MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
July 9, 2020
President Evans called the Regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 6:35 p.m. in the Garden Grove District office. Answering roll call were board members Cromer, Evans, Dachenbach, Bear and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe, Board Secretary Peggy Rash, Transportation Director, Keith Indorf, Secretary Stevie Parmer, and Food Director Sandy Moore were also present. Twelve guests joined the hearing via ZOOM.
The agenda was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second from Dachenbach. Motion passes with all present voting aye.
The consent agenda, consisting of previous meeting minutes and open enrollment requests was approved with a motion from Smiarowski, a second by Dachenbach and ayes from all present. There were no new open enrollments in or out of the District to report.
First under action items, the resignation of Ed Coffey, bus driver, was accepted with a motion by Cromer and a second from Smiarowski. All aye votes were heard to approve. The Board would like to thank Ed for his years of service and dedication to the Mormon Trail District
A new contract was approved for Scott Roberts to teach Driver’s Education. Roberts will receive $165 per each student completing the course. Student costs will be out of District $300, District $250, reduced $165. The motion was made by Cromer and seconded by Dachenbach. Motion passes with all aye votes from all present.
K-12 Principal Becky Stripe and Business Manager/Board Secretary Peggy Rash will both receive a 2.3% increase in their salaries effective July 1, 2020. Both will continue to receive insurance paid by the District. Motion by Smiarowski, second by Dachenbach followed by all ayes from those present to approve.
John Hansen was not present to address item #3.
Sandy Moore, Food and Nutrition Director, was up to discuss the Nutrition program for the coming year and to get bids approved for groceries and dairy. Moore said the Program will be audited this year. She is planning to meet with the Wellness committee soon to get things planned out. She plans to have a zoom link available for the discussion. Moore also updated the Board about the 4-day week and Covid-19 plans. Smiarowski made a motion to approve the following meal prices: Adults $4.00; students breakfast $1.35 lunch $2.25; free and reduced are unchanged. Bids for groceries from Kohl’s and Dairy from AE were also in the motion. Dachenbach seconded followed by all aye votes.
The contract with the Mormon Trail Education Association (MTEA) was approved which includes a 2.3% increase in the generator base for Schedule A certified wages. The generator base will increase from $30,971 to $31,683. TSS funding of $5229 per teacher will be added to bring the base starting wage from $35,000 to $36,912. Motion by Smiarowski, second by Dachenbach followed by all aye votes to approve. Certified Teachers will also contribute $33/month each towards health insurance.
Bear made a motion to approve $37,440.25 for the purchase of 100 Chromebooks and 55 tablets, cases, and licenses. Dachenbach seconded followed by all aye votes. PPEL funds will be used to purchase the technology.
An agreement with SWCC to provide college courses to students was approved with a motion by Smiarowski, a second from Bear followed by all aye votes.
An agreement with ISU for the Educator Preparation Program was approved with a motion by Smiarowski, a second by Bear followed by all aye votes.
Registration fees were approved as follows:
Motion by Bear, second by Dachenbach followed by all aye votes – Book fees $45 and the tech fee will be dropped and all amounts paid to date will be refunded by the end of the first semester.
Motion by Bear, second by Dachenbach followed by all aye votes – non-certified hourly sub rates will be the same as the beginning hourly rate for employees.
Motion by Smiarowski, second by Bear followed by all aye votes – Activity fees will remain the same.
Motion by Cromer, second by Smiarowski followed by all aye votes – to leave certified sub rates at $115 per day.
Smiarowski made a motion to approve June Davis purchasing her assigned laptop for $100 upon her retirement from the District. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes from those present.
Next up were Propane bids. Agriland Farm Service submitted a bid of $.825 per gallon and United Farmers Coop submitted a bid of $.84 per gallon. Smiarowski motioned to accept the low bid from Agriland FS of $.825. Dachenbach seconded followed by aye votes from Evans, Bear, Smiarowski and Dachenbach. Cromer abstained. The Board would like to thank both bidders for their support of the District.
Next up, the Board was to review Board Policy 403.1. The policy discusses employee physicals. Drivers are required to pass DOT physicals to keep their driver’s authorization current. Smiarowski motioned to change the wording to allow Director Indorf to circumvent the current policy and allow drivers be sent to the most economical medical facility for their physicals. Dachenbach seconded followed by aye votes from Evans, Smiarowski, Dachenbach and Cromer. Bear abstained.
A 60/40 shared position for Human Resources with Wayne CSD was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Dachenbach. Aye votes were heard from Smiarowski, Evans, Cromer and Dachenbach. Bear abstained. Motion passes. Wayne CSD will hold the contract.
With a motion by Dachenbach and a second by Cromer MDL Insurance Services/Corydon were approved to provide liability and other insurance to the District. The second was followed by all aye votes to approve.
Smiarowski motioned to continue Jester breakdown insurance. Bear seconded followed by all aye votes to approve. Parmer, Utzke and Rash will meet with the Jester representative.
With a motion by Dachenbach and a second by Cromer MTCSD Leadership Committee’s preliminary Return to Learn Plan was approved for release to the public. All present voted aye in favor to approve.
With a motion by Bear and a second from Cromer the Board agreed to pay the golf coaches, Cale Moore and Cassie Moore one payment of their spring golf contract. Cromer, Smiarowski, Bear, and Evans voted aye to approve. Dachenbach abstained. The spring golf season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Motion by Cromer and second by Dachenbach to approve the Bills and Financials. Motion is approved with all present voting aye.
Cromer motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Dachenbach seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment. Evans closed the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held July 8, 2020 @ 6:30 pm in the District Office in Garden Grove.
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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