Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Board Briefs for Monday, December 10, 2018 Regular Meeting

The Muscatine Schools' Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, Randy Naber, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Director Aaron Finn was present via phone as he was out of town on business. 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. Edward Askew spoke about the County's use of slag and how it is toxic and damaging of vehicle's tires.
  4. Muscatine High School Student Council Representatives updated the board on student council activities.
  5. Muscatine Schools Outstanding Employees for December were recognized: Doreen Borde, Kelli Holthe, Heidi Kuo, Dawn Thompson, and Sarah Walsh. 
  6. Muscatine High School special education instructors Jeff Schmelzer and Laura Koch presented information on Bags of Blessings
  7. Board Targets/Goals Report:
    1. Superintendent Riibe provided information on a possible curriculum audit.
  8. Consent agenda was approved:
    1. Minutes of the November 12, Regular Meeting.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. Resignations - Certified Administrators: Mary Beilke, effective January 3, 2019.
      2. New Hires - Schedule C: Travis Morgan, MHS Basketball Assistant; Jackson Foulk, MHS Basketball Assistant; Michael Simpson, MS Assistant Swimming; Ellie Thomas, MHS AP Coordinator.
      3. Resignations - Schedule C: Ellen Carey - MHS Assistant Softball; Marcy Duffe, MS Track.
    3. Bills and Claims Against the District dated December 10, 2018.
    4. The Special Education Contracts.
  9. Public Hearing was set for the MHS Science/STEM Project, McKinley Elementary Project, and the Colorado Elementary Project for Monday, January 14, 2019 at 7 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers.
  10. Approved the resolution to have attorney David J. Meloy draft the documents and take the steps necessary to dissolve the Muscatine Community School Foundation as an Iowa non-profit corporation.
  11. Approved administration authority to seek modified supplemental amount from the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC)  for Open Enrollment OUt not in Fall 2017 for $387,844 and ELL served beyond 5 years for $200,059. 
  12. Approved the contract with IMEG for engineering and surveying services for Madison Elementary. 
  13. Legat Architects and McKinley Staff presented information on the McKinley Elementary Project.
  14. Update provided on the preschool/elementary/middle school transition and reconfiguration.
  15. Information was given on the Interest-Based Problem Solving (IBPS) framework.
  16. October 2018  financials were reviewed.
  17. The following announcements of upcoming meetings and events:
    1. December 21, 2018: 2-Hour Early Dismissal
    2. December 24, 2018-January 1, 2019: Winter Break
    3. January 2, 2019: Teacher Inservice - No School
    4. January 3, 2019: 2nd Semester Begins
    5. January 14, 2019: Regular Board Meeting; 7 PM; City Hall
  18. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.