Mormon Trail

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

August 31, 2020    

Board President Evans called the special meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 6:11 pm via a ZOOM electronic meeting. Answering roll call via ZOOM were board members Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer, Smiarowski and Evans. Board Secretary Peggy Rash, Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips were also present via ZOOM. 53 guests in total signed on via ZOOM.

No one spoke during the Public Forum.

The agenda was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second from Dachenbach. Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer, Smiarowski and Evans voted aye to approve.

The only action item was District action in response to Covid situation. Superintendent Phillips reported the District has an active case in the JH/HS building. Public Health has recommended full mask use at the Jr High/High School. Phillips also reported he had purchased 1200 masks over the weekend for use in the District. Principal Stripe, Nurse Hoyt and Superintendent Phillips addressed students at an assembly Aug 31^st.

After much discussion, Cromer made a motion to mandate the use of masks when social distancing is not possible. School-wide, PK-12, students and staff will be required to wear approved face masks, shields or face coverings in all common areas of the facilities where social distancing is not possible. Masks may only be removed with permission and guidance of teachers. Dachenbach seconded the motion followed by the following vote. Elizabeth Dachenbach-aye; Stephanie Bear-aye; Marc Smiarowski-nay; Jeremy Cromer-aye; and Pat Evans-aye. Motion passes.

Mr Phillips will contact the District’s legal counsel in regard to information about a possible mask

mandate on school grounds/buses/athletic facilities.

Smiarowski motioned to adjourn the meeting. Cromer seconded followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer, Smiarowski and Evans.

President Evans closed the meeting at 7:21 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held Wednesday, September 16, 2020 @ 6:30 pm in the Elementary Commons in Humeston and/or via ZOOM.

____________________________ ___________________________

              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 BOARD MEETING

August 12, 2020

President Evans called the Regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Garden Grove District office. Answering roll call in person were board members Cromer, Evans, Dachenbach and Smiarowski. Director Bear was present via telephone. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe, Board Secretary Peggy Rash, Secretary Stevie Parmer, John Hansen, MCC, Stacie Porterfield, Kara Hilton and Karen Abel with the Humeston New Era were also in attendance. Fourteen guests joined the meeting via ZOOM.

The agenda was amended by adding JH football shared with Chariton to #12 and moving bills and financials to the end of the action items. The agenda was then approved with a motion by Smiarowski and a second from Cromer. Motion passes with all present voting aye.

The consent agenda, consisting of previous meeting minutes and open enrollment requests was approved with a motion from Smiarowski, a second by Cromer and ayes from all present. There were no new open enrollments into or out of the District to report.

There were no new resignations to report.

A new contract was approved for Jacob Phillips, Technology Coordinator. Phillips will work four days per week during the school year and two days per week during summer break. He will receive a salary of $24,000 for his July 1-June 30 contract. Benefits include single $1000 deductible insurance with a $33/ month employee contribution, 7 days vacation and other leave as defined in the 2020-2021 Master Contract. The motion was made by Smiarowski and seconded by Cromer. Motion passes with aye votes from all present.

Kim Wilson was hired to teach First Grade. Wilson was offered a one-year contract with a motion by Smiarowski and a second from Cromer. All present voted aye to approve.

The Junior High/High School History position was filled by Caitlin Clark with a motion from Smiarowski and a second from Dachenbach. All present voted aye to approve.

Fall sports coaching positions were approved contingent on licensing, student numbers and State of Iowa guidelines:

Head HS football – Travis Johnson

Assistant HS football – Travis Pollock

Volunteer Assistant – Keaton Gwinn

Volunteer Assistant – Jason Newton

Volunteer Assistant – Jordon Brown

Head HS volleyball – Josh Stiles

Assistant HS volleyball – Leslie Bexten

Volunteer Assistant – Katie Newton

JH volleyball – Kristy Knutson

Volunteer Cheer – Breanna Glenn

No JH coaches were named

Motion by Bear, second by Dachenbach, all aye votes from those present.

Winter sports coaching positions were approved contingent on licensing, student numbers and State of Iowa guidelines:

Head HS boy’s basketball – Aaron Parmer

Assistant HS boy’s basketball – Jason Newton

Head HS girl’s basketball – Joseph Parmer

Assistant HS girl’s basketball – Leslie Bexten

No JH coaches were named

Motion by Bear, second by Cromer, all aye votes from those present.

