Mormon Trail

Mormon Trail Community School District

Special Meeting & Closed Session

June 3, 2019

The Mormon Trail School Board met in special session June 3, 2019 in the Humeston Elementary Library. 

President Smiarowski called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Peasley, Funk, and Smiarowski were present. Evans was present via phone. Cromer was absent. Superintendent Phillips and Secretary Rash were also in attendance.

Peasley made a motion to approve the agenda with Funk seconding. All present voted aye to approve. Cromer was absent.

Motion to move into closed session as allowed by Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (j) was made by Evans and seconded by Peasley. The following roll call vote was taken. Peasley aye; Funk aye; Evans aye; and Smiarowski aye. Cromer was absent. The Board entered closed session at 5:35 pm.

The Board returned to open session at 6:41 pm.

Peasley made a motion to have Mr. Phillips pursue the items discussed in closed session. Funk seconded. The following roll call vote was taken. Peasley aye; Funk aye; Evans aye; and Smiarowski aye. Cromer was absent.

Funk made the motion to adjourn followed by a second from Peasley. Funk, Evans, Peasley and Smiarowski voted aye to approve. Cromer was absent.

President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 6:42 pm.

____________________________ ___________________________

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education

_________ 

These minutes are written as recorded by the Board Secretary and are subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

EXEMPT SESSION

May 13, 2019

The Mormon Trail School Board met in exempt session Monday, May 13^th at 7:00 pm in the Humeston Elementary Library.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

May 13, 2019    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:14 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. 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 Autumn Fraker, Melissa Kauffman, Jester Ins., Claudia Brown, Chris Hilton, Kimberly Hayes, and Kara Hilton.

Melissa Kauffman, Jester Ins spoke to the Board during the Public Forum about a type of Breakdown Insurance the District is considering. Some highlights of the program include the following.

1. The premium is paid from the Management Fund
2. Jester Ins will reimburse for the repairs which saves the District paying from the General Fund
3. Will pay a vendor of the District’s choice or reimburse the District up to $50/hr
4. No deductible
5. Premium is quoted for 1 year but the policy can be cancelled at any time with a 30-day notice.
6. Generally, the insurance is good for repairs for most anything that plugs into electricity
7. Currently 144 Districts use this Insurance

Autumn Fraker also spoke to the Board about a late open enrollment request she has filed. 

The agenda was approved with Funk making the motion to approve. Cromer seconded. Motion passes with all present voting aye.

Cromer made a motion to approve the previous meeting minute’s portion of the consent agenda. Evans seconded followed by all ayes. One open enrollment request into the District meeting all requirements was approved and two open enrollment requests out of the District which did not meet requirements were denied with a motion by Evans and a second by Funk. All present voted aye to approve the motion. 

Cromer motioned to purchase the Equipment Maintenance Insurance from Jester Insurance for 1 year effective July 1, 2019 for a premium of $19,982. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes.

Evans moved to accept the resignation of Kathy Showers, para. The motion was seconded by Cromer. All present voted aye. The Board wants to thank Kathy for her 27 years of service to the District.

The following positions were approved:

High School English: motion by Funk, second by Cromer to hire Kara Hilton. All present voted aye.

JH baseball and JH softball: motion by Evans, second by Peasley to hire Cale Moore for baseball and Cassie Moore for softball. The motion passes with all ayes to approve. In April, the Board approved adding Junior High softball and baseball to the Schedule B pay schedule. Coaches will receive $1450 each per season.  Offering contracts had been tabled for Junior High softball and baseball to meet posting requirements.

Katie Dyer was hired as cook for the Elementary with a motion by Evans, a second by Cromer, followed by all ayes from those present.

Evans made a motion to enter a sharing agreement with Seymour CSD for technology and to continue the sharing agreement with Green Hills AEA for technology for 2019-20. Funk seconded followed by all ayes,

Cromer made a motion to approve the list of graduating seniors from the Mormon Trail class of 2019. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes.

Evans motioned to approve a 3% pay increase for all non-certified employees, including hourly employees and bus drivers. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes to approve.

Additional mowing needs for summer 2019 were next up for discussion. Evans motioned to pay the coaches $75 per mowing for the ball fields and parking area west of the football field. M3 Lawn Care will continue to mow the main school grounds and north of the football fence to the west driveway. Cromer seconded followed by all ayes to approve the motion.

