Board Briefs for Monday, September 26, 2016 Work Session

Below is a synopsis of the Muscatine Schools' Board of Education's Work Session for Monday, September 26, 2016.

The meeting was held at 6 p.m. at the Administration Center, 2900 Mulberry Avenue. Members present: Bower, Dabeet, Drawbaugh, Finn, Mather, Naber, and Wildermuth.

1. Citizens Speak
1. Rebecca Paulson spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level.
2. Melissa Burkamper spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level.
3. Gloria Carver spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level.
4. Jen Metcalf spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level.
5. Melanie Keele spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level as well as keyboarding and the interview process for recent administrative hires.
6. Susie Norton spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level.
7. Jill Meineke spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level.
8. Andrea Cassidy spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level and adding recess time to the students' day.
9. Shawna Trosen spoke in favor of adding recess time to the students' day.
10. Andrea Kreitner spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level, adding recess time, and keyboarding.
11. Ricky Teed spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level as well as his concerns of the math program and how it helps students that need extra help or need to advance to a higher level.
12. Brian Metcalf spoke in favor of reinstating Accelerated Reader at the elementary level as well as keyboarding.
2. Approved the Resolution for a Public Hearing on the Sale of Washington Elementary, 610 Maiden Lane for Monday, October 10, 2016 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
3. Data Review:
1. Elena Bobay shared the Data Management System that is in place for all schools. This system tracks attendance, grades, interventions, etc.
2. Reviewed demographics of the district.
3. Reviewed district achievement targets.
4. Received a handout on the district's K-5 ELA programming.
1. Accelerated Reader and Journeys was discussed.
5. Reviewed Master Facility Planning.
1. PPEL and Capital Projects Funds were reviewed.
2. MHS Phase II was discussed.
1. bid letting in December.
2. work to start in April.
3. Reviewed the furniture replacement program.
1. WMS and CMS will be first buildings to have new furniture.
2. This will take place over the summer months with a possible replacement of library furniture maybe earlier.
4. Reviewed Phase III of MHS Reconstruction Project.
1. plan is to begin in 2017-18.
2. looking at adding a steel-type building for a new industrial arts/ag area and then remodeling the current industrial/ag area for the new science labs.
5. Discussed age of buildings and the need to take an in depth look at CMS as it is now the oldest building in the district and will need some significant upgrades to keep it sustainable.
6. Due to time constraints, Finance and Human Resource information was tabled and will be reviewed at the October work session, Monday, October 24th.
7. Adjourned at 8:51 p.m.

This Week in Our Schools: 9/19 - 9/23/16

Select the image below to see what our students and staff have been learning This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:

• Colorado: 4th Graders at Wild Cat Den!

• Franklin: Healthy Choices Night!

• Franklin: Ms. Harder's Kindergarten Class.

• Franklin: Ms. Holder's 5th Grade Art Class.

• Grant: Mrs. Dusenberry's 1st Grade Class.

• Grant: Mrs. Kulland's 1st Grade P.E. Class.

• Grant: 2nd Graders with Custodian Miss Sue.

• Grant: Mrs. Kulland's 2nd & 3rd Grade P.E. Class.

• Grant: Ms. Doane's 4th Grade Class.

• Mulberry: Students and Muskie Football Players.

• Mulberry: Mr. Carlson's 3rd Grade Class.

• Mulberry: Mrs. Steele's 5th Grade Class.

• WMS: Mrs. Clark's Period 2G Math Class.

• WMS: Mr. Yerington's 6th Grade Social Studies Class.

• MHS: Mr. Johnson's Human Anatomy & Physiology Classes.

• MHS: Muskie Football Update!

• MHS: Key Club.

• District-Wide Staff: Middle School Math Teachers and Instructional Coaches.

This Week in Our Schools: 9/12 - 9/16/16

Featured this week:

• District-wide Elementary: 5th Grade Band Students.
• Colorado Elementary: Students Dab for Devin!
• Colorado: ELL, TAG, Primary Readers, and 5th Grade P.E.!
• Franklin Elementary: Miss Clemens' Kindergarten Class.
• Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Van Hemert's 4th Grade Class.
• Grant Elementary: Grant's Student Leadership Team.
• Grant Elementary: Mrs. Gladwell's New Birthday Tradition for Students.
• Jefferson Elementary: A Special Gift.
• Jefferson Elementary: Miss Lindsey's 3rd Grade Class.
• Madison: Mrs. McGill's 3rd Grade Class.
• Mulberry: Mrs. Green's Kindergarten Class.
• CMS: Mrs. Duffe's 6th Grade Math Class.
• CMS: United Way's Day of Caring.
• WMS: 8th Graders Making a Difference.
• MHS: Mrs. Kelsey's, Mrs. Wells' and Ms. Robison's Special Education Classes.
• MHS: Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.)
• MHS: Mr. Gehret's ALC Class.
• MHS: Mrs. Long's Physical Education Class.
• MHS: Mr. Mayer and Mrs. Sneed's Industrial Tech Classes.
• MHS: Mighty Muskie Football.

Click on the picture below to see our students in action:

Board Briefs for Monday, September 12, 2016 Regular and Organizational/Annual Meeting

Below is a synopsis of the Muscatine Schools' Board of Education regular meeting of the retiring board and organizational/annual meeting of the board for the 2016-17 school year. 

Regular Meeting of the Retiring Board

1. The MHS A Cappella Choir was introduced and recognized for their trip to China.
2. No one spoke during Citizen's Speak.
3. Student council representatives updated the board on past and upcoming student council activities.
4. The consent agenda was approved which included:
1. Minutes of the August 8, 2016 Regular Meeting.
2. Bills and Claims Against the District dated September 12, 2016.
5. The retiring board then adjourned.

