Mormon Trail

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

June 14, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Music Room . Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Funk, Cromer 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 Chris Hilton, Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, Stacie Porterfield, Bryce Travis, Kara Hilton and Pam Woollis. 

First, the agenda was approved with a motion by Funk, asking to move discussion of the main door entrances at both buildings to the top of the agenda, followed with a second by Peasley. All voted aye to approve.

Bryce Travis took the floor at 7:05 pm to speak to the Board about roof problems, door entrances, security cameras, trap kits in Garden Grove rooms, steam traps, and he also wanted to make sure boiler inspections were up to date.. He finished speaking at 7:25 pm.

The consent agenda which included the previous meetings minutes and any open enrollment requests that met requirements, was approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Peasley. All present vote aye to approve the motion. There were no new open enrollments requests into or out of the District reported.

Co Cheer Coaches Ann Casey and Missy Myers were approved in a motion by Cromer and a second by Evans. All aye votes follow. Cheer coaches are volunteers and receive no pay.

Dorota Bear was approved as High School Science Teacher with a motion by Evans and a second by Cromer. All present voted aye to approve. 

The following TLC positions were approved with a motion by Funk. Data Teacher: Elementary Chris Hilton; High School Stacie Porterfield; Lead Teacher: Elementary Kim Hayes; High School: Brad Krutsinger; and Instructional Coach: Claudia Brown. It was also noted that Stephanie Vititoe who was approved for curriculum in May will work with Mrs. Brown this summer. Both will receive $20 per hour for working with TLC and Professional Development.   Cromer seconded followed by all ayes.

Claudia Brown submitted her resignation as First Grade Teacher The Board thanked Mrs Brown for her many years of service and wished her well in her new position. Her resignation was accepted with a motion by Funk Cromer seconded followed by all ayes.

The 2018-19 school calendar was amended needing hours adjusted for allowable make-up days.  There will now be 4.83 extra hours built into the calendar reduced from 5.82 days. The motion to approve was made by Funk and seconded by Evans. Votes of all ayes were heard from all present.

At the recommendation of Superintendent Phillips, Evans made the motion to approve a technology agreement with Green Hills AEA. GHAEA will provide IT support to the District one day per week from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 at the rate of $288.37 per day. Mileage will be paid at $.39 per mile. Payment will be made from the PPEL fund. The motion was seconded by Funk and all present voted aye.

An agreement to share Maintenance Director with Moravia CSD in 2018-19 was approved with a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley. All present voted aye.

Ideal Energy LLC will be installing new LED lighting throughout the Humeston Elementary building this summer with a motion by Evans and a second from Cromer. All present voted aye to approve the $11,443.40 payment to start the work. The District will pay an additional $8008 once the work is completed. This will be in the form of a rebate from Alliant Energy. PPEL funds will be used for the project. The new lighting will save the District a significant amount of money in electricity costs which will be a savings to the General Fund.

The gym floors refinishing bids were next up for discussion. Funk made a motion to accept the low bid from CapSan for $4067.26 to refinish both Humeston and Garden Grove gym floors with a water-based finish. The motion was amended to add that secretary Rash would see if CapSan could use a water-based product in Humeston and an oil-based product in Garden Grove to save money. If not, the Board would have them apply water-based at both. Evans seconded followed by all aye votes to approve. A second bid from Phillips’ Floors was received for $5340, also with a water-based product. Oil-based, which is of lesser quality was priced at $3745 by Phillips’.

Cromer motioned to move forward with the Comprehensive Facility Planning stage with UNESCO. The commitment to UNESCO for this stage is $10,000 should the District decide later not to continue to a finished product. The motion was seconded by Funk followed by all ayes.

A student teacher agreement between Graceland University and Mormon Trail CSD for 2018-19 was approved with a motion by Evans, a second by Cromer and a vote of all ayes from those present.

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

Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips briefly updated the Board on the goings on in the District. Stripe reported that summer school was going well with 12-14 students attending daily. Phillips shared his time with Kara Hilton who spoke to the Board about IT needs, including a summary of technology needs for the coming year. Chris Hilton and Stacie Porterfield also spoke to the Board about testing and TLC plans to help student achievement.

Cromer motioned to adjourn the meeting. Evans seconded followed by all ayes. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:20 pm.

The Board moved into Exempt session as allowed in Iowa Code 21.9.

The Board returned to Open Session at 9:40 pm. All Board members were present.

Cromer motioned to approve schedule B assignments as recommended by Principal Stripe. Yearbook, Website, FCCLA and Technical Assistant Drama/Set Design were tabled for future consideration. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes.

In a motion by Evans and a second by Peasley Bridgette Stark will receive $20 per hour for her additional duties as Guidance Counselor; van/bus driver’s pay will remain the same at $75/day for their combined am and pm routes and $12.50 per hour for hourly driving trips; and non-certified hourly staff will receive a 1% increase. All present voted aye.