Funk made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe gave a brief report to the Board. Stripe reported summer school will be held June 3 rd through July 12 th from 8:30-11:30.The schools nutrition program will also be serving free breakfast and lunch during those days for anyone 18 and under. Claudia Brown and Gloria Rumley will be teaching. Kara Hilton will be teaching high school summer school to help those needing to make up core classes and for credit recovery.

Superintendent Phillips recognized the Board members as May is Board Appreciation month. Phillips also noted he had signed a deal with Coke to supply the Districts vending supplies. Coke will also provide funding for supplies.

Cromer motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Funk seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:03 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held June 10, 2019 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

_________  _________ 

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

Mormon Trail Community School District

Special Meeting

April 18, 2019

The Mormon Trail School Board along with the Community Building and Grounds committee met in a special meeting April 18, 2019 in the Humeston Elementary Commons. 

President Smiarowski called the meeting to order at 6:43 p.m. Peasley, Funk, Evans and Smiarowski were present. Superintendent Phillips, Principal Stripe and Secretary Rash were also in attendance. Cromer was absent. There were 37 guests signing in to listen to Matthew Gillaspie from Piper Jaffray speak to the group about “Bonding and Levies for Building Projects.” There was a free will offering dinner served by the Mormon Trail Swimming Pool at 6 p.m.

Matthew Gillaspie presented information about how tax levies are calculated. In prior meetings of the Building and Grounds Committee the consensus was reached that the committee felt the District should pursue building a new addition to the already existing K-6 building that would house K-12. Nothing is set in concrete as of right now but future meetings will start to pull the plan together.

The group disbanded at 7:50 p.m.

____________________________ ___________________________

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education

_________ 

These minutes are written as recorded by the Board Secretary and are subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

Mormon Trail Community School District

Special Meeting and Closed Session

April 18, 2019

The Mormon Trail School Board met in special session April 18, 2019 in the Humeston Elementary Library. 

President Smiarowski called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. Peasley, Funk, Evans and Smiarowski were present. Cromer was absent. Superintendent Phillips, Principal Stripe and Secretary Rash were also in attendance.

Evans made a motion to approve the agenda with Peasley seconding. All voted aye to approve.

Motion to move into closed session as allowed by Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (j) was made by Evans and seconded by Funk. The following roll call vote was taken. Peasley aye; Funk aye; Evans aye; and Smiarowski aye. Cromer was absent. The Board entered closed session at 8:12 pm.

The Board returned to open session at 8:55 pm.

Evans made a motion to have Mr. Phillips pursue the items discussed in closed session. Funk seconded. The following roll call vote was taken. Peasley aye; Funk aye; Evans aye; and Smiarowski aye. Cromer was absent.

Director Peasley read the “resolution ordering election on the question of continuing to levy a voter approved physical plant and equipment property tax. Motion to adopt the resolution was made by Peasley and seconded by Funk. Funk, Evans, Peasley and Smiarowski voted aye to approve. Cromer was absent. Secretary Rash will file the resolution with the Wayne County Commissioner of Elections by May 10^th.

The President declared the Resolution adopted as follows:

RESOLUTION ORDERING ELECTION ON THE QUESTION OF CONTINUING TO LEVY A VOTER APPROVED PHYSICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT PROPERTY TAX

WHEREAS, this Board has determined that an election should be called on the question of continuing to levy a voter approved physical plant and equipment property tax.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, in the COUNTIES OF WAYNE, CLARKE, DECATUR AND LUCAS, STATE OF IOWA:

1. 1.That an election is called of the qualified electors of the Mormon Trail Community School District, in the Counties of Wayne, Clarke, Decatur and Lucas, State of Iowa, on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.  The following Proposition is approved, and the Secretary is authorized and directed to submit and file the Proposition for the Ballot with the Wayne County Commissioner of Elections at least 46 days prior to the election.

SHALL THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC MEASURE BE ADOPTED?

PROPOSITION A

Shall the Board of Directors of the Mormon Trail Community School District, in the Counties of Wayne, Clarke, Decatur and Lucas, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings; purchasing of buildings; purchase, lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling, reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses; expenditures for energy conservation; renting facilities under Chapter 28E; purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, to levy annually, a voter-approved physical plant and equipment property tax not to exceed One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34) per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, or each year thereafter?