Organizational/Annual Meeting of the 2016-17 Board

1. Director Drawbaugh was re-elected as President of the Board for the 2016-17 school year. 
2. Director Wildermuth was re-elected as Vice President of the Board for the 2016-17 school year. 
3. The following annual meeting transactions were approved:
1. Appoint Lisa Mosier Bunn as Board Secretary.
2. Appoint Tom Anderson as board Treasurer.
3. Designate First National Bank, CBI Bank and Trust, and Community Bank as official depositories.
4. Appoint Stanley, Lande, & Hunter, Ahler's Law Firm, and Lynch Dallas PC as counsels to represent school district in legal matters on a time basis.
5. Designate the Muscatine Journal as the publication of record.
6. Designate Bohnsack and Frommelt as auditor of record.
7. Approve the statement of the Board's Review and Support for the discipline policies and the co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.
8. Appoint the district compliance officers.
4. The board meeting schedule for the 2016-17 school year was presented.
5. Approved Director Naber as the IASB delegate and President Drawbaugh as the alternate.
6. Appointed Director Bower to serve on the County Conference Board.
7. Appointed Director Bower to serve on the Ag Learning Center Board.
8. The consent agenda was approved which included:
1. Approval of the Audit Committee membership and the School Improvement Advisory Committee Membership. (The Teacher Quality Committee membership will be approved at the board's October meeting.)
2. Employment Recommendations:
1. Schedule C Resignations: Dan Ramos – Head Boys Tennis Coach and Katie Golien – assistant softball coach.
2. New Hires – Certified Staff: Demetria Bulthaus – Begindergarten at Franklin, Scott Gehret – ALC-At Risk at MHS; Bryce Giesmann – Art at Madison/Colorado; Renee Johnson – Special Ed; Teresa Newhall – Early Childhood Special Ed at Grant; Teri Toliver – Special Ed at MHS.
3. New Hires – Classified Professional: Stephanie Willey – Family Advocate at Jefferson/Franklin; Korey Bunn – Technology Support at MHS.
4. New Hires – Schedule C: Austin Siefers – Vocal Music at WMS; Robert Long – MS Football; Robert Becker – MS Football; Sarah Walsh, Shannon Walker, Elizabeth Thomas, and Rachel Fallon – Co-Student Council at MHS; Emily Mrosko – After School Supervision at CMS.
9. Superintendent Riibe presented a powerpoint on the upcoming Physical Plant & Equipment Levy special vote.
10. Director of Human Resources Jill Bourquin presented data from the Employee Exit Survey from the 2015-16 school year.
11. Director of Finance Tom Anderson provided the financials for the month of June, 2016.
12. Announcements of Important Dates/Future Meetings:
1. September 13 - Special Vote for PPEL - polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
2. September 26 - Board Work Session at 6 p.m. at the MCSD Auditorium.
3. September 29 - Annual Progress Report Breakfast at 7:15 a.m. at the MCSD Auditorium.
13. The board went into exempt session to discuss the sale of Washington Elementary.
14. The meeting adjourned at: 8:50 p.m.

To see the board book for this meeting, go to: Board Book

This Week in Our Schools: 9/6 - 9/9/16

Featured this week:

• Colorado: Building-wide Learning.
• Colorado: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
• Colorado: Mrs. Hartman and Mrs. Truitt's 5th Graders Learn About Bees.
• Franklin: Mrs. Holder's 2nd Grade Art Class.
• Grant: Miss Dindinger's Begindergarten Class.
• Grant: Mrs. Foxen's 5th Grade Art Class.
• Madison: Mrs. Hawkins' Class.
• Jefferson: 2nd and 3rd Graders and Football Fridays!
• CMS: Mrs. Duffe and Mrs. Turbett's 6th Grade Social Studies Classes.
• CMS: 6th Grade Back-to-School Night.
• WMS: Ms. Schneider's 6th Grade Service Learning Class.
• WMS: Ms. Bezdek's English/Language Arts Classes.
• MHS: Band/Orchestra Perform for 5th Grade Students.
• MHS: Muskie Football Highlights.
• MHS: Golf Highlights.
• MHS: Muskie Locker.
• MHS: Mrs. Dicken's and Ms. Ruesch's Chemistry Class.
• MHS: Ms. Christensen's Geometry Classes.
• District-Wide: Physical Plant & Equipment Levy Community Forum and Special Vote.

Click on the picture below to see our students in action:

This Week in Our Schools: 8/29 - 9/2/16

Click on the image below to see our students engaged in learning this past week!

Featured this week:

• Colorado: Mrs. Kiddoo's 1st Grade Class.
• Colorado: 3rd Graders in Mrs. Eserhaut's PE Class.
• Colorado: Mrs. Truitt's 5th Grade Class.
• Franklin: All School Self-portrait Mural created in Ms. Holder's Art Classes.
• Franklin: Ms. Van Hemert's 4th Grade Class.
• Grant: Miss Dindinger's Begindergarten Class.
• Jefferson: 5th Grade Students.
• Madison: Mrs. Skidmore's Kindergarten Class.
• Mulberry: Mrs. Steele's 5th Grade Class.
• Middle School (District-Wide): Agriculture Students.
• MHS: Mrs. Phillips' ELL students.
• MHS: Mrs. Walker's English/Language Arts Class.
• MHS: Ag Students - Honey Harvest!
• MHS: Mrs. Joslyn's AP Physics Class.
• MHS: Muskie Football!