Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Board Briefs for Monday, February 25, 2019 Planning Session


The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in planning session on Monday, February 25, 2019, at 6 p.m. at the Muscatine Community School District Administration Center. 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 absent. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe and Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory. Director of Finance Tom Anderson was present via phone.
  1. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. No one spoke during Citizens Speak.
  4. Agenda item VII “2019-20 Budget and Capital Projects Discussion” was moved to the beginning of the meeting.
  5. Information on the proposed 2019-20 budget was shared. 
    1. It was noted that the district is proposing a levy rate of $13.82848 for next school year which is $1.00036 less than the current year’s levy rate.
  6. The proposed capital projects for the next school year were reviewed. 
  7. Approved the proposed plans, specifications, proposed form of contract, and other estimated costs of said improvements for the Muskie Early Learning Center.
  8. The 2019-20 school calendar was approved.
  9. The following upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. February 26, 2019, SLAG Meeting; 6:30 p.m.; Wilton Community Center
    2. March 11, 2019, Regular Board Meeting; 7 p.m.; City Hall
    3. March 11-14, 2019, Parent-Teacher Conferences
    4. March 14, 2019, 2-hour Early Dismissal
    5. March 15, 2019, No School/Conference Comp Day
    6. March 18-22, 2019, Spring Break
  10. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Board Briefs for Thursday, February 21, 2019 Special Session

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in special session on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at noon at the Muscatine Community School District Administration Center to listen to a presentation regarding the proposed district/school audit. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, Randy Naber, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Director John Dabeet was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe, Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory, Director of Teaching and Learning Becky Wichers, and Director of Finance Tom Anderson.
  1. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Holly Kaptain, Executive Director with Curriculum Management Solutions was introduced.
  4. Ms. Kaptain presented information on her company's school audit services.
  5. Meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m.



Thursday, February 14, 2019

Board Briefs for Monday, February 11, 2019 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, February 11, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Toby McCarter, and Randy Naber were present. Directors Aaron Finn and Nathan Mather were present via conference phone. Director Mary Wildermuth was 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. No one spoke for Citizen Speaks.
  4. President Drawbaugh presented the student council update as student council representatives were not able to attend due to the weather.
  5. The Board Targets/Goals Report was moved to the next meeting due to the weather.
  6. The consent agenda was approved as follows:
    1. The minutes of January 14, 2019, Regular Meeting.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. Resignations - Certified Staff: Catherine Froelich, 1st Grade, Franklin, effective 1/25/19; Conice McIntyre, Math, WMS, effective the end of 2018-19 school year; Milaena Reade, World Language, MHS, effective the end of the 2018-19 school year; Anthony Tometz, Math, WMS, effective the end of the 2018-19 school year; Brianna Umlandt, 1st Grade, Madison, effective the end of the 2018-19 school year.
      2. Return from Military Leave: Justin Johnson, Science, MHS, effective 4/1/19.
      3. New Hires - Schedule C: Tristan Tolle, MS Stage and Drama, CMS.
      4. Resignations - Schedule C: Mike Fladlien, Mock Trial, MHS; Mileana Reade, Curriculum Coordinator, World Languages, MHS.
      5. TLC - Instructional Coaches for 2019-20: Franklin: David Svenson, Shawn Larson-Walgren; Grant: Jill Church, Mackenzie Strouf; Jefferson: Rhonda Franklin, Nancy Van Hemert; Madison: Karen Stern, Kerry Dalbey; McKinley: Marsha McGill, Kathi Eichelberger, Teresa Randleman; Mulberry: Tammy Ales, Laney Berry; CMS: Christina Walker, Kelly Beale, Derek Zabransky; WMS: Mark Begey, Rachel Fallon; MHS: Matt Rivera, Aaron Smith, Sarah Walsh, Denise Hillman; District ICs: Stacy Olson - Elementary and Staci Orr - Secondary.
    3. Bills and Claims Against the District dated February 11, 2019.
    4. The Special Education Contracts with Columbus Community School District (student ID *7603 and *6079).
    5. Student Teaching Agreement with Drake University.
  7. The Auditor’s Report for FY18 and its agenda item (VIII. G.) to accept and place on file the audit for FY18 was tabled until the March 11, 2019 meeting due to the weather.
  8. Approved the proposed plans, specifications, proposed form of contract, and other estimated costs of said improvements for the MHS Science/STEM Project. 
  9. Approved the Muscatine Preschool Alliance Contract as presented. 
  10. Discussed a possible name change for West Middle School once CMS and WMS combine students. 
    1. It was the consensus of the board to move forward with this idea. 
  11. The financials for December 2018 were reviewed.
  12. The following upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. February 18, 2019: President’s Day Holiday, No School.
    2. February 25, 2019: Board Planning Meeting; 6 p.m.;  Administration Center
    3. March 11, 2019: Board Regular Meeting; 7 p.m.; City Hall
  13. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.