MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
February 25, 2019
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, Evans, and Smiarowski. Funk entered the meeting at 7:05 p.m. 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 Lizzey Vanderflught, Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, Pam Woollis, Stephanie Bear, Kara Hilton, Teri Indorf, Robert Thatcher and Dylan Jones.
The agenda was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Peasley. All present voted aye to approve.
The consent agenda, consisting of previous board minutes and one open enrollment request out of the District was approved with a motion by Peasley and a second by Evans. All present voted aye to approve.
First up, under action items, the following contracts were approved:
JH boys and girls Track-Robert Thatcher. Motion by Funk, second by Evans followed by all aye votes.
HS boys and girls Track-Elizabeth Vanderflught. Motion by Cromer, second by Funk followed by all aye votes.
Assistant HS boys and girls Track-Robert Thatcher. Motion by Evans, second by Cromer followed by all aye votes.
HS boys and girls Golf- Co-coaches- Cale Moore and Cassie Moore. Motion by Evans, second by Cromer followed by all aye votes.
HS Baseball- Co-coaches-Jason Newton and Cale Moore. Motion by Evans, second by Funk followed by all aye votes.
HS Softball- Cassie Moore. Motion by Funk, second by Cromer followed by all aye votes.
1:1 para-educator-Joan Langloss @ $9.53/hr. Motion by Evans, second by Cromer followed by all aye votes.
There were no resignations.
The Senior Class trip was next up for discussion. Class Sponsors Teri Indorf and Dylan Jones were present to discuss the trip and to ask questions of the Board. Indorf and Jones were directed to the Student Handbook on the school’s website for basic instructions. The handbook says Seniors are the only students eligible to go on Senior trip. The group traveling to the Ozarks in May will consist of 7 girls, 5 boys, 2 sponsors and the bus driver and his wife. The dates the group usually goes on is Thursday-Sunday. This year there is a conflict and the group wishes to leave on Saturday and return on Tuesday. Also, the lodging has yet to be finalized. $500 or less per person is the suggested cost of the trip. The Senior Class still has a couple of fund raisers to earn some extra money for their trip. Indorf and Jones were invited back to the March meeting to further discuss the trip and to get Board approval on their final agenda and budget. No formal action was taken at this time.
Athletic Director, Robert Thatcher, was present to discuss the process for evaluation and hiring of coaches. Thatcher was directed to the Coaching handbook which contains agreements for coaches to sign and to file in the employee’s personnel file. Background checks will be completed on all coaches. Teach Iowa is the required location to list all positions of the District. The idea to hire for all coaching positions at the same time teacher contracts are written in late spring seems like a good plan so that coaches have time to work together and make plans for the next school year. AD Thatcher, was invited back to the March meeting to further discuss these ideas. No formal action was taken at this time.
Cromer made a motion to approve the purchase of kickboxing equipment using a grant Ms Hilton received for high school PE classes. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes to approve. Kara Hilton was present to explain to the Board what cardio kick boxing is all about. She explained it is a good sport for students who may not excel in traditional sports and allows kids to participate at their own pace. The equipment will be used for high school PE classes but not for elementary PE.
A new policy, Code No. 713 “CANCELLING SCHOOL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER” will be added following a motion by Cromer and a second from Funk to approve the first reading. The policy will be on the agenda next meeting as well. All present voted aye to approve.
Evans made a motion to move towards using a CFPM model with ISFIS & Piper Jaffrey. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes.
The First reading of Board Policy changes for series 100-500 was approved with a motion by Evans and a second by Cromer. All present voted aye. Each Board member was assigned a series of policies to review. The second reading of the policies will be on the agenda next meeting.
Funk made a motion to continue sharing a TAG instructor with Wayne CSD in fy 2019-20. Cromer made the second followed by all aye votes.
A motion to table a decision on offering an Early Retirement incentive was made by Funk. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes.
Jester breakdown insurance was the next topic up for discussion. Funk made a motion for Superintendent Phillips to get quotes for the next meeting. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes from those present.
Bills were approved at a Special meeting of the Board on February 13th.
Principal Stripe reported to the Board that Iowa Workforce will be coming to the High School in March to work with Junior and Senior students on resumes, mock job interviews and job seeking skills. A group of Juniors and Seniors will be visiting the SWCC campus in Creston for a fun and educational day of tours and activities.
Superintendent Phillips announced a meeting with DLR @ 4 pm March 26th followed by a community meeting @ 5:30 pm to discuss the building project.
Cromer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Funk seconded followed by all ayes in agreement. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:03 pm.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held March 11, 2019 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.
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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