Ellenbecker

TAMA — Last Monday night’s South Tama County school board meeting started with a blaze. During the public comment period, board member Jackie Ellenbecker, who was elected less than a year ago in November of 2023, asked to speak and delivered her resignation letter. After sharing a bit of background and addressing prior comments and actions she had witnessed, Ellenbecker dove into her reasons for leaving the board table, which were primarily tied to the actions of Superintendent John Cain and the decisions he made in the aftermath of STC Sophomore Sydney Culbertson’s sudden passing.

“After learning more about the role of being a school board member, I began to question practices and express concerns regarding how the board was functioning, decisions being made outside of the board room, and concerns with the superintendent imposing on board decisions,” she said. “Twice in April of 2024 I questioned the need for disciplinary action regarding policy violations by Superintendent Cain. Both times my request was disregarded by fellow board members.”

From there, Ellenbecker dove more specifically into the recent controversy.

“The situation leading to my resignation was in reference to school being delayed or canceled for a funeral of a student who passed. A delay of school was the original decision made by Superintendent Cain. However, after receiving an overwhelming amount of calls, emails, and messages, as well as a known petition being signed by the community, I requested an emergency board meeting to discuss the topic. This request, which at least two board members agreed needed to occur, was met with great resistance,” she said. “At one point, I was presented with a list of policies to read as well as told by the president of the board ‘Overturning the superintendent’s decision could severely damage not only his relationship with the board, but the authority of his position with staff.’ I responded by addressing that there is not a law or policy that says we cannot meet, therefore I am asking for the meeting. This was approximately two hours after making the request.”

The following morning, Ellenbecker added, Cain made the decision to cancel school himself, but a board meeting had already been scheduled.

“The special board meeting on 9/20/24 ended up being conducted by Superintendent Cain instead of the board. A new agenda that was not posted nor sent to the board was presented at the meeting in paper form. Superintendent Cain proceeded to make shaming and unprofessional remarks towards the two board members who asked for the special meeting,” she said. “The questions that were asked were directed at us two board members in an unprofessional manner, with follow-up remarks pertaining to the arrangements he had made for school to only be delayed. It was clear that the new agenda was designed in an attempt to make the two board members uncomfortable and attacked for their difference in opinion.”

That same afternoon, Ellenbecker said, she sent an email to the other board members addressing concerns with Cain’s “misconduct” during the board meeting and requesting that he be “held accountable for his actions.”

“I mentioned that I dealt with these same passive aggressive comments for a couple months after going against his recommendation to keep our music teacher positions and that I will not remain on a board that allows their employee to attempt to disrespect and shame me into not speaking up,” she said. “I was up front and honest in that email that if the majority of the board was not willing to hold Superintendent Cain accountable, I would be resigning. My resignation will come as no surprise to three of the four board members as only one other board member was in favor of a written reprimand.”

She concluded by urging the four remaining board members to “take back our board” and “take back our school district.”

“Priority should be given to our students and the community which elected you as board members to represent them and be their voices. Your sole purpose is to provide checks and balances while making important decisions that dictate the overall direction of the school district,” Ellenbecker said. “This purposeful system is thrown off balance when the line between recommendations and authority is crossed, the result being (that) the role of the board of directors and the superintendent are reversed. This is happening more and more within our district. While the guilt of resigning is very strong, the need to have enough self-respect to walk away is stronger. I leave with my integrity intact.”

During the course of her speech, Cain set a three minute timer to keep track of her allotted time. When time expired, Ellenbecker continued reading, even saying “You’re going to have to have me removed, I’m finishing my letter.”

Shortly after, High School Principal Robert Boley gave Ellenbecker his time, and she continued. Another timer rang out after three minutes, and Ellenbecker continued with someone else being heard saying “let her finish.”

After reading her letter in full, Ellenbecker handed over her letter and placed a final sticky note on the wall. During the past few board meetings members have placed positive notes on the wall, Ellenbecker’s final note read “take back our board.” She exited the meeting after placing the note, leaving behind her school provided device and ending her time on the STC school board.

After the meeting, Cain commented on Ellenbecker’s resignation in an email to the T-R.

“Thank you to Director Ellenbecker for the 10-month time period that she was able to commit to the South Tama District in her role as a board member,” he said. “As a district, we have 30 days to find a representative to replace Director Ellenbecker, District Director, Section 2. I am confident that we have community members that are interested in supporting our community in this critical role as a board member and who share a passion to seek to improve the opportunities our district provides to all of our students.”

When reached for subsequent comment, Ellenbecker spoke highly of STC staff.

“One point I did not make in my resignation letter that I want to be sure is heard loud and clear is how lucky South Tama is to have staff who are committed not only to our school district but also to our community,” she said.