1. 2.That the notice of the election and ballot form used at the election shall be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Rules.  The polls will be open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
2. 3.Wayne County, Iowa is the control county of this School District; this election will be conducted by the County Auditor as Commissioner of Elections.
3. 4.That the Election Board for the voting precinct or precincts be appointed by the County Commissioner of Elections, not less than 15 days before the date of the election, a certified copy of which appointment must be officially placed on file in the office of the Secretary.
4. 5.The Commissioner of Elections is requested and directed to make publication of the Notice of Election at least once, not less than four days nor more than twenty days prior to the date of the election, in a legal newspaper, printed wholly in the English language, as defined by Iowa Code Section 618.3.
5. 6.The Humeston New Era, a legal newspaper, has substantial circulation within the District and is hereby designated to make the publication of the Notice of Election.
6. 7.That the County Commissioner of Elections shall prepare all ballots and election registers and other supplies as necessary for the proper and legal conduct of this election and the Secretary of the Board is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Commissioner of Elections in the preparation of the necessary proceedings.
7. 8.That the Secretary is directed to file a certified copy of this Resolution in the Office of the County Commissioner of Elections to constitute the “written notice” to the County Commissioner of Elections of the election date, required to be given by the governing body under the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 47.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 18th day of April, 2019.

The District’s current voted PPEL will expire at the end of fiscal year 2020. The vote is planned for June 25, 2019.

Funk made the motion to adjourn followed by a second from Peasley. Funk, Evans, Peasley and Smiarowski voted aye to approve. Cromer was absent.

President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:18 pm.

____________________________ ___________________________

President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education

_________ 

These minutes are written as recorded by the Board Secretary and are subject to approval at the next regular board meeting.   Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing

April 8, 2019

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7 pm for public comment on the proposed 2019-20 Budget.  Answering roll call were board members Cromer, Funk, Peasley and Smiarowski. Evans entered the hearing at 7:05. 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. Visitors signing in were Kara Hilton, Kimberly, Claudia Brown, Pam Woollis and Stephanie Bear. There were no public comments on the proposed budget. Peasley made a motion to adjourn with Cromer seconding. All present voted aye. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:15 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing

April 8, 2019

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7:15 pm for public comment on the proposed 2018-19 Budget Amendment.  Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Cromer, Funk and Smiarowski. 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. Visitors signing in were Kara Hilton, Kimberly, Claudia Brown, Pam Woollis and Stephanie Bear. There were no public comments on the proposed budget amendment. Cromer made a motion to adjourn with Evans seconding. All present voted aye. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:25 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Public Hearing

April 8, 2019

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7:25 pm for public comment on the proposed 2019-20 School Calendar.  Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Cromer, Funk and Smiarowski. 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. Visitors signing in were Kara Hilton, Kimberly, Claudia Brown, Pam Woollis and Stephanie Bear. There were no public comments on the proposed calendar. Peasley made a motion to adjourn with Cromer seconding. All present voted aye. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:30 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

April 8, 2019    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. 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 Kara Hilton, Kimberly, Claudia Brown, Pam Woollis and Stephanie Bear.

The agenda was approved with the addition of adding action items for the Public Hearings held for the 2019-20 Proposed Budget, the 2018-19 Proposed Budget Amendment and the Proposed 2019-20 Calendar. Required deadlines for filing the 2019-20 proposed Budget and 2018-19 proposed Budget Amendment do not allow this action to be delayed. Funk made the motion to approve with the additional action items. Evans seconded. Motion passes with all present voting aye.

Peasley made a motion to approve the consent agenda which included approval of the previous meeting minutes and one open enrollment out of the District. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes to approve.

Evans made a motion to approve the Proposed 2019-20 Budget. Peasley seconded followed by ayes from all present.

Peasley made a motion to approve the Proposed 2018-19 Budget Amendment. Evans seconded followed by ayes from all present.

Funk motioned to approve the 2019-20 School Calendar with a corrected legend. Evans seconded followed by ayes from all present.

Funk made a motion to approve adding Junior High softball and baseball to the Schedule B pay schedule. Coaches will receive $1450 each per season. Peasley seconded followed by aye votes from those present.    

Contracts were tabled for Junior High softball and baseball to meet posting requirements with a motion by Peasley and a second from Evans. All present voted aye in agreement.

