MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
October 12, 2015
Board Minutes
President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:38 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Board members Funk, Evans, Peasley and Lundahl were present. Also in attendance were Superintendent, Lorna Paxson, Principals Mike Snyder and Steve Hunt and Board Secretary, Peggy Rash. Jason Selby from the Humeston New Era was also present. Lundahl made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of previous meeting minutes, open enrollment in/out that meet requirements, and winter sport contracts. Peasley seconded the motion to approve with all present voting aye. Contracts for Basketball were approved for: Buck Parmer, HS Varsity girls with Ashly Parmer Assistant HS and JH girls’ basketball Aaron Parmer will coach HS Varsity boys with Joseph Parmer serving as Assistant HS and JH boys. After a brief discussion of the expenditures presented for payment, Lundahl made a motion to approve the month’s bills for payment. The motion was seconded by Funk with all voting aye. Items 2,3 & 5 on the agenda were tabled for October. Superintendent Paxson presented the Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant application for board approval. Lundahl made a motion to approve with Peasley seconding. All present voted in favor of the motion. If approved by the state the grant will be effective in FY2016-17. Lundahl made a motion to apply to the SBRC for Modified Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid. The District’s Special Education Program had a $23,993.03 deficit for the year ending 6/30/2015. Peasley seconded the motion with all voting aye. The Bus Lease and Service Management Agreement with Durham School Services were put on hold again until Durham installs cameras on all buses as stated in the agreement. Lundahl made a motion not to sign the contract until the issue has been resolved. Peasley seconded with all present voting aye. The District’s agreement with Durham to provide transportation services for daily routes and activities expired July 31, 2015. The item will be put back on the agenda in November. Next on the Agenda was discussion of a shared Curriculum position with Diagonal CSD. The Board voted unanimously to enter into an agreement with Lorna Paxson serving in the .2 position for the 2015-16 School year. Lundahl made the motion with Peasley seconding. Superintendent Paxson went over some changes that will need to be made to the School Calendar. Due to an error in calculating student hours the current calendar will need to be amended to adjust for student early out days. Student contact hours must equal 1080 or more. These changes will result in any additional missed days or early dismissals needing to be made up at the end of the school year or during breaks already scheduled during the year. With no action required, roof leaks were next up for discussion. Both the Garden Grove and Humeston buildings have been leaking in various places. Some general caulking has been done and it was suggested that an old air conditioner on the Humeston building might need removed. The leaking areas at both buildings will need to be watched carefully over the next few months to help avoid costly repairs. Lundahl made a motion to have her removed from and to add Marc Smiarowski to all Financial Institutions effective 10/21/2015. Evans seconded with all voting aye. Administrative reports were given by Superintendent, Paxson and Principals Steve Hunt and Mike Snyder. Secondary Principal, Hunt reported that the High School students enjoyed homecoming activities. The bonfire and old timers’ football game Thursday evening was well attended. The students also had fun t-peeing around Humeston on Thursday evening. The victory over Lamoni was followed up with good attendance at the dance. The best in recent years, with some students dressing up and all seeming to be having a really good time. Ag students recently attended District soil judging at Knoxville and came home with a bronze medal for their efforts. FFA has started selling fruit and cheese. FCCLA is selling mugs. Hunt wants to remind everyone that they can keep up on what’s happening at the school by visiting the District website. The website can be found @ www.mormontrailcsd.org Elementary Principal and Athletic Director Mike Snyder reported that the school year is progressing very well as we approach the end of the first quarter, October 29th. The elementary is planning a field trip to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines Friday, Oct 16. Snyder also would like to congratulate the HS girl’s volleyball teams on a great year so far. Coaches are Josh Stiles and Amy Horton. Horton also coaches JH volleyball. The HS Varsity Saints football team, while small in numbers, is having a great year as well. Could a playoff game be in the Saints future!?! Coach is Travis Johnson with Sam Moore Assisting. Volunteers, Joseph Parmer and Marc Smiarowski also help with the team. Bill Hoover is JH coach. Superintendent, Lorna Paxson, reports that she is settling into her dual roles at Mormon Trail and Diagonal CSD. Paxson finished the open session portion of the meeting by telling the Board she is planning safety training at both Humeston and Garden Grove this school year. The Board was in agreement that the safety of students is a priority and everyone, including staff and students should be prepared in the event that either location has an incident that puts our student’s safety at risk. At 8:45 pm Lundahl moved that the Board enter into closed session as provided in 21.5 (1) (i) of the open meetings law to discuss the purchase of real estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the school district would have to pay for that property. Peasley seconded the motion with all voting in favor. The Board re-entered open session at 9:30 pm. Funk moved that the Board make an offer for a portion of the land south of the Humeston School. Lundahl seconded the motion. The vote was Peasley aye Lundahl aye Evans aye Funk aye Smiarowski aye. Lundahl motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Peasley seconded with all voting aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held November 9th @ 7:30 p.m. in the Elementary Library.
____________________________ ___________________________
President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education
_________
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