Evans motioned to give Business Manager Rash a $500 increase in salary for 2018-19. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes.

Cromer motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Funk seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:58 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held July 9, 2018 @ 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

Building and Grounds

May 31, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the meeting of the Mormon Trail Building and Grounds Committee to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Humeston Public Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Guests signing in were Pam Woollis, Jesse Woollis, Kara Hilton, Steph Vititoe, Claudia Brown, Kimberly Hayes, Mona Baker, Brian Crawford, Clint Dyer, Marjorie Lovett, Danny Lovett, Danny Lavely, Karen Abel, Mary Ann Lavely, Jan Lundahl, Belva Snow, Linda Lovett, Jack Lovett, Mary Beth Griffin, Tim Myers, Willa Clark, Bob Gunzenhauser, Jill Tueth, and Laverne Tueth. .

The agenda was approved with a motion by Evans and a second by Peasley. All present voted aye.

Brian Crawford, representing UNESCO was present to discuss “The future of Mormon Trail” with the Board and the Building and Grounds Committee members.

Mr. Crawford told the group there were three options to consider.

1. Do Nothing

2. Grade share with another District

3. Put together a Master Plan and move forward.

Topics of discussion were grant writing for specific eligible items which would be handled by UNESCO, Open enrollment data, discovering what Mormon Trail’s “niche” is, and potential cost savings to have a K-12 facility. 

Peasley motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Evans seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 8:25 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held June 11, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m. 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

May 31, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the special meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Education to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Humeston Public Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Guests signing in were Claudia Brown, Kara Hilton, Mona Baker, Kimberly Hayes and Stephanie Vititoe.

There were no comments by visitors to the Board.

The agenda was approved with a motion by Funk and a second by Cromer. All present voted aye.

Evans made a motion to accept the 2018-19 2019-20 Teacher Master Contract. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes.

Funk motioned to move forward with the new TLC plan as recommended by Superintendent Phillips. The TLC program will consist of 1 Master Teacher, 2 Lead Teachers and 2 Data Teachers. The TLC budget will be funded with TLC funds, Professional Development Funds and General Funds. Peasley seconded the motion followed by all ayes.

Mrs. Stephanie Vititoe was approved for curriculum and TLC with a motion by Evans and a second by Cromer. Vititoe will be paid $9000 from Professional Development and TLC Funds.

The Board received one mowing/trimming application and one bid for the Humeston grounds.. Funk made a motion to offer the job to Jeremy Cromer @ $8.25 per hour not to exceed $2500. Evans seconded followed by ayes from Peasley, Funk, Evans and Smiarowski. Cromer abstained. M3 Lawn Care LLC submitted a bid for $150 per mowing.

Gym floor refinishing for both Humeston and Garden Grove were tabled. Funk motions to table followed by a second from Evans. All present voted aye.

Buses were next up for discussion. Delivery is expected sometime mid-June.

Claudia Brown and Gloria Rumley were approved as summer school teachers along with Bailey Neinas and Laura Leeper as associates. Teachers will receive $20 per hour for teaching time plus 4 hours of planning time. Associates will receive $15 per hour. The motion was made by Cromer and seconded by Funk. All present voted aye to approve.

Stephanie Parmer was approved as the High School / Jr High Secretary @ $9.50 per hour. Parmer will begin her position July 16^th.Cromer made the motion to approve with Peasley seconding followed by all ayes.

Marc Smiarowski was approved as Speed and Agility coach for 2018-19. The motion to approve the volunteer position was made by Evans and seconded by Cromer. Cromer, Peasley, Funk and Evans voted aye with Smiarowski abstaining.

Cromer motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Peasley seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:00 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held June 11, 2018 @ 7:00 p.m. 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

Public Hearing

2018-19 School Calendar

May 14, 2018

President Smiarowski called the Public Hearing to order at 7:04 pm for public comment on the proposed 2018-19 Calendar.  Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Director Cromer was not present. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Elementary / High School Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton from the Humeston New Era joined the hearing at 7:10 p.m. There were no public comments on the proposed calendar. Peasley made a motion to adjourn with Evans seconding. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski answered with all ayes. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:15 pm.

MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGULAR MEETING

May 14, 2018    

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Director Cromer was not present. 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 Chris Hilton, Steph Vititoe, Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, and Mona Baker. Kara Hilton entered the meeting at 7:25 p.m..

First, President Smiarowski asks for agenda approval. Evans motions to approve the agenda asking to move discussion of TLC to first up under the consent agenda. Peasley seconded. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski vote aye. Cromer is absent.

The consent agenda which included the previous meetings minutes and open enrollment requests that met requirements, was approved with a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley. All present vote aye to approve the motion. There were four open enrollments into the District and two out of the District reported.

