Mormon Trail

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

January 7, 2019    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Peasley, Cromer, Evans, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary/High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Seniors Mikayla Anderson, Cassy Casey, and Lilly Starkes.

The agenda was approved with a motion by Funk and a second by Cromer. All present voted aye to approve.

The consent agenda, consisting of previous board minutes was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Peasley. There were no new open enrollment requests either into or out of the District. All present voted aye to approve.

First up, under action items, Belinda Adkins was approved as van route driver. Ms Adkins will drive students from Mormon Trail CSD, stopping by Murray CSD to pick up a student, and on to Winterset Schools. The daily route will reverse in the p.m. The motion approves daily pay at $75 for both the a.m. and p.m. route. The van will return to Mormon Trail between the a.m. and p.m. routes daily. With a motion by Evans, the second by Funk, followed by ayes from all present, the motion passes. 

There were no resignations.

Seniors Mikayla Anderson, Cassy Casey, and Lilly Starkes spoke to the Board about fundraising the Senior class would like to do to increase the funds available for the Senior trip. Cromer made a motion to approve fundraisers for the Senior class with Casey’s and Krispy Kreme. Peasley seconded followed by ayes from all present.

Funk made the motion followed by a second from Evans to approve Advantage Administrators as administrators for the District’s Section 125 Plan. All present voted aye. Motion passes. Section 125 Plans allow the District to process certain employee medical payments as pre-tax which decreases the amount of taxes owed. IPERS also requires an approved administrator in order for that portion of the employee’s wages to be IPERS covered. 

Superintendent Phillips explained his progress on the review and revision of Board Policies. He has gone over Policy series 100, 200, 300 and part of 400. Motion to table any action on the Policies was made by Funk. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski.

A transportation agreement between Mormon Trail CSD and Murray CSD was approved. Secretary Rash was instructed to bill Murray CSD for ½ the actual costs with a motion by Evans, a second by Funk, followed by all aye votes to approve.

Cromer made a motion to approve the bills and financials. BMO, and some additional Nutrition and Activity bills have not been received as of the day of the meeting. The Board instructed the Business Office to go ahead and pay these bills when they come in and have Superintendent Phillips approve them. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Smiarowski and Funk. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe reported to the Board on ESSA. ESSA stands for Every Student Succeeds Act and is used in all Iowa Public School Districts to monitor student achievement.

An update on the sharing arrangement with Moravia for processing the District’s General Fund and SAVE Fund bills was given. The Board would like to add the Activity Fund and Nutrition Fund bill processing in the near future.   

Cromer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Funk seconded followed by all ayes in agreement. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 8:28 pm.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held February 11, 2019 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

_________  _________ 

Date               Date

These minutes are written as recorded by the board secretary and subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

December 12, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Peasley, Cromer and Smiarowski. Evans entered the meeting at 7:08 pm. Funk was absent. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary/High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Stephanie Bear, Kara Hilton, Belva Snow, Courtney Peasley, Lavern Tueth, Amanda Smith, Bob Gunzenhauser, Stevie Parmer, Lizzey Vanderflught, Mona Baker, Eric Beron, and Joseph Parmer.

The agenda was approved with the following change. Move the DLR presentation (E3) to the top after consent agenda. Motion by Cromer and the second by Peasley to approve with Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski voting aye. Funk and Evans were absent.

The consent agenda, consisting of previous board minutes was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Peasley. Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski voted aye. Funk and Evans were absent for the vote. There were no new open enrollment requests.

First up, under action items, DLR gave a presentation to the Board explaining the next steps should the Board decide to proceed with plans for a new school or remodeling the existing structures. Fees of 7.5% for design and new construction and 8.5% for remodeling were discussed. Compensation for the Architect’s Basic Services are as follows: Facility Assessments (Elementary School and Jr/Sr High School) $7750; Pre-Design Programming $22,000; and Bond Planning Services $7500. Cromer made the motion to approve the contract with DLR. Peasley seconded followed by aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. The contract with DLR may be viewed in the District Office, Humeston, IA.

Three para-educators were approved:

Karen Smith: motion by Peasley, second by Evans, and aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Smith will begin her duties Jan 3, 2019 @ $8.25 per hour.

Linda Flesher: motion by Evans, second by Peasley, and aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Flesher has begun her duties as a substitute @ $8.25 per hour.

