April 9, 2018 Minutes

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing

April 9, 2018

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7 pm for public comment on the proposed 2018-19 Budget.  Answering roll call were board members Evans, Cromer, Funk and Smiarowski. Peasley entered the hearing at 7:05. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. There were no public comments on the proposed budget. Evans made a motion to adjourn with Peasley seconding. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:16 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing

April 9, 2018

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7:17 pm for public comment on the proposed 2017-18 Budget Amendment.  Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Cromer, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. There were no public comments on the proposed budget amendment. Peasley made a motion to adjourn with Funk seconding. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:30 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

April 9, 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 Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Claudia Brown, Kim Hayes, Chris Hilton, Mona Baker, Brad Krutsinger, Stephanie Bear, Pam Woollis, and Kara Hilton.

Visitors were welcomed. Mona Baker was acknowledged and addressed the Board about FFA activities. Some items addressed by Baker were the Hamburg trip the 12th and 13th, the Food for America Program the 18th, and State convention the 22nd through the 24th. Baker reported that the group has one student participating in state band and one in state chorus. The group has a busy schedule over the next several weeks.

The consent agenda, which included agenda approval, approval of the previous meeting’s minutes and open enrollment (none), was first up. Peasley made the motion to move item 2 under discussion items to the top of the agenda and then motioned to approve the consent agenda.  Cromer seconded. Motion passes with all present voting ayes.

Next, President Smiarowski asks for discussion on TLC (Teacher Leadership and Compensation System). The program is in its second year at Mormon Trail. Several staff members, including Brad Krutsinger, Kim Hayes, Claudia Brown and Mona Baker updated the Board on the program.   

Cromer made a motion to approve Cale Moore and Jason Newton as baseball co-coaches for 2017-18. Pay for head coach and assistant coach will be combined and split between Moore and Newton. The motion also included hiring Josh Stiles as head softball coach for the 2017-18 summer season. The motion was followed with a second by Funk and all aye votes from the Board.

High School summer school was tabled until May.

With a motion by Evans and a second by Cromer the Board voted to accept the resignation of Jason Aldridge, High School Science teacher. All present voted aye to accept. Aldridge will serve out his contract and will continue until classes are finished in May.

Funk motioned to approve the 2018-19 budget. Evans seconded followed by all ayes to approve.

Cromer motioned to approve a budget amendment for 2017-18.Peasley seconded and all Board members present voted aye to approve.

A request for the Board to pay full tuition for a teacher to acquire further certification in their current job position was approved with a motion by Funk, a second by Peasley and a unanimous vote of aye by Board members present. The motion included a stipulation that the teacher sign a five-year commitment to stay in the District. If the teacher does not stay for the five years they will pay back a pro-rated amount of 20% per year that is left on the agreement. The agreement amends current board policy 408.1.

With a motion by Cromer the old football field lights will be advertised and sealed bids will be accepted until May 14th @ 4pm. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes.

Peasley motioned to approve the 2018-19 calendar presented by Mr. Phillips and to hold a public hearing for the 2018-19 school calendar on May 14th @ 7 pm. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes.

Funk made a motion to extend the school day 19 minutes beginning April 16th through the end of the school year, May 23rd. May 23rd will be a full day instead of ½ day as originally planned. Evans seconded followed by all aye votes.

Peasley made a motion to renew the District’s 403B Administrative Services Agreement with the Department of Management. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes.

Evans motioned to renew the Educational Services Contracts with SWCC for 2018-19. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes. 

Mowing needs for summer 2018 were next up for discussion. Funk made a motion to accept bids for Garden Grove and to pay an hourly rate of $8.25 per hour for mowing at Humeston. Bids for Garden Grove would include furnishing their own equipment. The school would provide the mowing and trimming equipment for Humeston. Applicants and bidders must be 16 and over. Evans seconded followed by all aye votes.

Cromer motioned to charge the same as last year for Driver’s Education classes. Amounts will be  $300 for out of District, $250 In District, and $165 for those who qualify for reduced fees.  Funk seconded. All present voted aye.

Non DOT employee drug testing was next up for discussion. While District needs are not finalized, Evans made a motion to send District Nurse, Laura Funk for training on how to properly collect urine specimens for testing. Peasley seconded followed by aye votes from Smiarowski, Peasley, Cromer and Evans. Funk abstained.

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

Principal Stripe gave her report to the Board. Some items she mentioned were a Career Day on Friday, 13th, MAP testing, the High School play, and graduation and prom planning. Seniors have all received their required CPR training with Butch and Susie Gibbs. Superintendent Phillips updated the Board on the overnight trip to Nebraska City on Thursday, 12th and Friday, 13th. The group toured Hamburg and Shenandoah Schools on Friday. One bus will be delivered to the District before school is out with the other three being delivered before school starts in August. Secretary Rash reported there had been no teachers apply for Early Retirement,

Funk motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Peasley seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held May 14, 2018 @ 7:10 pm in the Elementary Library. Calendar hearing @ 7 pm followed by the Regular meeting.

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              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

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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