Teachers Claudia Brown, Mona Baker and Kim Hayes discussed TLC (Teacher Leadership and Compensation System). The program is in its second year at Mormon Trail. The TLC program will be looking at making some changes for the coming year.

At 7:50 p.m. Evans made a motion to take a short break. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer is absent. In honor of School Board Recognition month the Board and guests were treated to pizza. At 8:00 p.m. Funk motioned to reopen the meeting. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes from those present.

First up under Action items, Evans made the motion to hire Robert Thatcher as Activity/Athletic Director for 2018-19 beginning July 1 at a salary of $4950 for the year. The position of High School Secretary was tabled until a later date. Funk seconded followed by all ayes from those present.

The resignation of Kristin Benton, High School Secretary was accepted with a motion by Funk, a second by Peasley and votes of aye by Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer is absent.

The 2018-19 school calendar was approved with one correction. December 20, 2018 will be the last day of the first semester. The motion to approve made by Evans, seconded by Peasley was followed by votes of all aye from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer is not present.

Peasley made the motion to table the Green Hills AEA Technology Agreement pending cost and to consult with the District’ audit firm to see if some or all of the services could be paid with PPEL funds. The motion was seconded by Evans and all present voted aye to table until a later date.

Mowing the grounds in Humeston and Garden Grove was next up for discussion. Evans made a motion to accept the bid from Ozzie Smith @ $150 per mowing in Garden Grove. Funk seconded followed by all ayes. There were two other bids submitted for Garden Grove. The Board did not receive any applications for the Humeston grounds. Funk motioned to advertise the job again. Either bids using the owners equipment and gas or applications using the school’s equipment and gas will be considered. Applicants and bidders must be 16 and over. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes.

A request for the District to pay for a teacher’s 2^nd tuition payment to cover costs to acquire further certification in their current job position was tabled with a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley. All Board members present answered with a vote of aye.

Kara Hilton was approved to teach High School summer school classes in June. Hilton will receive $20 per hour for her salary. Evans made the motion, Funk seconded followed by votes of aye from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer was absent.

With a motion by Evans the bid from MTYA for $5 ea was accepted for the 26 used football field lights. Peasley seconded followed by all ayes.

Evans motioned to close negotiations for 2018-19 bargaining. The Master contract was ratified and approved by the Board and will go to the members of the Mormon Trail Education Association for their approval before coming back to the Board for final approval if necessary. Funk seconded. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski voted in favor of the motion. Cromer was absent.

Peasley motioned for the negotiations team to continue their progress on the Teacher handbook with the Mormon Trail Education Association. Pat seconded followed by all ayes from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer was absent.

Funk motioned to table further discussion on the use of the Flex fund. Peasley seconded. Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski voted in favor of the motion. Cromer was absent.

Twelve seniors from the class of 2018 were approved for graduation. Motion to approve was made by Evans and seconded by Peasley. All members present voted aye.

A Building and Grounds committee was approved with Resolution 2018-3

“Be it resolved, that the Board of Directors of the Mormon Trail Community School District, wishes to form a committee composed of employees, citizens and students to assist the board with developing and improving the grounds and facilities of the Mormon Trail Community School District. The committee will assist the Board in implementing a five-year plan for grounds and facility improvements.  The following members (see attached list) signed up to be on this committee and were approved by the Board of Directors on May 14, 2018.  Anyone else who wishes to serve on this Board should contact a Board member for consideration.” The resolution was read and the motion made by Peasley to adopt Resolution 2018-3. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes from Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Cromer was absent.

Mormon Trail CSD Board Policy No. 208 provides for the local school to involve the local community in decision-making processes as appropriate.  Whenever the board deems it necessary, the board may appoint a committee composed of citizens, employees or students to assist the board.  Committees formed by the board are ad hoc committees. The committee is advisory in nature and has no duty or responsibility other than that specifically stated in the board resolution.  The committee will automatically dissolve upon the delivery of its final recommendation to the board or upon completion of the duties outlined in the board resolution. The committee may be subject to the open meetings law. The method for selection of committee members will be stated in the board resolution.

The following community members were appointed to the Building and Grounds committee:

Last under action items, Funk made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes. Motion carries. 

Principal Stripe and Superintendent Phillips briefly updated the Board on graduation, final testing, buses, and community evaluation results to name a few. Secretary Rash also gave a short presentation on a couple of reports she had put together using the 5cast plus software. Rash also made the Board aware of recognition received by the IASB Safety Group for the District’s Experience Mod in the area of workers’ compensation. The District’s rating for Policy Year 2018 is 0.820 which puts the District in the top 50% of all public and private schools, area education agencies and community colleges in the State of Iowa.

Peasley motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Funk seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment.  Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held June 11, 2018 @ 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