April Moore: motion by Cromer, second by Peasley, and aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Moore has begun her duties as a substitute @ $8.25 per hour.

With a motion by Peasley, Amber Keith will begin her duties as a full-time Special Education/ At Risk instructor January 3, 2019. Her $35,000 salary and benefits will be prorated at 105/188 days. Cromer seconded followed by aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent.

Resignations from Dee Wetterling, para-educator and Josh Stiles, softball coach were accepted with a motion by Evans and a second by Cromer, Motion passes with aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Both resignations are effective immediately.

Evans made a motion to go into an Agreement of Service with Timberline Billing Service LLC. Timberline is a billing service for Medicaid reimbursement. The school will pay a fee of 6% of the net Medicaid reimbursement retained by the District. The motion was seconded by Cromer. Aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. The District will not pay any fees for services unless funds are received by the District.

Cromer made a motion to table discussion on a camera system at the elementary. Evans seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent.

Evans motioned to hire Mike Snyder as the Driver’s Education instructor for Spring of fy 2018-19 at a salary of $165 per student who finish the course. Costs will remain the same as last year. $250/resident student; $300/out of District student; and free and reduced waiver for in- District students only. Cromer seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent

Cromer made the motion followed by a second from Evans to apply for a Spanish I II III & IV waiver for 2019-2020.Motions passes with ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. The District is allowed to apply for a waiver if attempting to find a suitable instructor doesn’t succeed. This is a good opportunity for smaller school districts to be able to offer higher level courses with smaller student enrollment. This alternative enables the student to enroll in online classes the district would not otherwise be able to provide instructors for. This option has been provided by Iowa Learning Online classes.

Cromer motioned to accept the bid from Erick Cobb for snow removal for the winter of 2018-19. Evans seconded. The contract submitted will be for the same terms as 2017-18. “Mr. Cobb will remove the snow from the parking areas and driveways of the Jr/Sr High School in Garden Grove and the Elementary Building in Humeston at the rate of $85 per hour. A service charge of $600 will be paid at the inception of the agreement. Should the total charges for snow removal not exceed $2400 by May 31, 2019 an additional charge of $600 will be paid” Motion passes with aye votes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent

Evans made a motion to accept the bid of $.03 off posted pump price with necessary tax forms signed from MFA for super unleaded ethanol from the period Jan 1, 2019-Dec 31, 2019. A second bid was received from Agriland FS, Inc. for $1.70 per gallon plus applicable taxes. The motion was seconded by Peasley followed by ayes from Evans, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent Cromer abstained.

Evans motioned to accept the bid from Larry Baughman for $800 for the Ford Taurus. Peasley seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent Baughman’s bid was the only one submitted.

With a motion by Cromer, a second by Peasley, followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski a motion to go into an agreement with Medical Enterprises Inc to do the District’s drug and alcohol testing program was approved. Funk was absent. Currently, only DOT bus driver’s are required to participate in random screens.

An At-Risk/Dropout Prevention Application in the amount of $15,564 was approved with a motion by Cromer, a second by Peasley, followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. The funds will be used, in part. to fund a portion of the District’s shared Court Liaison, the school Nurse, Guidance Counselor, and At Risk teacher.

Out of state permission for Bill Moore to take a group of athletes to Newtown, MO for a sporting event in January was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Evans followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent.

Evans made a motion to approve the transporting of a student from Murray to Winterset. The District already transports a student from Mormon Trail to Winterset on a daily basis. Murray will reimburse Mormon Trail at the IRS rate for mileage and the driver’s wages for the extra miles and driver time. Cromer seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent.

Peasley made a motion to approve the bills and financials, including an extra $75 in technology fees for Teela Waugh. Cromer seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips gave brief updates to the Board.

Other guests speaking to the Board were Bob Gunzenhauser who presented a report on November Public Meetings held by the Building and Grounds committee in regard to building a new school in the District.

Mona Baker reported to the Board on the National FFA convention.

Courtney Peasley from the City of Humeston was present to report to the Board concerns and complaints the city and neighbors have had with a bus driver parking their bus on the city right of way. The city is requesting that the bus be parked totally on the driver’s property.

Services of the cleaning company FBG were also discussed and reviewed.  Any issues should be brought to Becky Stripe’s attention.

