Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Board Briefs for Monday, September 9, 2019 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District, met in regular session on Monday, September 9, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, Randy Naber, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe and Director of Finance Tom Anderson.

  1. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Citizens Speak:
    1. Gabby Dennis, 2002 Logan Street, spoke in regards to naming the combined junior high after Susan Clark.
    2. Paul Thielmann, 1500 Oak Street, read a letter written by Dr. Paul Finkelman, as he could not be present at the meeting. Mr. Thielmann, along with Dr. Finkelman, spoke on behalf of naming the combined junior high after Susan Clark.
    3. Annette Hovland, 1914 Mulberry Avenue, spoke in support of naming the combined junior high school after Susan Clark.
  4. Board Targets/Goals Report: 
    1. Elementary principals provided an update on the start of school especially noting Muskie Family Night, technology upgrades, 5th-6th grade essentials, blending and creating new traditions, professional learning, Muskie Home Visits, and finally, an update and invite to the Muskie Early Learning Center’s Community Open House.
  5. MHS Student Council Representatives Marcos Bautista and C.J. Palmer provided information on student council activities.
  6. The consent agenda was approved as follows:
    1. The minutes of August 12, 2019, Regular Session.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. New Hires - Certified Staff: Kim Tooman, ESL, Grant and Madison; Matthew Bettis, Strat II SPED, Grant.
      2. Resignations - Certified Staff: Sandrine Gabriel, Strat II, Grant.
      3. New Hires - Schedule C: Scott Roberts, Girls’ Head Cross Country, MHS, and Girls’ Head Track, MHS; Susan Wheeler, MS Volleyball, CMS; Ann Edkin, MS Volleyball, CMS; Elizabeth Panther, MS Curriculum Leader-ELA, WMS; Alison Anson, MS Curriculum Leader-Math, WMS; Anna Miller, MS Cross Country (one year only, replaces Marcy Duffe on leave of absence); Rebecca Stogdill, MS Mock Trial, WMS.
      4. Resignations - Schedule C: Brian Mathis, MS Basketball, WMS; Brandon Welsch, Girls Golf, MHS; Michaela Hogan, Model UN, MHS.
    3. Bills and Claims against the district dated September 9, 2019.
    4. Student Teaching Agreement with the University of Iowa.
    5. Denied Jacinda Voss’ request to be released from her teaching contract post-May 20, 2019.
    6. Approved the Mentoring and Induction Consortium Agreement between Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency and Muscatine Community School District for the 2019-2020 school year. 
    7. Jeff Sandberg from Legat Architects presented information on the MHS Storm Shelter Project. 
      1. Approved setting the public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, proposed form of contract, and the estimated cost of said improvement for the MHS Storm Shelter Project for Monday, October 14, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
    8. Approved inviting the following firms: Grundmeyer Leader Search, McPherson & Jacobson LLC, and Ray and Associations Inc. to present to the board prior to the October 14, 2019, Regular Board Meeting.
    9. Appointed President Drawbaugh as the IASB Delegate for the board. 
    10. Approved naming the combined middle school Susan Clark Junior High School. 
    11. Discussed the Early Retirement Option for FY 2020. 
    12. Announced the upcoming meetings and events:
      1. September 9-14, 2019: Muskie Homecoming Week
      2. September 11, 2019: 2-hour Early Dismissal for Teacher Professional Development
      3. September 16, 17, 18, 2019: Curriculum Audit 
      4. September 16, 2019: Parent/Community Interview Night at the Administration Center at 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (for the curriculum audit)I
      5. September 17, 2019: Staff Interview Night at the Administration Center at 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (for the curriculum audit)
      6. September 19, 2019: Board Candidate Filing Deadline, 5 p.m.
      7. September 19, 2019: Muskie Early Learning Center Community Open House; 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
      8. September 24, 2019: League of Women Voter’s Board Candidate Night, 7 p.m., City Hall
      9. October 9, 2019: 2-hour Early Dismissal for Teacher Professional Development
      10. October 14, 2019: Board Regular Meeting, 7 p.m, City Hall
      11. October 28, 2019: Board Work Session, 6 p.m., Administration Center Muskie Room
    13. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Board Briefs for Monday, August 12, 2019 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, August 12, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, Randy Naber, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe, Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory, and Director of Finance Tom Anderson.

