May 14, 2018 Minutes

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing

2018-19 School Calendar

May 14, 2018

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7:04 pm for public comment on the proposed 2018-19 Calendar.  Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Director Cromer was not present. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era joined the hearing at 7:10 p.m. There were no public comments on the proposed calendar. Peasley made a motion to adjourn with Evans seconding. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski answered with all ayes. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:15 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

May 14, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Director Cromer was not present. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests signing in were Chris Hilton, Steph Vititoe, Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, and Mona Baker. Kara Hilton entered the meeting at 7:25 p.m..

First, President Smiarowski asks for agenda approval. Evans motions to approve the agenda asking to move discussion of TLC to first up under the consent agenda. Peasley seconded. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski vote aye. Cromer is absent.

The consent agenda which included the previous meetings minutes and open enrollment requests that met requirements, was approved with a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley. All present vote aye to approve the motion. There were four open enrollments into the District and two out of the District reported.

Teachers Claudia Brown, Mona Baker and Kim Hayes discussed TLC (Teacher Leadership and Compensation System). The program is in its second year at Mormon Trail. The TLC program will be looking at making some changes for the coming year.

At 7:50 p.m. Evans made a motion to take a short break. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer is absent. In honor of School Board Recognition month the Board and guests were treated to pizza. At 8:00 p.m. Funk motioned to reopen the meeting. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes from those present.

First up under Action items, Evans made the motion to hire Robert Thatcher as Activity/Athletic Director for 2018-19 beginning July 1 at a salary of $4950 for the year. The position of High School Secretary was tabled until a later date. Funk seconded followed by all ayes from those present.

The resignation of Kristin Benton, High School Secretary was accepted with a motion by Funk, a second by Peasley and votes of aye by Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer is absent.

The 2018-19 school calendar was approved with one correction. December 20, 2018 will be the last day of the first semester. The motion to approve made by Evans, seconded by Peasley was followed by votes of all aye from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer is not present.

Peasley made the motion to table the Green Hills AEA Technology Agreement pending cost and to consult with the District’ audit firm to see if some or all of the services could be paid with PPEL funds. The motion was seconded by Evans and all present voted aye to table until a later date.

Mowing the grounds in Humeston and Garden Grove was next up for discussion. Evans made a motion to accept the bid from Ozzie Smith @ $150 per mowing in Garden Grove. Funk seconded followed by all ayes. There were two other bids submitted for Garden Grove. The Board did not receive any applications for the Humeston grounds. Funk motioned to advertise the job again. Either bids using the owners equipment and gas or applications using the school’s equipment and gas will be considered. Applicants and bidders must be 16 and over. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes.

A request for the District to pay for a teacher’s 2^nd tuition payment to cover costs to acquire further certification in their current job position was tabled with a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley. All Board members present answered with a vote of aye.

Kara Hilton was approved to teach High School summer school classes in June. Hilton will receive $20 per hour for her salary. Evans made the motion, Funk seconded followed by votes of aye from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer was absent.

With a motion by Evans the bid from MTYA for $5 ea was accepted for the 26 used football field lights. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes.

Evans motioned to close negotiations for 2018-19 bargaining. The Master contract was ratified and approved by the Board and will go to the members of the Mormon Trail Education Association for their approval before coming back to the Board for final approval if necessary. Funk seconded. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski voted in favor of the motion. Cromer was absent.

Peasley motioned for the negotiations team to continue their progress on the Teacher handbook with the Mormon Trail Education Association. Pat seconded followed by all ayes from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer was absent.

Funk motioned to table further discussion on the use of the Flex fund. Peasley seconded. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski voted in favor of the motion. Cromer was absent.

Twelve seniors from the class of 2018 were approved for graduation. Motion to approve was made by Evans and seconded by Peasley. All members present voted aye.

A Building and Grounds committee was approved with Resolution 2018-3

“Be it resolved, that the Board of Directors of the Mormon Trail Community School District, wishes to form a committee composed of employees, citizens and students to assist the board with developing and improving the grounds and facilities of the Mormon Trail Community School District. The committee will assist the Board in implementing a five-year plan for grounds and facility improvements.  The following members (see attached list) signed up to be on this committee and were approved by the Board of Directors on May 14, 2018.  Anyone else who wishes to serve on this Board should contact a Board member for consideration.” The resolution was read and the motion made by Peasley to adopt Resolution 2018-3. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer was absent.

Mormon Trail CSD Board Policy No. 208 provides for the local school to involve the local community in decision-making processes as appropriate.  Whenever the board deems it necessary, the board may appoint a committee composed of citizens, employees or students to assist the board.  Committees formed by the board are ad hoc committees. The committee is advisory in nature and has no duty or responsibility other than that specifically stated in the board resolution.  The committee will automatically dissolve upon the delivery of its final recommendation to the board or upon completion of the duties outlined in the board resolution. The committee may be subject to the open meetings law. The method for selection of committee members will be stated in the board resolution.

The following community members were appointed to the Building and Grounds committee:

Last under action items, Funk made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips briefly updated the Board on graduation, final testing, buses, and community evaluation results to name a few. Secretary Rash also gave a short presentation on a couple of reports she had put together using the 5cast plus software. Rash also made the Board aware of recognition received by the IASB Safety Group for the District’s Experience Mod in the area of workers’ compensation. The District’s rating for Policy Year 2018 is 0.820 which puts the District in the top 50% of all public and private schools, area education agencies and community colleges in the State of Iowa.

Peasley motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Funk seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held June 11, 2018 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              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