Mormon Trail Community School Board Work Session
February 8, 2016
The Mormon Trail Board of Education met February 8, 2016 in the Elementary Library for a board work session. President Smiarowski opened the workshop at 7:02 p.m. Board members Lundahl, Peasley, Funk, Smiarowski and Evans answered roll call. Secretary Rash and Superintendent Paxson were also present.
Facility use of the District’s buildings and grounds was discussed. Board Policies No. 905.1; 905.1R1; 905.1R2; 905.1E1; and 905.1E2 were reviewed.
Funk moved to adjourn the work session with Peasley seconding. All voted in favor. President Smiarowski closed the session at 7:30 p.m.
MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
February 8, 2016
President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:31 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Funk, Evans, Peasley, Smiarowski and Lundahl. Superintendent, Lorna Paxson, Principals Mike Snyder and Steve Hunt and Board Secretary, Peggy Rash were in attendance. Guests present were Brad Krutsinger, MTEA, Stephanie Mendenhall, CPA, Robert Thatcher and David Woods. Jason Selby from the Humeston New Era was also present.
Stephanie Mendenhall was present to give the board her findings for the 2014-15 Audit Report. Some points of interest included how IPERS is now recorded in Iowa school district’s financials. Districts are required to record their portion of IPERS underfunded responsibility in both the General and Proprietary (Nutrition) Funds. Mendenhall reported that if IPERS became insolvent the District’s responsibility would be just over one million dollars. The District’s operating fund continued to decrease as spending exceeded revenues for the year. The Audit Report shows that unrestricted fund balances are critically low. An overall increase in K-12 enrollment this year will be followed by additional state aid next year. The District has also seen increased enrollment in the preschool program the past two years. Students open enrolled out of the District and the dollars that follow them continue to have an adverse impact on the District’s budget. Mendenhall also told the Board she would like to see the District continue with the 5 year plan for technology and capital projects put into place in 2013.
David Woods was present to continue the discussion and to answer questions about a semi-pro football team he would like to start up in Southern Iowa. He would like to use the school’s facilities for team practices and games May-July. Insurance requirements, team & player waivers and the District’s expectations for $0 costs to the District were part of the discussion.
Lundahl motioned to approve the agenda with Funk seconding. All present voted aye.
Evans made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of previous meeting minutes and open enrollment in/out requests that meet requirements. Funk seconded the motion to approve with all present voting aye. March 1 is the deadline for open enrollment requests for the 2016-17 school year.
After reviewing the month’s financials and a brief discussion about the bills presented for payment, Lundahl motioned to approve the financials and the February bills for payment. The motion also included payment to Central Decatur CSD for liaison, Brian Carson that was held from January. Mormon Trail’s portion of Carson’s salary ($ 11,928.21) has increased significantly due to family health insurance coverage. Payment to Stephanie Mendenhall, CPA ($7510) and audit filing fees ($250) to the state Auditor were also added to the list and approved for payment. Peasley seconded with all present voting aye.
Lundahl made a motion to approve the 2014-15 audit report as presented by Stephanie Mendenhall. Peasley seconded the motion with all voting aye. The report needs to be filed with the State Auditor by March 31.
Funk motioned and Evans seconded to approve an Independent Impasse Agreement between the District and the Mormon Trail Education Association (MTEA). All voted aye. The agreement allows the parties to continue negotiations beyond the May 31, 2016 deadline should it become necessary.
Robert Thatcher was approved as Head High School boys and girls Track Coach for spring 2016 at a salary of $2578. Elizabeth Vanderflught was approved to assist in all track activities at a salary of $1000. Lundahl made the motion to approve both Thatcher and Vanderflught with Evans seconding. All present voted aye. The assistant position has been added for this year only. Thatcher reported earlier in the meeting that 24 students were interested in participating in track this spring.
Lundahl made a motion to approve the use of facilities for David Woods providing legal and liability issues are worked out before practices and games begin. Funk seconded the motion with all voting aye.
Insurance requirements, team & player waivers and the District’s expectations for $0 costs to the District were part of the discussion. Woods is organizing a semi-pro football team and will use the District’s football field May-July for his team the Southern Iowa Saints.
Lundahl made a motion to approve a 2016-17 Budget Guarantee Resolution. The Code of Iowa, section 257.14 allows districts to levy for a regular program budget adjustment when regular program district costs are expected to decrease due to declining enrollment or low allowable growth. The District does not currently qualify for an adjustment but it is recommended that all Districts pass a resolution and file it with the Department of Management regardless. The resolution was seconded by Peasley and passed with Peasley voting aye, Lundahl voting aye, Funk voting aye, Evans voting aye, and Smiarowski voting aye.
Evans moved that the Instructional Support Program Levy Resolution of Participation be adopted as read and passed after a public hearing held January 11, 2016. Lundahl seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with the following votes. Peasley aye, Lundahl aye, Funk aye, Evans aye and Smiarowski aye. The motion carried and the resolution was adopted. The Mormon Trail CSD will continue the current instructional Support Levy for five years beginning July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021.
Next on the agenda was the discussion of Driver’s Education fees for non students. Funk made a motion to charge $250 for students who live in the District and an additional $50 (or $300) for students who live out of the district. Evans moved to amend by adding: /or are currently enrolled, to the original motion. Motion to charge $250 for students who live/ or are currently enrolled in the District and an additional $50 (or $300) for students who live out of the district. Peasley seconded the motion with all present voting aye.
Item #10 was tabled.
Evans made a motion to approve the modified supplemental amount for the District’s At Risk/Drop Out Prevention Application. The District will ask for $42,076. [$56,102, less 25% District cost of $14,026]. Lundahl seconded with all voting aye. The monies are funded 100% by property tax as part of the aid and levy process.
There were no final recommendations and review of the District’s facility use Policies No. 905.1; 905.1R1; 905.1E1; and 905.1E2 will continue.
Funk made a motion to approve the first reading of Board Policy 905.1R2, COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDINGS & SITES & EQUIPMENT FEES SCHEDULE. Evans seconded with all voting aye.
Administrative reports were given by Superintendent Paxson and Principals Steve Hunt and Mike Snyder.
Funk motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Evans seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment. Smiarowski closed the meeting 10:30 pm.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held March 14th 2016 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Elementary Library preceded by a workshop at 7:00 p.m.
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President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education
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