  1. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Citizens Speak:
    1. Speaking on behalf of naming the combined middle school after Susan Clark were:
      1. Dan Clark, 1221 Mulberry Avenue.
      2. Sandy Stanley, 918 Acorn Lane.
      3. Annette Hovland, 1914 Mulberry Avenue.
    2. Dana Wright, 13111 311th Street W, Illinois City, spoke about the circumstances of her resignation.
  4.  Board Targets/Goals Report:
    1. Report Card to the Community presentation.
  5. Approved moving agenda item VI. I. “Requests for Release from Teaching Contract Post-May 20, 2019 (Board Policy 404.6)” to this portion of the meeting
  6. Approved acceptance of Dana Wright’s and Sarah Meyer’s late resignation.
  7. Approved denial of the late the resignations of Sara Baker, Sandrine Gabriel, and Andrew Strunk. 
  8. Board Target/Goal Report continued:
    1. Construction Update.
  9. Director Naber left the meeting at 9:03 p.m.
  10. Approved the consent agenda as follows:
    1. The minutes of July 8, 2019, Regular Session.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. New Hires - Administrative Staff: Staci Orr, Assistant Principal, MHS.
      2. New Hires - Certified Staff: Rachel Bousselot, Gifted and Talented, Grant/Mulberry; Rebecca Ford, SPED Strat I, Jefferson; Billie Inskeep, Kindergarten, Franklin; Carlee Jensen, SPED Strat I, Jefferson; Holly Reeves, SPED Strat I, Franklin; Douglas Ward, SPED Strat I, TBD.
      3. Resignations - Certified Staff: Alicia Schmitt, Guidance Counselor, Franklin.
      4. New Hires - Schedule C: Danny Chick III, MS Football; Cheryl Middaugh, MS Curriculum Leader - SPED; Kathleen Schippers, Curriculum Coordinator- World Languages, MHS; Cassi Montandon, Assistant Volleyball, MHS; Jeannine Mullikin, MS Team Leader-Exploratories; Jordan Meyer, MS Team Leader-Math; Emily Mrosko, MS Yearbook, CMS; Kenedy Heimerdinger, Student Council Assistant Advisor, MHS.
      5. Resignations - Schedule C: Emma McCreary, MS Yearbook, CMS; Michael Simpson, MS Swimming.
      6. Resignations - Classified Professionals: Jesus Quiroz, Technology Support.
    3. Bills and Claims against the district dated August 12, 2019.
    4. Special Education Contract with West Liberty Community School District (student i.d. #...2284).
    5. Employee Assistance Program Service Agreement with Genesis Health System for FY20.
    6. Memorandum of Agreement for College Credit Courses for High School Students with Eastern Iowa Community College (Muscatine Community College).
    7. Agreement to provide consultant services for Registered Dietician Services with Performance Health and Fitness, LLC for FY90.
  11. Approved the MCSD Student Handbook for the 2019-20 school year. 
  12. Approved the agreement of service with Unity Healthcare for one full-time nurse. 
  13. Approved the orchestra instrument purchase from West Music in the amount of $55,554.79.
  14. Approved the release for Request for Proposals for a Superintendent’s Search Firm. 
  15. Approved the third and final reading of Policy 201.4 Elections of the Board. 
  16. The May financials were provided for board review.
  17. The following upcoming meetings and events were announced.
    1. August 13: Mobile Food Pantry; 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; MHS Back Parking Lot
    2. August 14: New Teachers Report
    3. August 19: Teacher Quality Inservice
    4. August 20: Super Inservice for All Staff (all buildings closed 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
    5. August 21 and 22: All Teacher Report
    6. August 23: First Day of School for Grades 1-9 (New Muskie Day for Grade 9)
    7. August 23: Staggered Start for ½ of PK, Begindergarten, Kindergarten
    8. August 26: Staggered Start for ½ of PK, Begindergarten, Kindergarten
    9. August 26: All students grades 1-12 attend
    10. August 26: First Day for Acceptance of School Board Nomination Papers
    11. September 2: Labor Day; No School
    12. September 9: Regular Board Meeting; 7 p.m.; City Hall
  18. The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

Watch the meeting via the district's YouTube Channel (coming soon)

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Board Briefs for Monday, July 8, 2019 Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, July 8, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Vice President Mary Wildermuth called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, and Toby McCarter were present. President Tammi Drawbaugh and Director Randy Naber were absent. Also present was Superintendent Jerry Riibe.

