Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Board Briefs for Monday, January 23, 2017 Board Work Session

The Board met on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 6 p.m. at the Administration Center. Those members present: Bower, Dabeet, Drawbaugh, Finn, Naber, and Wildermuth. Absent: Mather. Also present: Superintendent Riibe and Director of Finance Tom Anderson.


  1. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
  2. President Drawbaugh welcomed visitors and media representatives.
  3. Approved the 3 year contract with the Muscatine Education Association.
  4. Heard an update from Doug Hoag, President of Friends of FFA.
  5. Guidance Counselors presented a Needs Assessment for Mental Health and a proposal to meet students needs at the high school, middle school, and elementary buildings.
  6. Reviewed the following data:
    1. Chronic Absentee Numbers.
    2. Fast Data.
    3. District ACT/Aspire data.
  7. Received an update on MHS Construction Projects of the MHS Weight Room and Gymnasium Entrance and the Science/Industrial Tech Wing.
  8. Next Meeting: Monday, February 13, 2017 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
  9. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Friday, January 20, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 1/16 - 1/20/17

Select the picture below to see what our students and staff have been doing This Week in Our Schools.


Featured this week:


  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin: Ms. Holder's 4th Grade Art Students.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Phys Ed Students.
  • Jefferson: Mrs. Faye's Music Class - Mrs. Klein's 5th Graders.
  • CMS/WMS: Mrs. Blanchard's Orchestra Students.
  • WMS: Mrs. Hyink's 7th Grade Phys Ed Students.
  • MHS: HyVee Students and Service Leaders of the Quarter.
  • District-Wide Staff: MHS Hy-Vee Staff of the Quarter.

Friday, January 13, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 1/9 - 1/13/17

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


Featured this week:

  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Mohror's 3rd Graders with Ms. Schumaker's Kindergarten Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Goddard's Reading Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Noll's 1st Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Skidmore's Reading Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: 3rd Grade Student Leaders Visit with Wilton Teachers and Staff.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Paul's 4th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 5th Grade P.E. Classes.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Hepker's Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Miss Mary's Preschool Class.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Curtis' Future Problem Solvers.
  • Muscatine High School: Band News!
  • District-Wide Staff: Jefferson Staff

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Board Briefs for Monday, January 9, 2017 Regular Session

The  Muscatine Schools' Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Board Members present: Tim Bower, Tammi Drawbaugh, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Randy Naber, and Mary Wildermuth. Board Member John Dabeet was absent. Also present was Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory. Superintendent Jerry Riibe was present via phone as he was unable to attend due to weather-related travel issues. Director of Finance Tom Anderson was absent.

  1. Student Council reported on past and upcoming activities.
  2. Rachel Reifert, Tammy Ales, Lynn Ralston, Kelly Meyer, and Julie Evans were awarded January's Recognizing Excellence Award. They were nominated by their peers and/or parents for going above and beyond for students, staff, and parents on a continual basis.
  3. Citizens Speak: Director Naber announced he will not be running for re-election to school board this coming fall.
  4. The consent agenda was approved which included:
    1. The Minutes of December 12, 2016 Regular Meeting.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. Schedule C New Hires: Bob Long - MS Basketball; Troy Kulland - MS Track; Wade McLeod - Wrestling Assistant (1/2 contract); Rob Awbrey - Wrestling Assistant (1/2 contract).
      2. Schedule C Resignations: Robert Rhum - MS Track and MS Football; Ben Nietzel - MS Basketball.
      3. New Hires - Classified Professionals: Deborah Fisk - Food Service Manager at WMS.
      4. Policies:
        1. 504.1 Student Government
        2. 504.4 Initiations
        3. 505.4 Student Injury or Illness
      5. Bills and Claims.
    3. The following early retirements were approved:
      1. Nancy Briles - Food & Nutrition
      2. Maria Elena Macias - SCAP
      3. Chris Harrison - CM
      4. Jeffrey Sywassink - CM
      5. Kandis DeLeon - Teacher
      6. Sherry Porter - SCAP
      7. Brenda Mosier - SCAP
      8. Gail Pusateri - Teacher
      9. Henry Murray - Teacher
      10. Karen Woods - Teachers
      11. Beth Irwin - SCAP
      12. Debbie Ferreira - Classified Professional
      13. Sally Echelbarger - Teacher
      14. Sheila Marks - Teacher
      15. Anita "Nikki" Truitt - Teacher
    4. Approved admin authority to seek modified supplemental amount from SBRC for the 2016-17 Returning Dropouts and Dropout Prevention At-Risk Program.
    5. Mike McGrory gave an overview of the district goal setting timeline.
    6. Mike McGrory and Terry Hogenson talked about the Middle School Furniture Replacement Timetable. Journal Article
    7. Agenda items: Budget Development Timeline and Future Ready Iowa were postponed and will be revisited at a future meeting.
    8. The following announcements of meetings and events were provided:
      1. January 16, 2017 Teacher Professional Development Day - No School for Students
      2. January 23, 2017 - School Board Work Session; 6 p.m.; Admin Center Auditorium
      3. February 13, 2017 - School Board Regular Session; 7 p.m.; City Hall
    9. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
    10. The board went into exempt session to discuss negotiations.
To see the full board book: Board Book January 9, 2017



Sunday, January 8, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 1/3 - 1/6/17

Click on the image below to see what our students and staff have been up to This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:
  • Colorado Elementary: Student Council Visits MCSA.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Noll's 1st Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Harders' Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Van Hemert's 4th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Student Leaders.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 3rd Grade P.E. Classes.
  • Grant and Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Sneath's 3rd Grade Gifted/Talented Students.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mr. Loos' 3rd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Poppe's 4th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. McGill's 3rd Grade Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Mrs. Strouf's 1st Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Evan's Kindergarten Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Story and Mrs. Hill's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Classes.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Polar Express Day!
  • WMS: Mrs. Curtis' Gifted and Talented Students.
  • WMS: Geography Bee Champion!
  • WMS: Mrs. Duffe and Mrs. Turbett's 6th Grade Math Classes.
  • WMS: Mrs. Hyink's Pys Ed Class - School Record Setters!
  • MHS: Key Club Visits Grant Elementary Students.
  • District-Wide: January Employee Awards!
  • District-Wide: Catherine Miller Explorer Award Winner - Sarah Meyer!