Mormon Trail

Mormon Trail Community School

Regular Meeting

August 12, 2019

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Garden Grove Superintendent’s Office. Answering roll call were board members Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Guests signing in were Belinda Adkins, Renae Poush, Cole Poush, Terre Acheson, Richard and Trudy Tait, Rachel Graham, Autumn Fraker, Zach Fraker, Mavery Fraker, and Kara Hilton.

Cromer motioned to approve the agenda. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Cromer, Peasley and Funk. Evans was absent.

The consent agenda, consisting of previous meeting minutes and no open enrollments was approved with a motion by Peasley and a second from Cromer. Motion passes with ayes from Smiarowski, Cromer, Peasley and Funk. Evans was absent. With a motion by Cromer and a second from Funk the Board voted to go into Closed Session in reference to Iowa Code 21.5(1) (j) of the open meetings law to discuss the sale of a particular Real Estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the school district would have to pay or lower the price the Board would receive for that property.

A roll call vote was taken to enter closed session. Smiarowski, yes; Funk, yes; Cromer, yes. Peasley, yes. Evans was absent.

The group went into closed session at 7:05 pm.

The Board returned to open session at 7:35 pm.

Peasley made a motion to table action on the closed session. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Cromer, Peasley and Funk. Evans was absent.

With a motion by Funk and a second from Cromer the Board voted to go into Closed Session in reference to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a) of the open meetings law to review or discuss records which are required or authorized to be kept confidential.

A roll call vote was taken to enter closed session. Smiarowski, yes; Funk, yes; and Cromer, yes; Peasley, yes. Evans was absent.

The group went into closed session at 7:37 pm

The Board returned to open session at 8:13 pm

Upon returning to open session, Funk made a motion to table any action on the closed session. The motion was seconded by Peasley followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent.

There were no resignations to report.

The following persons were approved for various positions:

Cheer Coach-Breanna Glenn; motion by Cromer, seconded by Funk followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Cheer Coach is an unpaid position.

Associate Transportation and Special Ed van route -Bill Moore; motion by Funk, seconded by Peasley followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Moore will receive an hourly wage of $12.88 for misc transportation duties and will receive $77.25 per day for the SPED route.

Special Ed van route-Belinda Adkins; motion by Cromer, seconded by Peasley followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Adkins will receive $77.25 per day for her route.

Cassie Moore was approved for mowing the athletic fields in Humeston with a motion by Peasley, seconded by Cromer followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Moore will be paid $50 per mowing.

Football coaches named in a motion by Funk were Travis Johnson-Head Varsity ($2900); Sam Moore- Assistant Varsity/JV ($2005); Jason Newton-Volunteer ($0); Marc Smiarowski-Volunteer ($0). The motion was seconded by Cromer followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent.  There will be no Junior High football program this year due to low numbers.

Volleyball coaches named in a motion by Cromer were Josh Stiles-Head Varsity ($2900); Leslie Bexten- Assistant Varsity/JV ($2005);Katie Newton- Junior High ($1450). Peasley seconded, followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent.

Elementary Secretary-Ashley Eslick; motion by Funk, second by Peasley followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Eslick will be paid $9.50 per hour.

Bailey Neinas will move from SPED associate to Library associate with a motion by Peasley and a second from Cromer. The motion passes with aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent.

The Certificate of Need, as presented by Superintendent Phillips, was approved with a motion by Funk, a second by Cromer, followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. Phillips will deliver the Form by the August 20^th deadline. The Certificate of Need is a crucial step in the District’s process for getting approved to hold a vote for a bond for the proposed new Junior/Senior High School addition at the Humeston Elementary location.

There were 11 bids received for the 2005 Trail Blazer the District has been receiving bids for. The high bid of $3700 was received from Jon Becker. With a motion by Peasley, a second by Cromer followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley and Evans being absent, the motion passes to accept the bid.

The Abstract of votes for the June 25, 2019 Mormon Trail Community School District Special  PPEL Election was accepted by the Board with a motion by Cromer and a second by Peasley followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. There were 225 votes in favor and 165 votes against for a total of 390 votes cast. The levy of $1.34 per $1000 assessed taxable property value annually will be in effect for 10 years beginning the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.   