  1. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Citizens Speak:
    1. Jacqueline McCoy, 2114 Schley, asked the Board to consider naming the combined Muscatine Jr. High School after Susan Clark, daughter of Alexander Clark. 
  4. Board Targets/Goals Report:
    1. Students will graduate prepared for post-secondary success:  Superintendent Riibe gave an update on a proposed new high school pathways program. 
    2. Students will learn in a positive and supportive environment: Dr. Kandy Steel, Jefferson Elementary Principal, presented information on the Muskie Super Summer STEA2M Camp.
  5. Consent Agenda:
    1.  “Resignations - Administrative Staff” was removed from Employment Recommendations as part of the consent agenda.
    2. Approved the following:
      1. Minutes of June 10, 2019, Regular Session.
      2. Employment Recommendations:
        1. New Hires - Administrative Staff: Thomas Ulses, Assistant Principal/Activities & Athletic Director, MHS.
        2. New Hires - Certified Staff: Taylor Anderson, 4th Grade Teacher, Franklin; Sarah Baldi, German Teacher, MHS; Nicole Benisch, Kindergarten Teacher, Grant; Rebecca Bettis, Special Education Strat I Teacher, McKinley; Meredith Gorman, 5th Grade Teacher, Madison; Chelsea Spray, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, Muskie Early Learning Center; Debi Wesolowski, Special Education Strat II Teacher, Grant.
        3. Resignations - Certified Staff: Kayla Huber, Special Education Teacher, Franklin; Kelly Polukonda, Kindergarten Teacher, Franklin.
        4. New Hires - Schedule C: Skye Petersen, Pom Pon Assistant, MHS; Amy Justus, MS Team Leader - ELA, CMS; Anna Rauenbuehler, MS Cross Country (2019-20 school year only).
        5. Resignations - Schedule C: Nathan Rickard, MS Team Leader, Exploratories, CMS; Jacob Huebener, Mock Trial, MHS; Marcy Duffe, MS Cross Country (2019-20 school year only).
      3. Bills and Claims against the district dated July 8, 2019.
      4. Muscatine Preschool Alliance Contracts with Head Start, Guardian Angel, A Child’s Place, and Wonder Years.
      5. Special Education Contracts with Dubuque Community School District (student i.d. #...3398) and Iowa City Community School District (student i.d. #...1072).
  6. Employment Recommendations - Resignations - Administrative Staff, specifically, Superintendent Riibe’s resignation effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year was approved with gratitude for his service and commitment to the Muscatine community further noting that board members had known of his intentions to retire at the end of the 19-20 school year.
  7. Superintendent's Evaluation was discussed with the recommendation to utilize last year's model and how that can also serve to determine the leadership qualities needed in the next superintendent.
  8. Upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. July 8, 2019, Online Registration Opens
    2. July 22-25, 2019, All school buildings will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. to provide assistance to those families who need help with the registration process.
    3. August 12, 2019, Regular Board Meeting; 7 PM; City Hall
  9. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Watch the meeting via YouTube:




Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Board Briefs for Monday, June 10, 2019 Regular Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Vice President Mary Wildermuth called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, and Randy Naber were present. President Tammi Drawbaugh was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe and Director of Finance Tom Anderson.
  1. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Citizens Speak:
    1. Jacqueline McCoy, 2114 Schley, spoke to the naming of the combined Central/West Middle School and advocated for naming the school after Susan Clark.
    2. Jay Brady, 417 Kindler Avenue, spoke to the naming of the combined Central/West Middle School and also advocated for the school building to be named after Susan Clark.
    3. Dan Clark, 1221 Mulberry Avenue, referred to the handout given to board members regarding key points for advocating for Susan Clark Junior High School as the name of the combined Central/West Middle School building.