Cromer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Peasley seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Cromer, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:45 pm.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held January 14, 2019 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

_________  _________ 

Date               Date

These minutes are written as recorded by the board secretary and subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

Mormon Trail Community School District

Special Meeting

November 16, 2018

The Mormon Trail School Board met in special session November 16, 2018 in the Superintendent’s office, Humeston. 

President Smiarowski called the meeting to order at 5:18 p.m. Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski were present to answer roll call. Evans and Cromer were present via telephone. Superintendent Phillips and Secretary Rash were also present. There were no guests attending. Peasley made a motion to approve the agenda. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes.

Funk made a motion to move into closed session as allowed by Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (j). Evans seconded.  A roll call vote was taken. Evans aye, Peasley aye, Funk aye, Cromer aye and Smiarowski aye. Motion carries.

The Board moved into closed session at 5:25 pm.

The Board returned to open session at 5:36 pm.

Cromer made a motion to accept the offer as discussed in closed session and instructed president Smiarowski to sign the purchase agreement. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes from Evans, Peasley, Funk, Cromer and Smiarowski .

Cromer made the motion to adjourn followed by a second from Evans. All present voted aye in favor of adjournment.

President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 5:39 pm.

____________________________ ___________________________

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education

_________ 

These minutes are written as recorded by the board secretary and subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

November 12, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Peasley, Cromer, Funk, Evans and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary/High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, Brad Krutsinger, Stephanie Bear, Kara Hilton and Pam Woollis.

The agenda was approved with the following changes. Move the TLC presentation (F1a) to the top after consent agenda. Correct (F1c) wording from Science Teacher to Special Education Teacher. Motion by Cromer and the second by Peasley with all present voting aye to approve.

The consent agenda which included the previous meetings’ minutes and five open enrollment requests out of the District that met requirements, were approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Funk. All present voted aye to approve the motion.

The TLC team gave a report to the Board. Krutsinger reported that the TLC team continues to settle into the new program and their new roles. The group continues to support and provide feedback to teachers. Ideas for the use of the ICN building is also being discussed

First up, under action items, The following Schedule B contract was approved: Leslie Bexten was approved as JV/Assistant Varsity girls basketball coach (salary $2005) with a motion by Cromer, a second by Peasley and all aye votes.

Funk made a motion to enter into a one year agreement with Hy-Vee Distribution Center, Chariton, for the use of their truck wash facility at $35 per wash. Each bus driver will be responsible for washing their bus up to 9 times throughout the year. Cromer seconded. Funk, Cromer, Evans and Smiarowski voted aye, 0 nay votes and Peasley abstained. Additional washings for the activity bus and driver compensation will be discussed in the future.

Peasley made a motion to advertise for sealed bids on the 2007 Ford Taurus. The mileage is 126,299 miles. Sealed bids are due to the Board Secretary in the District office by 4 p.m. December 12^th. The board reserves the right to refuse any and all bids. Funk seconded followed by all ayes. Motion passes.

Evans made a motion to accept the resignation of Jean Wilson as Special Ed one-on-one. Cromer seconded followed by votes of aye from all present.

Cromer made the motion to allow a fundraiser for the sport’s/activities fund. Team wear will be sold at $3 profit per item. Evans seconded. All present voted aye. Motion passes.

Evans made a motion to approve an application to the SBRC for $66,640. Secretary Rash was directed to apply for Open Enrollment out not in Fall 2017 funding. There were 10 additional students Open Enrolled out fall 2018 but not on the 2017 certified enrollment. Rash will request the maximum modified supplemental amount for open enrollment out of $66,640 (10 x $6664) the District is eligible for. Funk seconded the motion with all voting aye.

Funk made a motion to add two updates to the Junior/Senior High School Parent-Student Handbook. The first deals with fundraising by students in grades 9-12. In part, “If a student chooses not to participate in fundraising, yet wants to participate in optional school activities they will be charged a reasonable fee to participate.”  

The second update deals with the Semester Test Policy. How a student may

1. “request a waiver of semester exams in the case where their family activities take them away from school for an extended period of time.

a. Must have administrative approval prior to absence

b. All Homework must be done in advance

c. The student must write a report about the trip and/or event. “

Cromer seconded. All present voted aye to pass the motion.

