Board Briefs for Monday, January 11, Regular Meeting

Below is a synopsis of the board meeting actions and discussions that took place at the January 11, 2016 regular board meeting held at City Hall:

1. Sue Phillips, 113 E. 5th Street, Muscatine, spoke during Citizens Speak stating that last year the custodians were told that there was a very good chance of outsourcing their jobs and would like to know if the district is planning to do this.
2. Student Council updated the board on recent activities.
3. Margaret Buckton, Lobbyist for UEN and RSAI and Iowa School Finance Information Services Partner provided information on the state’s budget as it pertains to education. Her powerpoint can be found here.
4. Consent agenda was approved which included:
1. Minutes of December 14, 2015 regular meeting.
2. Employment Recommendations:
1. Certified Hires: Mike Truitt - MHS Special Education, Andrea Sitzmann - Grant ECSE Preschool, Kathy Degner - from 0.5 FTE to 1.0 FTE MHS At Risk General, and Megan Moellenbeck - Washington Grade 3.
2. Schedule C Hires: Dennis Schuur - Middle School Boys Basketball and Betsabe Schrock - Assistant Forensics.
3. Bills and Claims against the district dated 01/11/16.
5. The board set a date and time for a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, proposed form of contract, and the estimated cost of said improvements of the Jefferson Elementary Demolition and Deconstruction Project for Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Administration Center.
6. Superintendent Riibe shared the proposed 2016-17 school calendar. Over 450 people participated in the survey. 72.8% found the calendar favorable; 17.9% were neutral; and 9.3% did not like the calendar as presented. Survey results and comments can be found in the board book. (*The percentages listed here are as of Monday, January 11th. The survey results found in the board book are from Friday, January 8th.)
7. Superintendent Riibe updated the board on the State Report Card noting that those schools who performed in the exceptional range have a very low percent of students who qualify for free/reduced lunches making the case that those schools who have a high number of impoverished students need extra supports in place to overcome those learning barriers. Handout
8. Jean Garner reviewed the financial statements for December.
9. Alisha Eggers provided an update on the Food Service budget.
10. Superintendent Riibe updated the board on the Washington School Study. A forum was held last Thursday, January 7th for parents and community members. He noted that administration is beginning to look at the building capacity at McKinley, Franklin, and Jefferson to determine what classes would look like if they were to absorb Washington's students.
11. Superintendent Riibe reviewed the format for his upcoming evaluation.
12. Announcements of Upcoming Meetings and Events:
1. January 18 – No School – Teacher Inservice.
2. January 20 – MCSD Job Fair for Non-Certified Staff, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Administration Center.
3. January 21 - Board Policy Review Work Session, 6 p.m. at the Administration Center. 
4. January 23 – MCSD Job Fair for Non-Certified Staff, 9 a.m. to Noon – Administration Center.
5. January 25 – School Board Work Session – 6 p.m. – Administration Center.

To view the board book for this meeting, go to: Board Book - January 11, 2016.