MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
January 8, 2018
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 Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Guests were Jan Lundahl, Claudia Brown, Andy Graham, David Lundahl, Kimberly Hayes, Renae Poush, Rachel Graham and Kim Brown. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era entered the meeting at 7:20 pm.
Evans made a motion to approve the agenda with Cromer seconding. All present voted ayes.
The consent agenda, which included the previous meeting’s minutes and bills and financials, were first up. Cromer made the motion to approve and Funk seconded the motion. Motion passes with all present voting aye.
Administrative reports were given by Principal Becky Stripe and Superintendent Kerry Phillips. Stripe reported 2nd semester has started and winter testing has begun. Stripe also reported that the District has started the implementation of a new JMC messaging alert system. District alerts will be issued using Farmer’s Bank, JMC and local news stations.
Superintendent Phillips told the Board the District would need to look into what they wanted to do about transportation next school year. The District’s lease with Durham School Services ends May 31, 2018. Transportation Director Willard Armstrong and Mormon Trail Bus Drivers will look at options available to the District. Phillips also discussed the Community dinner to be held later in the month of January or February. The purpose of the dinner will be to get community involvement and to begin developing a 5-yr plan for the District both financially and in regard to District facilities. It is hoped the District can put together a Building and Grounds Committee to lead the 5-yr plan concerning District facilities. The SIAC, (School improvement Advisory Committee) will be revitalized to help with the 5-yr plan as well. A survey asking for public input about the Mormon Trail School District will be available that evening for the public to fill out as well. Supper will be chili and all the trimmings served by the MT Music Dept. A free will offering for the meal will be accepted as a donation also to the MT Music Dept.
There were no new contracts offered.
There were no resignations.
Cromer made a motion to approve a late open enrollment request out of the District for 2017-18 as the application met all requirements. Funk seconded followed by all ayes from the Board.
Next on the agenda, Superintendent Phillips made a recommendation to the Board to terminate the custodian contract of Andrew Graham. Graham then presented information to the Board concerning his employment with the District as a custodian. Board member Brad Funk made a motion to accept the recommendation of Superintendent Kerry Phillips to terminate the custodian contract of Andrew Graham. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes from the Board.
Evans motioned to approve the 2nd reading and adoption of Board Policy 803.1. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes from the Board.
District Board Secretary and Business Manager Peggy Rash presented a proposal for an Early Retirement Plan to be effective at the end of the current fiscal year. The Board asked Rash to rewrite the most recent plan and to offer a yearly benefit of $650 per month to anyone who qualifies and chooses to accept Early Retirement. The motion to have Rash draw up the Plan with the recommended benefit was made by Funk and seconded by Peasley. All present voted aye. Currently, in part, an employee must be at least 55 years of age by the retirement date of June 30, 2018, was actively employed full-time (as defined by Iowa Code Section 279.13) during the last school year prior to early retirement, and accepts and notifies the Board by March 31, 2018 of their decision to accept the Early Retirement Plan. The Board will look at the retirement plan again in February.
Evans made a motion to hire James Dentler as a substitute van driver. Cromer seconded followed by a vote of aye from all present.
General discussion items were looking into participating with our insurance carrier EMC in a Safe School project and developing a working vendor list for use within the District.
Funk motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Cromer seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held February 12,
2018 @ 7:00 p.m. 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