MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
March 10, 2014
Minutes
Vice President Pat Evans called the regular meeting of the board of education to order at 7:04 p.m. in the elementary library. Evans, Funk, Peasley and Smiarwoski answered roll call. Lundahl was absent. Also present were Superintendent Miller, Principals Hunt and Snyder, Lovett, Peggy Rash, Willa Clark, Stehpanie Gehlhaar and Lori Lockwood.
Evans recognized Stephanie Gehlhaar and turned the floor over to her to address the board. Ms. Gehlhaar was present to discuss concerns regarding the handling of two incidents with her daughter. Evans thanked her for her comments and suggestions.
Evans proposed deleting agenda item D.2 Closed Session. Smiarowski moved to approve the agenda as amended along with minutes of the previous meeting, open enrollment in requests and the hire of the additional pre-school teacher. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
The board reviewed the changes to policies 905.1 through 905.1E2. Smiarwoski moved to approve the final reading of policies 905.1 through 905.1E2. Funk made the second. All voted aye.
The administration recommended terminating the contract with George Belken as JH Math teacher. Mr. Belken has been employed under a sharing agreement with Clarke. Clarke has notified us they will not renew that agreement. The sharing contract with Clarke for the Spanish teacher has also been terminated. Funk moved to approve the termination. Smiarwoski made the second. All voted aye.
Superintendent Miller presented the following projects for board approval.
Horton Floor – Carpet for JR.SR. High Office/Elementary Office Bid $ 6,527.20
Daktronics – Baseball/Softball Score Board Bid $ 5,451.00
ABC Sign – Installation of BB/SB Score Board Bid $ 2,880.00
Acoustical Stretched Fabric System – Sound Panels for GG Gym Bid $16,184.00
BSN Sports – Baseball/Softball Batting Cage Bid $ 5,500.00
Funk moved to approve the projects as presented. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Miller advised the board he is looking at different options to improve the playground. He will have a recommendation at a later time.
Administrators recommended making up the snow days by having school on March 26, which is on the calendar as a make-up day, and adding the other three days at the end of the calendar. The last day of school will now be May 23rd. Smiarwoski move to approve the make-up days as recommended. Second by Peasley. All voted aye.
Superintendent Miller discussed the option of offering early retirement to certified staff. An eligible employee would have to be at least 55 years of age, served 10 years in the district and be a full time employee. Funk moved to pass Resolution No. 2014 establishing a voluntary Early Retirement Plan. Smiarwoski made the second. All voted aye.
Following a review and discussion of the FY 15 budget, Smiarwoski moved to approve the proposed budget for publication. Funk made the second. All voted aye.
Peasley moved to set the public hearing for the FY 15 Budget for April 14, 2014 at 8:00 pm in the elementary library.
Discussion was held on the FY 14 budget. If the current budget is not amended the District will exceed the budget for student support services. Funk moved to approve amending the FY 14 budget in the area of student support services from $945,000 to $985,000 and set the public hearing for April 14, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. in the elementary library. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Athletic Director Mike Snyder asked the board to approve the following coaching assignments.
- Boys and Girls Varsity Track Robert Thatcher
- Boys and Girls JH Track Mike Snyder
- Boys and Girls Varsity Golf Steve Hunt
- Varsity Baseball Coach Brad Krutsinger
- Varsity Softball Coach Josh Stiles
- Volunteer Assistant SB Amy Horton
Smiarwoski moved to approve the coaching assignments as requested. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Smiarwoski moved to set April 14, 2014 at 8:10 p.m. for the public hearing on the District’s internet policies that follow the Internet Child Protection Act. The hearing will be held in the elementary library. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Sealed bids were reviewed for the sale of the 1999 Chevy Van. Two bids were received. Smiarwoski moved to accept the high bid of $200 submitted by Joel Petty. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Mike Snyder reported that the elementary teachers are preparing for parent – teacher conferences scheduled for March 20th and 21st. He did a brief wrap-up of basketball season. Katelyn Dent was named Honorable Mention All-Conference with Kelton Stansbery named First Team All-Conference and Jakob Horton Honorable Mention All-Conference. Snyder also handed out the spring sports schedule and the District Football Schedule for 14-15 and 15-16.
Principal Hunt reported the following.
- Iowa Assessment Testing has been completed
- The end of the 3rd quarter will be Friday, April 14th
- Two girls have qualified for State Speech Contest this weekend in Glenwood, IA.
- High School girls and boys basketball teams attended the Boys State Tournament on Monday to watch Lamoni play.
- Mr. Warner is scheduled to install the wireless internet equipment at the high school on Friday.
- Students are using chrome books in Mrs. Porterfield and Mr. Krustinsinger’s rooms.
- The booster club has purchased a weight machine for the weight room at the high school.
Superintendent Miller gave the board members questions to review for the upcoming site visit.
Funk Moved to enter closed session as provided in 21.5(1)(i) of the open meeting law
to discuss the purchase of particular real estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the school district would have to pay for that property. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Funk, Clark, Gehlhaar, Lockwood, Snyder and Hunt left the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
The board entered closed session at 8:35 p.m.
The board entered open session at 9:09. No action was taken.
Funk moved to adjourn the meeting. Smiarwoski made the second. All voted aye.
The next regular meeting will be April 14, 2014 in the elementary library at 8:15 p.m.
Vice-President Evans adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.