MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
August 8, 2016
President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Funk, Evans, Lundahl, Peasley and Smiarowski. Superintendent Lorna Paxson, Secondary Principal Steve Hunt and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also in attendance. Lundahl made a motion to approve the agenda. Peasley seconded the motion to approve with all present voting aye. Motion carried. Funk moved to approve the consent agenda which included approval of previous meeting minutes and open enrollment in/out requests that meet requirements. Peasley seconded with all voting aye. After reviewing the month’s financial reports, Peasley made a motion to approve. Lundahl seconded with all present voting aye. Following a brief discussion about the bills presented for payment, Peasley motioned to approve the August bills for payment. Lundahl seconded with all present voting aye. Evans made a motion to accept the resignations of Elementary Principal, Mike Snyder and Secondary Special Education teacher, Karey Palmer. Peasley seconded. All present voted aye. Motion carried. Superintendent Paxson reported that Snyder will be staying on as Athletic Director and Driver’s Education and Elementary Physical Education Instructor. Paxson is uncertain at this time if a second Special Ed position will need to be filled. Lundahl made a motion to waive the late resignation fee for both Palmer and Snyder. Funk seconded with all present voting aye. A late fee may be charged to employees who resign after May 15th and can be waived with the approval of the Board. Lundahl made a motion to have Superintendent Paxson apply for a waiver for Spanish I II III & IV. The motion was seconded by Peasley. All voted in favor. 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. In past years this option has been provided at zero cost to the district but this year Iowa Learning Online will cost $250 per student per semester. Funk made a motion to approve the Elementary and Secondary handbooks. Peasley seconded with all present voting aye. The handbooks can be found on the District’s website. www.mormontrailcsd.org Lundahl made a motion to approve the amended 2016-17 2017-18 Master contract. Evans seconded the motion. All present voted aye. Admin contracts were up next for approval. Evans made a motion to approve with Peasley seconding. All voted aye. Items up for discussion were negative balances in the student accounts in the Nutrition Fund and the need to look at tougher board policy to keep them current. The Board encourages anyone who thinks they may qualify for free or reduced meals to fill out an application. There is nothing to lose by filling out the application which may be picked up at both the elementary and secondary offices. Discussion continued on lighting concerns around the District’s baseball/softball fields and the football field in Humeston. Superintendent Paxson reported on what she had found out concerning bidding and oversight requirements necessary to complete this type of project. The topic will be discussed in greater detail in upcoming board sessions. Marc Smiarowski spoke briefly on the idea of resurrecting the building and grounds committee. The District has had various committees in the past to handle concerns relating to both external and internal matters. All of these topics will be revisited during upcoming months. The Annual and Reorganizational meetings will be held at the next regular session of the Board September 12th at 7:30 pm at the Humeston Elementary School. Everyone is excited to be beginning a new school year. Registration was August 9th. Classes for both Elementary and JH/HS begin August 23rd. Peasley motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Lundahl seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:26 pm.
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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