Stephanie Parmer and Ashley Eslick were approved to be added to banking authorizations for the Nutrition and Activity accounts at Great Western Bank for the District effective immediately with the approval of these minutes at the next regular board meeting, replacing the authorizations currently held by Lori Reed. Marc Smiarowski and Peggy Rash will remain as the only authorized signers on all accounts the District holds at the Great Western Bank. Only Rash and Smiarowski will be allowed to sign checks for the District. Parmer and Eslick will be authorized to conduct business such as making deposits, picking up deposit bags, as well as, doing online intra-net transfers for the Nutrition and Activity accounts. GWB will provide the District with 3 keys for the outside drop night deposit. A night drop agreement will be required. Funk motioned to approve, Peasley seconded followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent.

Funk made a motion seconded by Cromer to approve the bills and financials followed by aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Peasley. Evans was absent. 

Cromer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Funk seconded. All voted in agreement. President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:16 pm

The next meeting of the Mormon Trail Board will be held September 9, 2019 at 7:00 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

Work Session

July 25, 2019

The Mormon Trail School Board met for a Work Session July 25, 2019 in the Humeston Elementary Library. 

President Smiarowski called the work session to order at 6:04 p.m. Peasley, Funk, Evans, Cromer and Smiarowski were present. Superintendent Phillips, Principal Stripe and Secretary Rash were also in attendance. Guests signing in were Stevie Parmer and Carma Dixon. Representatives from DLR were also present.

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

DLR brought updated drawings of the proposed layout for the K-12 bldg project. The group also walked the proposed site which DLR had outlined for better visualization. Discussion focused on the proposed layout. 

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

President Smiarowski closed the workshop at 7:41 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

Regular Meeting

July 15, 2019

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Music Room. Answering roll call were board members Funk, Cromer and Smiarowski. Peasley was absent. Superintendent Kerry Phillips, Principal Becky Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Guests signing in were Mona Baker, Brad Krutsinger and Pete Clancy, ISEA. Evans entered the meeting at 7:29 pm.

Cromer motioned to approve the agenda. Funk seconded followed by all ayes from Smiarowski, Cromer and Funk. Peasley and Evans were absent.

The consent agenda, consisting of previous meeting minutes and one open enrollment out to another district meeting requirements was approved with a motion by Funk and a second from Cromer. Motion passes with ayes from Smiarowski, Cromer and Funk. Peasley and Evans were absent.

With a motion by Cromer and a second from Funk the Board voted to go into Closed Session in reference to Iowa Code 21.5(1) of the open meetings law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose performance is being considered to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that the individual’s reputation, as the individual has requested a closed session.” A roll call vote was taken to enter closed session. Smiarowski, yes; Funk, yes; and Cromer, yes. Peasley and Evans were absent.

The group went into closed session

The Board returned to open session at 7:44 pm.

The Board took no action on the closed session.

With a motion by Funk and a second from Cromer the Board voted to go into Closed Session in reference to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a) of the open meetings law to review or discuss records which are required or authorized to be kept confidential. A roll call vote was taken to enter closed session. Smiarowski, yes; Funk, yes; and Cromer, yes; Evans, yes. Peasley was absent.

The group went into closed session.

The Board returned to open session at 7:56 pm

Additional guests joining the meeting were Kara Hilton, Stevie Parmer, Linda Horton, Renae Poush, Kimberly Hayes, Pamela Woollis, Claudia Brown and Stephanie Bear.

Upon returning to open session, Cromer made a motion to adopt Mormon Trail CSD’s Emergency Response Plan. Evans seconded followed by all aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Evans. Peasley was absent. The State requires that all Districts have a comprehensive plan in place for emergency situations. The plan is not a public document.

Cromer made a motion to accept the resignations of Amy Horton, JH volleyball coach and Lori Reed, Elementary/Administrative Secretary. The motion was seconded by Funk followed by all aye votes from Funk, Cromer, Smiarowski and Evans. Peasley was absent. The District would like to extend their appreciation and thank both ladies for their service to the District. Reed has worked for the District since 1990.

Sandy Moore, head of the District’s Nutrition Program, made her recommendation to the Board to accept the bid submitted by Kohls Wholesale for groceries for the 2019-20 school year. Kohls was the only bid received out of 3 sent. Funk made a motion to accept Moore’s recommendation for Kohls. Cromer seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.

Dairy/milk bids were received from AE Dairy and Hiland Dairy. Moore recommended the low bid from AE Dairy be accepted for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. Evans made the motion to go with AE Dairy. Cromer seconded. Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans voted ayes. Peasley was absent.

Evans made a motion to accept Agriland FS’s low LP bid of $.87 per gallon. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk and Evans. Cromer abstained. Peasley was absent. MFA submitted a bid of $.899 per gallon.

Cromer motioned to approve a four-day week innovative schedule beginning in 2020-2021.Funk seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.

