MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ANNUAL MEETING
September 19, 2017
President Smiarowski called the Annual meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:37 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Lundahl, Evans, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk was absent. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were present. Linda Horton, Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests were Mona Baker, FFA advisor and FFA members Reece Myers and Olivia Halferty.
First up, guests, Baker, Myers and Halferty presented the schedule of events planned for the FFA chapter this school year. They have a busy year ahead of them.
Lundahl made a motion to approve the agenda with Peasley seconding. With a vote of all ayes, the motion passes.
Lundahl motioned to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, both regular and special meetings, 2 new open enrollments out of the District that meet requirements, and the use of the Humeston kitchen and commons by football parents for serving supper 4 Sunday nights prior to games. The motion included waiving the rule (for this request only) that no school activities be permitted on Sunday. Evans seconded the motion followed by all ayes. Motion passes. Note that the only activity permitted on Sunday is open gym from 1-4 pm which is not a school sponsored activity.
Administrative reports were given by Principal Becky Stripe and Superintendent Kerry Phillips.
Moving on to the action items, Lundahl made a motion to pay the September bills. Peasley seconded and all in attendance voted aye. It was noted that Van Maanen Electric who is doing the sports lighting at Humeston will receive the balance of their contracted price less the $6931.25 retainage fee as all work is not complete at this time.
Lundahl motioned to approve the financial report. Followed by a second from Peasley and a vote of all ayes, the motion passes.
The June 30, 2017 depository report was approved in a motion by Lundahl, a second by Evans and a vote of aye from all members present.
Evans motioned to approve the purchase of new lap top computers, keyboards, and cases for use by school board members. Lundahl seconded followed by all ayes. Total cost of the new technology is $6331.82.
Lundahl motioned to approve the transfer of balances from no longer needed class accounts into the activity fund. The second came from Peasley. With all present voting aye the motion passes.
A motion to participate in the Iowa Drug and Alcohol Testing Program (DATP) was made by Lundahl and seconded by Peasley. All present voted aye. The hiring of bus drivers necessitated the need.
An agreement for volleyball participation was approved with a motion by Lundahl and a second by Evans. All ayes followed.
An agreement for the use of borrowing band instruments was approved with a motion by Lundahl and a second by Peasley. All ayes from those present. Motion passes.
The following new hires were approved:
Before and after school program
Elizabeth Vanderflught – coordinator
Claudia Brown – certified sub
Laura Leeper – associate
Malorie Irving – associate
Motion by Lundahl; second by Peasley to approve. Pay for the program is set at $20/per hour for certified employees and $15 for associates. Motion carries with all ayes
Paraprofessionals
Jenna Street
Sydney Stock
Motion by Lundahl; second by Peasley to approve. Motion carries with all ayes.
Schedule B
Kara Hilton – Freshman class sponsor
HS Student Council sponsor – Adam Hysell
Motion by Evans; second by Peasley to approve. Motion carries with all ayes. (Note that Hysell had been approved in August for the Student Council position but turned it down but has since reconsidered. )
In a motion by Evans, a second from Peasley, and all ayes from Cromer, Peasley, Evans and Smiarowski, the following sharing arrangements with other Districts were approved:
Human Resources will be shared between Harmony CSD, Mormon Trail CSD and Van Buren CSD.
Transportation Director will be shared between Moravia and Mormon Trail.
Maintenance Director will be shared between Mormon Trail and Moravia.
In August, the Board voted to share Kerry Phillips as Curriculum Director with Harmony. Included in the current motion this appointment will be reversed. In addition, Harmony’s Vititoe will not replace Phillips as proposed for shared curriculum. Superintendent Phillips does not recommend sharing a curriculum position as the allowed sharing dollar maximum has been met with the other shared positions
Additional transportation assignments were next up for discussion. With a motion by Evans and a second by Peasley, Stephanie Beavers was approved as a substitute van driver. The lead driver position was tabled until the new shared Transportation Director is available to evaluate the District’s transportation needs. The motion passes with a vote of all ayes.
Lundahl made a motion to approve a three-year contract with Edgenuity for $6500 per year. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes. Edgenuity is an online program used for class offerings and credit recovery.
Evans motioned to approve the Boards top 2017 IASB Legislative Resolutions. Those found to be top priorities for the Mormon Trail CSD are: 1. Preschool, 2. Supplemental State Aid, 3. Unfunded Mandates, and 4.School Infrastructure/ SAVE (secure and advanced vision for education). Peasley seconded the motion. Followed by all ayes the motion passes.
Lundahl made a motion to approve Verle Norris and Ahler’s Law Firm as school attorneys for 2017-18 and also named the Humeston New Era as the official publication for the District. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes.
The board approved the Canvass of votes for the Sept 12th School Board Election with a motion by Lundahl and a second by Peasley. Motion passed with a vote of all ayes. Marc Smiarowski (136 votes) and Jeremy Cromer (63 votes) won the two open seats on the Board. They will each serve a four-year term. Other candidates were Tami Arnold (40 votes), Stephanie Bear (55 votes) and Angela Johnson (17 votes). Long time board member, Jan Lundahl, did not seek reelection and will not be serving as a Mormon Trail CSD board member next term.
Smiarowski reported that the sports lighting project is near completion with the final work to be completed by the end of September. The roof repairs in Garden Grove are done and the Humeston roof, weather cooperating, will be done by the end of October. Commercial Roof Coatings, LLC is completing the work on both buildings.
Lundahl made a motion to adjourn. Followed by a second from Peasley and a vote of all ayes, President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 10:07 pm.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The organizational meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Education was held directly following the annual meeting on September 19th in the Humeston Elementary Library. Secretary Peggy Rash called the meeting to order at 10:10 p.m. Marc Smiarowski, Pat Evans, Jason Peasley and Jeremy Cromer was present. Brad Funk was absent. First on the agenda, Rash administered the oath to newly elected board members, Jeremy Cromer and Marc Smiarowski.
Next, Peasley nominated Marc Smiarowski as President of the Board. Evans motioned to cease nominations. Smiarowski was named President with a vote of aye from Evans, Peasley and Cromer. Smiarowski abstained. Funk was not present.
Secretary Rash administered the oath of office to President Smiarowski.
President Smiarowski asks for nominations for Board Vice President. Peasley nominated Pat Evans as Vice President of the Board. Cromer motioned to cease nominations. Evans was named Vice President with a vote of aye from Smiarowski, Peasley and Cromer. Evans abstained. Funk was not present.
Evans made a motion to appoint Peggy Rash as Secretary-Treasurer of the Board. Cromer seconded followed by all ayes.
President Smiarowski administered the oath to Vice President, Pat Evans and Secretary-Treasurer, Peggy Rash.
New business Superintendent Phillips raised to the newly formed Board is to consider the advertising and proposed contract for a technology director. In August the Board had approved the letting of bids for the position.
Peasley made the motion to designate the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library for the Board to meet beginning in October, 2017.
Peasley made a motion to adjourn the meeting followed by a second from Cromer and all ayes from Smiarowski, Evans, Peasley and Cromer. President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 10:31 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held October 9,
2017 @ 7:00 p.m. in the Elementary Library.
____________________________ ___________________________
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