Spring sports coaching positions were approved contingent on licensing, student numbers and State of Iowa guidelines:

Head HS Track – Co-coaches Elizabeth Vanderflught and Leslie Bexten

Head HS boys Golf – Cale Moore

Head HS girls Gold – Cassie Moore

No JH coaches were named

Motion by Dachenbach, second by Cromer, all aye votes from those present.

Summer sports coaching positions were approved contingent on licensing, student numbers and State of Iowa guidelines:

Head HS Baseball – Jason Newton

Assistant HS Baseball – Keaton Gwinn

JH Baseball – Keaton Gwinn

HS Softball – Noone named

JH Softball – Noone named

Motion by Dachenbach, second by Cromer, all aye votes from those present.

Schedule B extra duty assignments were approved with a motion from Dachenbach and a second from Cromer. All present voted aye to approve.

John Hansen was present to discuss building plans. A motion by Smiarowski and a second by Dachenbach directed Secretary Rash to pay $6490.64 to MCC from bond funds. The remainder of construction related fees and expenses will continue to be paid from SAVE funds. All present voted aye to approve the motion.

With a motion from Cromer and a second from Bear the Board approved certified teacher, Crystal Boggs’ request for an unpaid one-year leave of absence. All present voted aye to approve the leave.

The next regular board meeting, September 9^th, 6:30 pm has been chosen as the time and date for a public hearing on the Instructional Support levy. A motion by Smiarowski, a second from Cromer, followed by aye votes from all present passed the motion.

With a motion from Bear and a second from Cromer the Board approved the following concerning the use of face masks for students. Students will be encouraged, but not required, to wear face masks when social distancing is not possible. Masks will be provided by the District. Evans voted nay and Dachenbach, Cromer, Bear and Smiarowski voted aye to approve the motion.

Elementary and High School handbooks, including an updated non-discrimination statement, were approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Bear. All present voted aye to approve. The handbooks will be put on the District’s website.

The Board approved the second reading and waived the 3^rd reading of Board Policy 403.1 which discusses employee physicals. Drivers are required to pass DOT physicals to keep their driver’s authorization current. Smiarowski motioned to change the wording to allow Director Indorf to circumvent the current policy and allow drivers be sent to the most economical medical facility for their physicals. Dachenbach seconded followed by aye votes from Evans, Smiarowski, Dachenbach and Cromer. Bear abstained.

District Nurse Kathay Hoyt’s salary was up next for discussion. Hoyt had originally been approved in June as a .8 FTE. After review, Cromer motioned to increase Hoyt’s FTE from .8 to 1 FTE on the salary scale. Hoyt’s salary for BA Step 9 will be $40,912. The motion was seconded by Bear followed by aye votes from Evans, Bear, Dachenbach and Cromer. Smiarowski abstained.

In a motion by Bear, Music and Band instructor Richard Traylor will receive an extended contract for duties beyond his teaching contract for $2500 for the 2020-2021 year. School counselor Cayle Buckingham will receive an extended ten day contract in the amount of $233 per day for duties outside of her contracted days during summer break. Dachenbach seconded followed by all ayes from those present.

Additional consideration was given to Juan Martinez, crossing guard and Nutrition Director, Sandy Moore. Martinez will receive an extra $3 per am and pm shift, Moore will move from an hourly position to a salaried position. Moore will receive $32,500 per year working 240 days, July 1 – June 30^th. Benefits include single $1000 deductible insurance paid by the District, 10 days’ vacation and other leave as defined in the 2020-2021 Master Contract. Motion by Smiarowski, second by Dachenbach followed by aye votes from everyone present passes the motion.

In a motion by Smiarowski and a second by Dachenbach the Board has agreed to have the Junior High football boys who wish to participate join the Chariton Junior High football team this fall. The District will provide transportation to Chariton. All present voted aye to pass the motion.

Bills and financials were approved with a motion from Cromer and a second from Smiarowski. Cromer, Evans, Smiarowski and Dachenbach voted aye to approve the motion. Bear abstained due to being on the telephone and not being able to look at the bills.

Cromer motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Dachenbach seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Evans closed the meeting at 9:30 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held September 9, 2020 @ 6:30 pm in the District Office in Garden Grove.

____________________________ ___________________________

              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