Mormon Trail

Mormon Trail Community School District

Community Meeting

June 17, 2019

As there was a quorum present for the Community Meeting President Smiarowski opened at 6:10 pm with Jason Peasley, Brad Funk and Marc Smiarowski answering roll call. Pat Evans entered at 6:15pm. Jeremy Cromer was absent. The agenda listed discussion as the school calendar. Other discussion led to a new design of the proposed school addition in Humeston. A trip to WACO CSD, who currently has a 4-day schedule with a calendar consisting of 149 days/1090 hours in their school year, was discussed. A small group of students, administrators, teachers and a Board member who had attended talked about their impressions of the 4-day week. It is something the District would like to look into further in the future. Peasley motioned to adjourn the Community Meeting and Evans seconded. All present voted aye to adjourn. Cromer was absent. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 7:38 pm

Regular Meeting and Closed Session

June 17, 2019

President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:50 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, 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 Brad Krutsinger, Kimberly Hayes, Claudia Brown, Gina Savely, Kara Hilton, Chris Hilton and Pam Woollis. Board member Jeremy Cromer entered the meeting at 7:54 pm.

Principal Stripe introduced Donna Binning, the newly hired District Nurse, to the group.

The TLC group, consisting of Chris Hilton, Brad Krutsinger, Claudia Brown and Kim Hayes presented information to the Board.

Evans made a motion to approve the agenda with the following changes: Item 1. Closed Session in reference to Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i) to the end of the agenda. Item 2. Possible action on Closed Session was also moved to the end of the agenda. Funk seconded. All voted aye to approve.

The consent agenda, consisting of previous meeting minutes and open enrollment was approved with a motion by Funk and a second by Cromer. All present voted aye. There were no open enrollments in or out of the District to act on.

The resignation of Steven Neilssen was approved with a motion by Evans, a second by Cromer and all aye votes by board members in agreement.

Schedule B assignments were approved with a motion by Cromer and a second by Funk. All present voted aye to approve the following:

8^th grade class sponsor- Bridgette Stark $0

Freshman class sponsor-Kara Hilton & Mona Baker $450 ea

Sophomore class sponsor-Scott Roberts & Bev Nordyke $450 ea

Junior class sponsor-Dorota Bear, Stevie Parmer and Stacie Porterfield $450 ea

Senior class sponsor-Teri Indorf & Brad Krutsinger $450 ea

National Honor Society-Adam Hysell $200

Academic Bowl-Bev Nordyke $500

Student Council-Kara Hilton/Dorota Bear $200 ea

Yearbook-Kara Hilton $2100

Speech-Kara Hilton $900

Drama-Kara Hilton $1200

Website-Robert Thatcher $900

Activities Director- Robert Thatcher $4950

TLC (Teacher Leadership Compensation) contracts will remain the same as last year with a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley. All voted in favor of issuing contracts to:

Claudia Brown- TLC Instructional Coach $54,942

Chris Hilton- Elementary Data $2989

Stacie Porterfield-Jr/Sr High School Data $2989

Brad Krutsinger-Lead Teacher$5979

Kimberly Hayes-Lead Teacher $5979

2019-20 Membership to RSAI (Rural School Advocates of Iowa) was approved with a motion by Evans, a second by Cromer and aye votes by all present.

The Board voted to approve carryover, extending the use of Superintendent Phillips 8 remaining vacation days through August 1, 2019 in a motion by Cromer and a second from Funk. All present voted aye.

With a motion from Funk and a second by Cromer the Board approved putting the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer up for bid. Bids will be accepted until August 12^th. The motion carries with ayes from all present.

Cromer made a motion to approve that Superintendent Phillips begin looking at options for a used vehicle to replace the Blazer. Phillips was instructed to look at Fords or Chevys at Fesler and Macke to see what they have in the way of 7 passenger vehicles with mileage between 25,000-35,000 miles and in the price range of $28,500. Funk seconded the motion followed by all ayes.

Funk made a motion to approve the purchase of an online communications application “SchoolMessenger” for two years at a cost of $1250. Evans seconded followed by all aye votes.

A motion was made by Evans and a second by Funk to table signing a Dual Control waiver for Great Western Bank. The waiver will be looked at again in July. Motion passes with all voting aye.

Cromer made a motion to approve the software agreement with Grant Wood AEA for one year. Cost is $6081 per year. Peasley seconded followed by all aye votes.

Evans made a motion to make a change in the District’s copier lease with M&M Sales Company. The motion includes entering a new 5-yr agreement with Xerox who will buy out the remainder of the M&M contract with the leasing company “Leaf”. Cromer seconded followed by a vote of all ayes.

Cromer made a motion to approve the bills and financials. Funk seconded followed by all ayes.

Peasley made the motion to take a short break before continuing to the closed session. Cromer seconded followed by all aye.

With a motion by Cromer and a second by Funk to go into closed session under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i), the following roll call vote was taken. Smiarowski yes; Evans yes; Peasley yes; Funk yes; Cromer yes. The Board went into closed session at 9:50 pm

The Board returned to open session at 10:27 pm

Funk 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, 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. Change is an additional $18,612.87 bringing total salary to $90,993.06. Cromer seconded followed by all ayes to approve the new 3 year rolling contract.

There were no administrative reports.

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

President Smiarowski closed the meeting at 10:38 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 & 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