Funk made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips gave brief updates to the Board. Stripe presented and reviewed the District’s Equity Report with the Board. Superintendent Phillips talked about the use of At-Risk and special education funds. Medicaid billing is also something the District needs to look into. Phillips continues to look into open enrollment both in and out of the District.

Cromer made a motion to enter closed session under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (j). A roll call vote was taken. Cromer aye; Funk aye: Evans aye; Peasley aye; Smiarowski aye. The Board moved into closed session at 8:45 p.m.

The Board returned to open session at 9:05 p.m.

Funk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Cromer seconded followed by all ayes. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:07 pm.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held Wednesday, December 12, 2018 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

_________  _________ 

Date               Date

These minutes are written as recorded by the board secretary and subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

October 22, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:32 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Peasley, Cromer, Funk, Evans and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, Lori Reed, Brandi Dyer, Victoria Davis, Becky Bidwell, Karen Abel, Scott Roberts, Eric Baron, Jim Huse, Mona Baker, and Pam Woollis.

Guest, Becky Bidwell spoke to the Board about an incident that happened the prior week concerning her daughter and two other students at an in-town bus pickup. An out of town man who was temporarily working and living in town approached the girls and offered them a ride to school. A bus driver had witnessed the incident and reported it to the Humeston office. Both Ms Bidwell and the school reported the incident to law enforcement. The man reportedly is not in the area any longer. The public is encouraged to be vigilant in watching suspicious activity in the area and to alert the school or law enforcement if any activity which might create a dangerous situation is witnessed.

Bidwell left the meeting at 7:45 pm.

The agenda was approved with a motion by Peasley and a second by Funk. All present voted aye to approve.

The consent agenda which included the previous meetings minutes and open enrollment requests that met requirements, was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Peasley. All present voted aye to approve the motion. There were nine new open enrollment requests out of the District and three into the District reported.

First up, Eric Beron and Jim Huse representing DLR, told the Board they thought the public forum and supper held previous to the Board meeting was very encouraging with the number of community members attending. Beron and Huse will begin the next phase moving into the project planning stage for the new construction of a building in the District.

Beron and Huse left the meeting at 8:00 pm. 

The following Schedule B contracts were approved:

Aaron Parmer was approved as head boys basketball coach (salary $2900) with a motion by Evans, a second by Funk and all aye votes.

Katie Newton was approved as head girls basketball coach (salary $2900) with a motion by Evans, a second by Peasley and all aye votes.

Jason Newton was approved as JV/Assistant Varsity boys basketball coach (salary $2005) with a motion by Peasley, a second by Evans and all aye votes.

James Parmer was approved as JH boys basketball coach (salary $1750) with a motion by Evans, a second by Cromer and all aye votes.

Joseph Parmer was approved as JH girls basketball coach (salary $1750) with a motion by Cromer, a second by Evans and all aye votes.

The Board also approved Jessie Horton as a cook ($8.25/hour) with a motion by Funk, a second by Cromer and all aye votes.

Cromer made a motion to accept the resignation of Bill Hoover as Jr High boy’s basketball coach. Evans seconded followed by votes of aye from all present.

Scott Roberts was present asking to be reimbursed $1044 for classes he had been told to take by previous administration and then had not been assigned to teach. The credits were not needed for licensing. Peasley made a motion to reimburse the $1044. Evans seconded followed by all nay votes. Motion fails. Peasley amended the previous motion to reimburse the $1044 by adding that in the future any teacher seeking an endorsement must first be approved by the Board if they wish to apply for reimbursement. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes.

Smiarowski relinquished the chair, passing it to Evans. Smiarowski made a motion to allow Mona Baker to take four FFA students out of state to Indianapolis Indiana for Convention. Baker will be allowed use of the school’s procurement card and must turn in a financial summary prior to leaving on the trip. Signed receipts must be turned in immediately upon return. Funk seconded the motion followed by all ayes. Evans passed back the chair to Smiarowski.

Evans made the motion to approve the purchase of a new vehicle to be used mainly for driver’s education. The Board approved purchasing a 2016 Fusion from Fesler Auto Mall, Fairfield, for $15,393. Funk seconded. All present vote aye. Motion passes.

Last under action items, Cromer made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips briefly updated the Board on what was happening in the District.

Cromer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 8:50 pm.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held November 12, 2018 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

_________  _________ 

Date               Date

These minutes are written as recorded by the board secretary and subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer