MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
January 22, 2020
President Evans called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:22 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Commons. Answering roll call were board members Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans. Smiarowski was absent. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Christian Hilton, Claudia Brown, Kara Hilton and Robin Hilton. Eric and Austin were also there from DLR.
There were no guests who wanted to speak to the Board.
The agenda was approved with a motion by Bear followed by a second from Dachenbach. Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans voted aye to approve. Smiarowski was absent.
The consent agenda which included the previous meeting minutes from Dec 9th and January 13th along with open enrollment requests that meet requirements, was approved with a motion by Bear and a second by Cromer. Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans voted aye to approve. Smiarowski was absent. There were no new open enrollments requests into or out of the District reported.
Cromer made a motion to accept the resignation of Cale Moore as baseball coach. Dachenbach seconded followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent. The Board would like to thank Moore for his years of service to the District.
The following Special Education Para educators were approved:
Caitlyn Clark – motion by Cromer, second from Dachenbach followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans. Smiarowski was absent.
Natasha Mitchell – motion by Dachenbach, second from Bear followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans. Smiarowski was absent.
The District will apply for an Education Standards Exemption for fy 2020-2021. Bear made the motion followed by a second from Dachenbach to apply for a Spanish I II III & IV waiver for 2020-2021. Motions passes with ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent. 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. This option has been provided by Iowa Learning Online classes. It was noted by Superintendent Phillips this will be the last year the program is offered.
The District will offer an Early Retirement incentive effective at the end of the current fiscal year 2019-2020. The plan is for full-time certified employees only. The District will provide single premium health insurance coverage for one year. The motion passes with a motion by Bear, a second from Dachenbach followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent.
A Dual Control Waiver for Great Western Bank was approved with a motion by Bear and a second from Dachenbach followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent.
Bear made the motion followed by a second from Cromer to approve Advantage Administrators as administrators for the District’s Section 125 Plan. Ayes were heard from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent. Motion passes. Section 125 Plans allow the District to process certain employee medical payments as pre-tax which decreases the amount of taxes owed. IPERS also requires an approved administrator in order for that portion of the employee’s wages to be IPERS covered.
Superintendent Phillips ask the Board to retract the action taken in December for the At Risk/Drop Out Prevention application. The amount approved in December was $4759 with a $1586 local match. Phillips ask that the amount be dropped to $0 as the District will not receive additional funding due to carryover left in the program’s balance. The motion was made by Dachenbach, and seconded by Cromer to accept Phillips recommendation. Motion passes with ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent.
MFA’s bid of $.03/gallon below the posted pump price less applicable taxes for ethanol fuel was accepted with a motion by Bear, a second from Dachenbach followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear and Evans to approve. Cromer abstained. Smiarowski was absent. Motion passes. MFA will supply the District’s ethanol fuel for the period January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. A second bid from Agriland FS for $1.745 per gallon plus applicable taxes (.293 cents per gallon) was also considered.
Cromer motioned to hire Mike Snyder as the Driver’s Education instructor for the Spring of 2020 at a salary of $165 per student finishing the course. Costs will remain the same as last year. $250/resident students. Also, for in District students, $165 with reduced waiver and no cost to students with free waiver. $300/all out of District students. Bear seconded followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent.
Last under action items, Cromer made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Dachenbach seconded followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent. Motion carries.
Superintendent Phillips briefly updated the Board on what was happening in the District. He reported that several staff and students have enjoyed visiting WACO CSD to observe their 4-day school week.
.
Cromer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Dachenbach seconded followed by ayes from Dachenbach, Bear, Cromer and Evans to approve. Smiarowski was absent.
Evans closed the meeting at 8:34 pm.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020 @ 7:00 pm in the District Office in Garden Grove.
____________________________ ___________________________
President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education
_________ _________
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