MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
October 10, 2016
President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:34 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Funk, Evans, Lundahl, Peasley and Smiarowski. Superintendent Lorna Paxson, Principals Hunt and Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Guests were Steven Neilssen and Linda Horton reporter from the Humeston New Era. Band and Choir instructor, Steven Neilssen took the floor to ask the Board to approve a fundraiser to help with costs for the High School Choir to attend Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO next spring. The group would perform and receive one-on-one instruction at the event. Neilssen thought it would be a great experience for the second semester Choir students. The group wants to sell candles as a fundraiser and would receive 40% of the profits. The option to purchase candles online would also be available. Peasley made a motion to approve the agenda. Lundahl seconded the motion to approve with all present voting ayes. Motion carried. Funk moved to approve the consent agenda after some discussion to amend the original agenda and move the Open Enrollment out request to action items. Previous meeting minutes, open enrollment into the District that meet requirements and the resignation of Ashly Parmer as Junior High girl’s basketball coach were all approved. Peasley seconded with all voting aye. For clarification, at the request of Superintendent Paxson, Funk motioned to amend the July minutes to correct the language used in item #7, student fees. The words technology fee should be replaced with the words technology deposit. Peasley seconded and all present voted aye to the change. It was the intent of the Board in July to charge the following for the 2016-17 school year:
Elementary Book rent $35
Elementary Reduced Book rent $25
Secondary Technology [fee] deposit $50
Driver’s Education $250 in district, $165 reduced in district, $300 out of district
The term fee, as defined by the Department of Education is non-refundable. The Board wants to charge a technology deposit which is refundable. To further clarify, when a student graduates or leaves the District and provided the technology is returned with no damage, the $50 deposit will be refunded. Any damages not considered normal use will be deducted from the deposit and the balance after repairs will be refunded. The deposits are kept in a reserve account in the District’s General Fund. If the deposit is not paid the student will not be allowed to take their computers home. Junior High and Elementary students are not allowed to take technology home with them and do not pay the deposit. An late filed Open Enrollment out request was denied. Funk made the motion seconded by Peasley. All voted aye. After reviewing the month’s financial reports, Lundahl made a motion to approve. Funk seconded with all present voting aye. Following a brief discussion, Lundahl motioned to approve the October bills for payment. Peasley seconded with all present voting aye. Evans made a motion to approve the fund raiser requested by Choir instructor Steven Neilssen to help raise funds so that the group could attend an event at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO this coming April. Lundahl seconded. All voted aye. Lundahl made a motion to approve a new Wellness Policy for the District. Funk seconded. The motion passed with all voting aye. The Policy includes revised guidelines with one of the more popular being that snacks brought to school can now be homemade. There is no longer a restriction requiring that only pre-packaged foods can be brought for sharing. Superintendent Paxson and Sandy Moore, Food Services Director had recently met with the newly formed Wellness Committee and recommended this revised policy. Peasley made a motion to approve Joseph Parmer as the Junior High Girls basketball coach for the 2016-17 season. Evans seconded with Lundahl, Evans, Peasley and Smiarowski voting aye. Funk abstained. Motion passes. Lundahl made a motion to approve Teri Indorf as High School Freshman class sponsor. Evans seconded with all voting aye. Malorie Irving was approved as a1:1 Para-educator sub, moving to full time when a position becomes available. Lundahl made the motion to approve with Peasley seconding. All present voted aye. Joseph Parmer was approved as Weight Lifting supervisor. Motion by Evans, second by Peasley. All voted aye. Parmer will supervise any JH or High School student who wishes to participate Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, 7-8 am before school. Parmer has volunteered at no cost to the District. Administrative reports were given by Principals Becky Stripe and Steve Hunt and by Superintendent Lorna Paxson. Stripe reported that there were many good and positive things going on at the Elementary and welcomes you to contact her and visit the school. Principal Hunt reported that he felt things were going well at the Junior High and High School as well. Superintendent Paxson’s report to the Board included the topics of IASB annual convention delegate, continued progress on the lighting project for the outdoor sports facilities at Humeston and the state fire inspection report which requires the completion of mandatory compliance issues that were not completed correctly when a construction project connecting the main school to the Voc Ag/Industrial Arts building was completed. The District has 90 days to meet compliance. Paxson also discussed the need to look into purchasing a handicapped van in the near future. The Department of Ed will be in the District October 20 for vehicle inspections. Peasley motioned that the Board take a short break. Evans seconded. Motion carries with all ayes. Stripe, Hunt and Horton left the meeting. The Board returned to open session at 9:20 pm. At the request of Superintendent Paxson, the Board voted to go into closed session as provided by 21.5(1)(i) of the open meetings law for the purpose of reviewing the Superintendent’s performance and goals. Motion by Lundahl with the second by Evans. Funk, Peasley, Evans, Lundahl and Smiarowski all answered aye. The Board returned to open session at 9:55 pm. Lundahl motioned, Funk seconded to accept the following goals for Paxson in 2016-17. All present voted aye.
- “Regular communication & make sure it is clear & understood by all.
- Develop a line item budget & monitor expenses on the budget closely. Ultimate goal is to keep our unspent authorized balance at an amount which will maintain District health.
- Develop & administer a needs assessment to help with school improvement planning.
- Provide leadership to support development of strong professional growth for teachers, administrators, & staff to develop their leadership through my work as Curriculum Director/Superintendent.”
Funk motioned the meeting be adjourned. Peasley seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 10:05 pm. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held November 14th 2016 @ 7:30 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