Friday, January 26, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: January 22-26, 2018

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


Featured this week:

  • Parent as Teachers: Indoor Winter Fun!
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Frankie and Friends Visit Sunnybrook.
  • Franklin Elementary: Miss Kathie's PK and Ms. Harders' Kindergarten Classes.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Garrett's 4th Grade Music Students.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 2nd and 3rd Grade P.E. Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 4th Grade P.E. Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: Community Tour.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Leadership Celebration!
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Holder's 4th Grade Art Students.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. Buster's 1st Grade Gifted/Talented Students.
  • District-Wide Middle School
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Larson-Walgren's 6th Grade ELA Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Mr. Edkin's 6th Grade Design and Model Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Beatty's 6th Grade ELA Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Interest Group Friday.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Hyink's 7th Grade P.E. Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: South East Iowa Bandmasters Association District Honor Band Participants.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Rauenbuehler's English 9 Students.
  • Muscatine High School: Mr. Paul's Ag 1 Students.
  • Muscatine High School:  Ag College and Career Fair.
  • Muskie Sports:  Middle and High School.
  • District-Wide Staff

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Board Briefs or Monday, January 22, 2018 Work Session

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in work session on Monday, January 22, 2018 at 6 p.m. at Grant Elementary School in the Media Center. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Nathan Mather and Toby McCarter were present. Directors Aaron Finn and Mary Wildermuth were absent. 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. Stanley Consultant representatives provided information on the possible role of their firm and the proposed feasibility study for the upcoming MHS science project.
  4. Administration and staff discussed the district’s recommendation to name the new MHS Physical Education Facility after long-time athletic director and employee Chuck Van Hecke.
  5. Grant Elementary Principal Jessi Freers and Instructional Coach Leslie Bennett updated the board on Grant’s Leader in Me journey.
  6. Director of Finance Tom Anderson reviewed the capital projects and PPEL funding and how it relates to the proposed upcoming projects.
  7. The next board meeting is Monday, February 12, 2018 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
  8. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.


Friday, January 19, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: January 15-18, 2018

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

Featured this week:


  • Franklin Elementary: Figge Art Museum Student Work.
  • Grant Elementary: Family Lead and Learn Night.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Lab.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Paul's 4th Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: First Graders Collaborate at Recess.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Stansbery's Art Students.
  • Jefferson Elementary: STEAM Club.
  • Madison Elementary: March Madness Kick Off.
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Holder's 1st Grade Art Students.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Evans' Kindergarten Class.
  • Central Middle School: New Water Fountain Bottle-Fill Station.
  • West Middle School: WMS 2018 National Geographic Bee Champion.
  • Muscatine High School: Economics Students and the Mad Money Simulation.
  • Muscatine High School: Ms. Ruesch's Essential Biology Class.
  • District-Wide Staff

This Week in Our Schools: January 3 - 12, 2018

Select the image below to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools!


Featured this week:

  • Colorado Elementary: Ms. Williams' Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Ms. Holder's 4th Grade Art Students.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Lab.
  • Grant Elementary: Reading Super Bowl.
  • Grant Elementary: Preschool Snow Ball Fight.
  • McKinley Elementary: Winnie Time!
  • Mulberry Elementary: Winter Break Reading Challenge!
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade Super Heroes.
  • Muscatine High School: Ms. Phillips' EL Class.
  • District-Wide Staff


Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Board Briefs for Monday, January 8, 2018 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District, in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa, met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2018 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Board of Directors present: Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Tammi Drawbaugh, Toby McCarter, and Mary Wildermuth. Absent: Director Nathan Mather. 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. MHS Student Council representatives updated the board on recent and upcoming student council activities.
  4. January’s Outstanding Employees were recognized: Justin Johnson, Wendy Donald, Dan Perkins, Vickie Meerdink, and Tamara Trullinger. To nominate a deserving employee go to: Employee Recognition Form.
  5. No one spoke during Citizens Speak.
  6. Potential significant projects were discussed as they relate to board targets and goals. 
  7. Consent Agenda was approved which included:
    1. Minutes of the December 11, 2017 Regular Session.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. New Hires – Classified Professionals: Sarah Helm, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Finance and Budget.
      2. New Hires – Certified Staff: Chian-You (Heidi) Kuo, Chinese Language, MHS for the 2018-19 school year.
      3. Resignations – Sched C: Matthew Rivera – Boys Golf Assistant at MHS.
      4. New Hires – Schedule C: Allison Coffman, Curriculum Coordinator – Science MHS (filling in for Justin Johnson for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year).
    3. Bills and Claims Against the District dated January 8, 2018.
  8. Approved the early retirements for FY18.
  9. Approved an exploratory study by DLR for a consolidated early childhood center. 
  10. No action was taken on the agenda item: approve a study by DLR for proposed science/STEM renovations at MHS. 
  11. Approved an exploratory study, including a possible RFP for a multi-district transportation agreement.
  12. Approved administration authority to seek modified supplemental amount from SBRC for the 2017-18 Returning Dropouts and Dropout Prevention At-Risk Program.
  13. Approved the following policies:
    1. 504.6 Participation in Athletic Events (Student Attendance) – delete
    2. 505.3 Communicable Diseases
    3. 506.4 Graduation Honors
    4. 601.25 Homework – delete
  14. Reviewed the updated October 2017 financials and November 2017 financials.
  15. Upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. January 15, 2018 – No School, Teacher Quality Inservice Day
    2. January 22, 2018 – Board Work Session at 6 p.m. at Grant Elementary
    3. February 12, 2018 – Board Regular Session at 7 p.m. at City Hall
    4. January 30, 2018 – Day on the Hill – IASB
  16. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Subscribe to the district's YouTube Channel