    4. Sue Thielmann, 1500 Oak Street, explained how naming the combined Central/West Middle School after Susan Clark would benefit the students of the school district by supporting diversity in the school system.
    5. Jean Clark, 1221 Mulberry Avenue, advocated for naming the combined Central/West Middle School after Susan Clark noting that there are few school buildings in Iowa and the nation named after females.
  4. There were no items discussed under the Board Targets/Goals agenda item.
  5. The consent agenda was approved as follows:
    1. The minutes of May 13, 2019, Regular Meeting.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. New Hires - Certified Staff: Stephanie Cromer, English Language Arts, MHS; Emily Hill, Special Education Strat I, WMS; Sariah Lee, 2nd Grade, Grant; Bryce Lightner, Industrial Tech, MHS; Kathryn Matson, 2nd Grade, Franklin; Cassi Montandon, Ag, MHS; Anna Putman, Kindergarten, Franklin.
      2. Resignations - Certified Staff: Haley Denton, English/Language Arts, CMS; Rebecca Eggert, 3rd Grade, Franklin; Carol Hightower, Special Ed, Jefferson; Lisa McKee, 3rd Grade, Grant; Jamie Pugh, Instructional Coach, McKinley.
      3. New Hires - Schedule C: Luis Enrique Torres, Assistant Baseball, MHS; Mollie LaRue, Head Cheer, MHS; Hannah Whitworth, Assistant Cheer, MHS.
      4. Resignations - Schedule C: Alissa Castle, Assistant Volleyball, MHS; Chris Foxen, Assistant Boys Track, MHS; Mary Goedken, Assistant Boys Tennis, MHS; Jacob Huebener, MS Mock Trial, WMS; Austin Kinsey, Assistant Girls Soccer, MHS; Ron Kiser, Head Boys Tennis, MHS; Amy Lilienthal, MS Team Leader - Math, CMS; Jordan Meyer, Assistant Girls Soccer, MHS; Thomas Randleman, Head Girls Golf, MHS; Randy Rosa, Assistant Baseball, MHS; Dakotah Sommer, Volleyball, CMS; Megan Stutzel, Volleyball, WMS; Tristan Tolle, MS Stage and Drama, CMS.
      5. Resignations - Administrators: Shauna Koppenhaver, Assistant Principal, MHS.
      6. New Hires - Classified Professionals: James Ludman, Assistant Supervisor, Facilities and Maintenance.
    3. Bills and Claims Against the District dated June 10, 2019.
    4. The Special Education Contracts with Clinton Community School District (student i.d. *2919), Piney Ridge Behavioral (student i.d. *1072), Des Moines Public Schools (student i.d. *2386, *4687), Columbus Community School District (student i.d. *5360), Grant Wood AEA (student i.d. *7105), College Community School District (student i.d. *0992).
    5. Agreement between Eastern Iowa Community College District/Muscatine Community College and Muscatine Community School District for video production and cablecast services for July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.
  6. Approved the contract with Curriculum Management Solutions for a curriculum audit in the amount of $40,900 with a post-audit visit option of $3,000.
  7. Approved waiving a portion of the instructional material fee from $85 (9-12) and $55 (K-8) to $40 for students in grades K-12 for the 2019-20 school year.
  8. Approved a 3-year lease with American Capital for student/classroom technology hardware not to exceed the annual budgeted amount of $500,000.  
  9. Approved the acceptance of the bid from Midland Paper in the amount of $33,187.23. 
  10. Approved the acceptance of the bid from Rapids Foodservice Contract and Design of Cedar Rapids for the purchase of equipment, supplies, and services in the amount of $263,983.60. 
  11. Krista Regennitter, Director of the Muscatine County ISU Extension and Outreach presented an update on the Juntos Program.
  12. A second reading on policy 201.4 Elections to the Board was held.
  13. The financials for the months of March and April 2019 were reviewed.
  14. The following upcoming meetings and events were shared:
    1. Summer Hours for district buildings (including the Administration Center): 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Closed on Fridays. 
    2. July 8, 2019: School Board Meeting, 7 p.m.; City Hall
  15. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Meeting Agenda with Supporting Documents
Unofficial Minutes
Watch the meeting on the district's YouTube Channel (link coming soon)