute) during their semester of student teaching. The cooperating district would also need to provide a mentor for each Pathways student.

“It’s a good concept certainly around the state, but I think we would want to process the information,” Cain told Hunter following her presentation.

When prompted, Hunter said there were three paras at North Tama, including herself, interested in pursuing the program beginning next school year.

Action items

The board approved setting the public hearing for the 2026-27 school calendar for Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, as part of the next regular monthly meeting.

The board approved two mid-year graduates.

Two change order requests (COR) were approved as part of Phase I construction: COR 54 for a second elementary boiler for $55,782.77, and COR 64 ($187,056.05 and $199,824.46) which effectively brings the entire school up to Code in terms of its fire systems, Cain explained.

The board approved partnering with Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) for a design and cost proposal for potential additional Phase I projects which would be implemented using funds that remain from the general obligation bonds sold as part of the district’s $14.85 million bond referendum. Any project utilizing such funds must comply with the bond referendum’s allowable uses. Some of the items on the list include a new preschool playground; bathroom renovations; finishing touches on the new addition including branding; LED lighting in the junior high commons; painting miscellaneous areas left unpainted; a recommendation for improvements to the North Tama Athletic Complex; updating the MPR so that it is “a respectable place that everybody wants to go to,” per Cain; recoating the main gymnasium floor; fixing the broken sidewalks all around the campus; further safety measures; finishing the parking lot on the east side (gravel, asphalt or concrete options).

“In reality we can’t afford all these things” Cain said at one point in response to concerns expressed by Director Seth Seda, before explaining PRA would only be providing plans and budget options. The board would then use PRA’s proposal in deciding which additional projects to pursue.

The board also approved a motion authorizing transportation director Mike Morrison to spend under $35,000 to purchase a new 12-passenger van utilizing SAVE (sales tax) funds (Option 5 of the five bids presented; if Option 5 is unavailable, then Option 2). Currently, the district has one (1) 12-passenger van and two (2) 8-passenger vans. The addition of a fourth van would allow most of North Tama’s sports teams to avoid using a school bus for travel.

Finally, the board approved continuing to use Logra Learning’s online Spanish program for the spring 2026 semester (https://spanishlogralearning.com).

Prior to entering into closed session for a superintendent evaluation, the board approved a slew of first and second readings of policy.