Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Board Briefs for Monday, March 26, 2018 Work Session


The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in work session on Monday, March 26, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Muscatine Mall, 1903 Park Avenue, Muscatine, Iowa. Board members present: President Tammi Drawbaugh, Directors Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, and Vice President Mary Wildermuth. Director Toby McCarter was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe, Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory, and Director of Teaching and Learning Becky Wichers.

  1. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. The  DLR Group presented their findings of the feasibility study of the proposed Early Childhood Center.
  4. Superintendent Riibe noted that this project is a first step in planning for long-range facility usage. 
  5. Superintendent Riibe noted that the district will be entering into negotiations with the Muscatine Mall management regarding the leasing arrangement.
  6. The board toured the J. C. Penney area.
  7. The following events and upcoming meetings were announced:
    1. Friday, March 30, 2018 – No School, Non-Contract Day
    2. Monday, April 9, 2018 – Regular School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., City Hall
  8. The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Friday, March 23, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: March 19 - 23, 2018

Scroll down to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools! Check out the learning opportunities happening district-wide!

Featured this week:

  • District-wide Students
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Noll's 1st Grade Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: 2nd Grade Classes.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Henderson's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Rocco.
  • Jefferson Elementary: 5th Grade Future Problem Solvers.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Story's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Major Saver Top Sellers.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Manjoine's 5th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Principal of the Morning!
  • Madison Elementary: Dodgeball PBIS Award.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Ward's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mr. Stewart's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Holder's 5th Grade Art Students.
  • Madison Elementary: Hat Day!
  • Madison Elementary: 4th Grade Scientists.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Willett's 4th Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. McDonald's 5th Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: 5th Grade Visits Art Museum.
  • Central Middle School: 6th Graders Visit Herbert Hoover Museum.
  • Central Middle School: Meet Lucky!
  • West Middle School: 8th Grade Visit to the State Capitol.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Rauenbuehler's 9th Grade English Students.
  • Muscatine High School: MHS Fire Island Robotics Team.
  • Muscatine High School:  Key Club.
  • Muscatine High School: FFA.

Friday, March 9, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: March 5 - 8, 2018

Select the image below to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools! Check out the learning opportunities happening district-wide!

Featured this week:
  • District-Wide Students
  • Colorado Elementary: Cheering on the Muskies!
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Abbott's 1st Grade and Mrs. McKee's 3rd Grade Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Abbot's 1st Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Story's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Manjoine's 5th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: P.E. Yoga.
  • Madison Elementary: Lucky Clovers.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Kinyon's 2nd Grade Leadership Group.
  • Madison Elementary: Read with the One You Love.
  • McKinley Elementary: Mrs. Pangburn's Kindergarten Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. Pedersen's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade Avenger Superheroes!
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. (Walgren) Meyer's 8th Grade Math Class.
  • Central Middle School: MathCounts Regional Contest.
  • Central Middle School: Future Problem Solvers.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Hurlbert's Classes.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Matteson's ELA Classes.
  • West Middle School: 6th Grade Box Tops Fundraiser Winners!
  • Muscatine High School: Jazz Ensemble.
  • Muscatine High School: Speech and Debate.
  • Muscatine High School: Senior Survivor.
  • Muscatine High School: Vocal Music Department.
  • Muscatine High School: Mock Trial.
  • District-Wide Staff: Hogenson Named SAI's Middle Level Principal of the Year!

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Board Briefs for Monday, March 5, 2018 Regular Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, 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. Student Council Representatives Saul Ocampo and Kayla Scholz updated the board on recent and upcoming student council activities.
  4. The February-March MCSD Outstanding Employees were recognized. They are: Nate Randleman, Becky Blake, Edna Valenzuela, Andrea Wilford, and Connie Czerwiec.
  5. No one spoke during Citizens Speak.
  6. Board Targets:
    1. Superintendent Riibe shared the recent newscast from WHBF News highlighting the partnership between Muscatine Schools and the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine, specifically the online scholarship program for Muscatine High School Seniors.
  7. Approved the consent agenda which includes:
    1. The minutes of the February 12, 2018 Regular Session and the February 26, 2018 Work Session.
    2. Employment Recommendations of:
      1. Resignations – Certified Staff: (All effective at the end of the 2017-18 school year) Janessa Ford - Jefferson Kindergarten, Andrea Hogenson – WMS Math, Melinda Olesu – CMS ELA, and Janet Polley – MHS Math.
      2. Resignations – Schedule C: Davis Schrock – MHS Head Forensics, Betsabe Schrock – MHS Assistant Forensics.
      3. New Hires – Schedule C: William Flowers – MHS Assistant Track, Brianna Hilton – MHS Head Forensics.
    3. Bills and Claims Against the District dated March 5, 2018.
    4. Admin Regulations to Policies:
      1. 403.2R Substance-Free Workplace – Admin Reg
      2. 401.5R1 Family and Medical Leave – Admin Reg
      3. 401.5R2 Family and Medical Leave – Admin Reg
    5. Student Teaching Agreement with UNI.
  8. Tabled the agenda item VII. G. Approve Audit Agreement between MCSD and Bohnsack and Frommelt for FY 18, FY 19, and FY 20 in order for the district to seek a second quote from another vendor. 
  9. Approved setting public hearing for the purpose of certifying the 2018-19 budget for 7 p.m. on April 9, 2018 at City Hall in Council Chambers, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa.
  10. Approved the Teacher Leadership Compensation 2018-19 Instructional Coaches. 
  11. Approved the School Improvement Advisory Committee membership as presented. 
  12. Held a first reading on Policy 401.5 Family and Medical Leave.
  13. Superintendent Riibe updated the board on the proposed Early Childhood Center (ECC).
    1. A more in depth presentation will take place at the board’s next work session, March 26, 2018.
  14. The Superintendent discussed the RFP for transportation services noting that the savings were not feasible for the district to pursue such a service. 
  15. The financials for the month of January were shared.
  16. The following meetings and events were announced:
    1. March 5-8, 2018 Parent-Teacher Conferences
    2. March 6, 2018: Muskie Boy’s Basketball vs. Iowa City West - Des Moines
    3. March 8, 2018: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
    4. March 9, 2018: No School - Conference Comp Day
    5. March 12-16, 2018: Spring Break
    6. March 26, 2018: Board Work Session; 6 p.m.; Central Middle School
    7. March 30, 2018: No School; Non-contract day
  17. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
For supporting documents of the board agenda items, go to: March 5, 2018 Board Meeting
To watch the livestream of the meeting, go to: March 5, 2018 Board Meeting (YouTube)

This Week in Our Schools: February 26 - March 2, 2018

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

Featured this week:
  • Parents as Teachers
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Holder's 2nd Grade Art Students.
  • Grant Elementary: Miss Dindinger's Begindergarten Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Foxen's 4th Grade Art Students.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Doane's 4th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Paul's 4th Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Read Across America Week.
  • Madison Elementary: Winter Carnival Fun.
  • McKinley Elementary: Kindergarten and 1st Graders Celebrate Dr. Suess!
  • Mulberry Elementary: Read Across America!
  • Central Middle School: 7th Grade P.E. Students.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Schlawin's 7th Grade Students.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Duran's 6th Grade EL Students.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Tharps' 8th Grade Pre-AP Students.
  • Muscatine High School: Juniors Attend WIU Quad City Campus.
  • District Staff