Cromer made a motion to approve increasing the salary to $13.50 per hour for Stevie Parmer who will assume the Activity Accounting duties currently being done by Reed. Parmer will also remain the high school secretary and perform the added role of Superintendent’s secretary. An Elementary Secretary will be hired at $9.50 per hour with duties to be determined later. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.

Parmer will continue to work in Garden Grove where Superintendent Phillips will make his new office.

Evans made a motion to keep registration fees the same as last year. Breakfast and Lunch prices will also remain the same.

Full price Reduced price

Book rent $35 $25

Student lunch $2.15 $.40

Student breakfast $1.25 $.30

Extra Milk $.40

The motion includes activity pass prices. All prices will remain the same with the addition of a new adult pass price.

Student activity pass $30 ea

Family of 3 or more children $70 per family

Adult pass $100 ea

Senior Citizen pass $25 ea

Technology deposit $50

(one-time refundable charge

for grades 9-12)

Cromer seconds the motion followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.

Hourly and Certified substitutes will receive the same pay as last year with a motion by Funk and a second by Cromer followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent. Hourly subs will receive $8.25 per hour and Teacher subs will receive $110 for a full day.

The District’s depositories were approved with a motion by Evans and a second from Funk followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.  Great Western Bank and ISJIT (Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust) were both approved in the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NAMING DEPOSITORIES

The Mormon Trail Community School Board of Education designates the following named banks to be depositories of the Mormon Trail Community School District for the 2019-20 school year and that funds are not to be exceeded in the amounts stated below.

Great Western Bank Humeston, Iowa $2,000,000

ISJIT Des Moines, Iowa $2,000,000

Cromer made a motion to approve the billing from MDL insurance for 2019-20. Funk seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.

As official results of the PPEL vote had not yet been received, the Board could not approve the official canvas of votes. Rash will contact the Wayne County Auditor and Ahler’s Law. Unofficially, the PPEL vote passed on June 25, 2019.

Funk made a motion to have Fesler Automotive find the District a white Ford Explorer XLT with 35,000 miles or less for $27,500. The vehicle should be CPO’d (certified pre-owned) which comes with a good warranty. Cromer seconded followed by ayes from Smiarowski, Funk, Cromer, and Evans. Peasley was absent.

Funk made a motion seconded by Cromer to approve the bills and financials. All present voted aye. Peasley was absent.

Cromer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Funk seconded. All voted in agreement. President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:47 pm

The next meeting of the Mormon Trail Board will be held August 12, 2019 at 7:00 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

Special Meeting

June 24, 2019

President Smiarowski called the special meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary District Office. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Peasley, Funk and Smiarowski. Superintendent Kerry Phillips and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Cromer entered the meeting at 5:36 pm.

Peasley motioned to approve the agenda. Funk seconded followed by all ayes.

First up under action items was a land purchase. Evans made a motion to approve the purchase of 12 acres of land from Roy Kyner, LLC and Mary Kyner Heirs, LLC at a price of $5000 per acre plus the cost of the survey and legal fees and closing costs. Funk seconded followed by all aye votes.

Funk made a motion to authorize Marc Smiarowski to sign paperwork for the land purchase. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes.

The following contracts for 2019-20 were approved:

Becky Stripe, PK-12 principal received a 3% increase in salary with a motion by Funk, a second by Cromer and all ayes in agreement. Stripe’s salary will be $74,675.

A 3% increase in salary was also approved for Peggy Rash, Business Manager/Board Secretary/HR with a motion by Evans and a second by Funk. All present voted aye. Rash’s salary will be $40,243.94.

Marc Smiarowski was approved for Speed and Agility with a motion by Evans, a second by Peasley, and aye votes from Cromer, Evans, Funk and Peasley. Smiarowski abstained. Motion passes. Smiarowski is a volunteer for the District.    

Cromer made a motion to offer Mr Phillips a new contract with the following terms: 28 days will be added to the contract bringing total contracted days from 144 to 172, vacation days increase from 9 to 10.5, sick days from 10 to 11, and personal days remain the same with 3. Phillips will also receive Family Health Insurance and the use of a school vehicle for use during school business. Days in the District will be increased from the current 3 days to 4 days during the school year and decreased from 3 days to 2 days during the summer. Total change is $18,612.87 bringing total salary to $90,993.06. Funk seconded followed by all ayes to approve the new 3 year rolling contract.

Evans made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Funk seconded. All voted in agreement. President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 5:50 pm

The next meeting of the Mormon Trail Board will be held July 15, 2019 at 7:00 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