MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING-ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
September 17, 2013
Minutes
President Lundahl called the regular meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. in the elementary library. Board members present were Evans, Horton, Lundahl and Peasley. Funk was absent. Superintendent Miller, Principals Hunt and Snyder, Lovett, Willa Clark, Lori Lockwood and board member elect Marc Smiarowski were also present.
Evans moved to approve the agenda. Horton made the second. All voted aye.
The June 30th depository report was reviewed. Evans moved to approve the report. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Superintendent Miller presented Amy Horton a plaque and expressed the District’s thanks for her service on the Board of Education.
Horton moved to adjourn the meeting. Evans provided the second. All voted aye.
Secretary Lovett called the organizational portion of the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.
Lovett administered the oath of office to Jan Lundahl and Marc Smiarowski. They will both serve a four year term on the Board.
Evans nominated Jan Lundahl as President. Peasley made the second. Evans moved nominations cease. Peasley made the second. All voted aye to elect Lundahl as President.
Lundahl nominated Pat Evans to serve as Vice-President. Peasley made the second. Lundahl moved to cease nominations. All voted aye to elect Evans as Vice-President.
President Lundahl asked for nominations for Secretary-Treasurer. Evans nominated Lovett. Peasley made the second. All voted aye. Lundahl administered the oath of office to Lovett.
Evans moved to approve the consent agenda that included the minutes and open enrollment requests that meet all requirements. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Following review of the bills of accounting Evans moved to approve the bills for payment. The second was made by Peasley. All voted aye.
Evans moved to approve the following resolution.
The Mormon Trail Community School Board of Education designates the following named banks to be depositories of the Mormon Trail Community School District funds in the amounts not to exceed the amounts stated below.
Great Western Bank Humeston, IA $2,000,000
ISJIT Des Moines, IA $2,000,000
Smiarowski made the second. All voted aye.
Evans moved to approve the Humeston New Era for District publications. The second was made by Peasley. All voted aye.
Peasley moved to appoint Verle Norris, Humeston and Ahlers Law Firm, Des Moines to serve as the district’s attorneys. Evans made the second. All voted aye.
Superintendent Miller asked the board for approval to purchase 110 Chrome Books for a one-to-one initiative at the Junior/Senior High. The cost will be $249 per device plus a $30 management fee. Miller advised the board there would be some additional costs for switches. Evans moved to approve the purchase. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
Superintendent Miller requested approval to advertise for an associate for pre-school. The numbers in the pre-school have increased creating the need for an associate. Peasley moved to approve the request to advertise. Evans made the second. All voted aye.
Evans moved to approve the request for modified allowable growth/supplemental aid for the district’s special education deficit. The amount of the request is $6,500.73. The second was made by Smiarowski. All voted aye.
Superintendent Miller recommended the following changes to the school calendar to allow students to make-up class time missed because of the heat. The following would be full student days September 27, November 22, and March 7. Smiarowski moved to approve the modifications as recommended. Evans made the second. All voted aye.
Principal Snyder reviewed his written report, highlighting that fall testing is finishing up. Mr. Snyder also provided an updated athletic schedule for board members.
Principal Hunt also reviewed his written report highlighting the following:
- Map testing has been completed at the secondary building with data ready for review.
- Collaboration on the early out days for heat centered on Google training and blended learning.
- The first professional day was spent on Curriculum Manager, test results and setting building goals.
- The environmental class has done testing at the creek.
- Fall pictures were taken on September 12th.
- Student council is working on building pride.
- Mr. Hunt attended the conference principals meeting and is looking forward to collaboration opportunities with the group.
Superintendent Miller reported the following:
- Collaboration is an important tool for staff to improve student learning.
- He along with other staff members met with Del Hoover at the Department of Education to discuss the upcoming equity visit.
- A meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, 2013 regarding the upcoming site visit.
- Mr. Miller thanked the City of Humeston for painting the crosswalks. There are to be amber flashing lights installed that will reduce the speed limit to 25 mph during student arrival and departure times. In addition, a mobile speed monitoring sign will be utilized.
- Mr. Miller gave the board materials regarding Superintendent Evaluation procedures for them to review.
- Mr. Miller believes this to be the smoothest start to the school year he has had in the three years he has been here.
Evans asked about changing the next regular meeting of the board due to scheduled activities. Superintendent Miller will review the calendar and set the next meeting date.
Smiarowski moved to adjourn the meeting. Peasley made the second. All voted aye.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.