Funk made a motion to hire Cayle Buckingham as a 60% Elementary Guidance Counselor with additional duties following the Schedule A salary schedule for the 2019-20 school year. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes from those present.

Donna Binning was hired as a full-time School Nurse for both the Elementary and Secondary buildings with a motion by Evans, a second by Peasley followed by all aye votes from those present. Binning’s salary will follow the Schedule A salary schedule.

With a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley the Board voted to accept the resignation of Jessie Horton as Humeston cook effective April 17th. All present voted aye to accept.

Evans motioned to accept the resignation of Dylan Jones from his Secondary teaching contract as English teacher and other related duties effective at the end of the 2018-19 contract year. The motion was seconded by Funk and all present voted aye to approve.

With a motion by Peasley and a second by Funk, Capital Sanitary was approved to refinish the gym floors at Humeston and Garden Grove this summer.

With a motion by Evans and a second by Cromer, Faller, Kincheloe & Co PLC was chosen to do the District’s audit for 2018-19. Their bid of $8200 was the only bid received for consideration. All present voted aye.

Mowing needs for summer 2019 were next up for discussion. Funk made a motion to accept Ozzie Smith’s bid of $150 per mowing for Garden Grove and M3 Lawn Care’s bid of $150 per mowing for Humeston. Bids include furnishing their own equipment and fuel. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes.

Evans motioned to renew the Educational Services Contracts with SWCC for 2019-20. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes. 

Funk made a motion to approve the bills and financials, including one from D&J Rental, upon request of an itemized invoice. Evans seconded followed by all aye votes. Motion carries. 

Evans made a motion to approve Bill Moore as bus driver to take Mr Neilssen and a group of Music students out of state for a trip to World’s of Fun on Saturday, April 13^th. Cromer seconded followed by all aye votes to pass the motion.

Director Peasley read the following resolution and motioned to adopt this Resolution for Sports Classification Equity followed by a second from Director Funk. A roll call vote was taken. Evans aye; Peasley aye; Funk aye; Cromer aye; and Smiarowski aye. There were no votes against adopting the resolution. Resolution is adopted as follows:

Whereupon the President declared said Resolution duly adopted as follows:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Mormon Trail Board of Directors feel the need for the IGHSAU & IHSAA to begin the process for modifications of how schools are classified for district and state tournament competitions, and,

WHEREAS, the IGHSAU & IHSAA recognize the challenges public school districts face when competing with certain private schools with similar enrollment, and,

WHEREAS, all students deserve a level playing field and fair opportunity to strive for success at a competitive level, and,

WHEREAS, recruitment of students and engagement in activities is further hampered by continued lack of success due to an unlevel playing field, and,

WHEREAS, there is a state and community public purpose in ensuring that students from low-income families and communities have every opportunity to engage in activities at school that build confidence, competence, teamwork skills, goal setting, leadership abilities, and caring adult relationships and peer supports that inspire motivation to succeed academically, and

WHEREAS, the IGHSAU & IHSAA must recognize that low poverty levels of students and community impact the ability of school districts to be competitive with other similar sized schools on a regular basis to deliver those ends to all students, and,

WHEREAS, Iowa public school leaders request leadership and action from IGHSAU & IHSAA to begin to address these inequities in school classification in a way that is transparent and fair for Iowa public school districts,

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board:

Mormon Trail Board of Directors call for a commitment from the IGHSAU & IHSAA Board of Control and Executive Directors to convene a committee to seriously evaluate the competitive needs of students and schools in order to experience success and the inequities inherent in a system based solely on enrollment size without consideration of family and community capacity for support and make a recommendation to a joint board of both associations to resolve this issue in the 2019-2020 school year.   

Passed and approved this 8th day of April 2019.

Principal Stripe gave a brief report to the Board mentioning students had begun testing and that 6^th graders will be shadowing Junior High students. Superintendent Phillips noted the use of At Risk funds for the full-time K-12 Nursing position and part-time Elementary Guidance Counselor position. He also encouraged people to write and submit stories and articles to the newspapers concerning the school as often as possible.

Cromer motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Evans seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 8:46 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held May 13, 2019 @ 7:00 pm in the Elementary Library.

____________________________ ___________________________

              President, Board of Education               Secretary, Board of Education

_________  _________ 

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