Tuesday, March 12, 2019

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

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, March 11, 2019, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors John Dabeet, Nathan Mather, Randy Naber were present. Director Aaron Finn was present via conference phone. Directors Toby McCarter 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. Citizens Speak: Daphne Donald, 1559 Washington Street, and Becky Eserhaut, 16219 H. Avenue, invited everyone to participate in Race for the Schools on May 4, 2019, either by walking, running, or volunteering
  4. Muscatine High School student council representatives provided an update of recent and upcoming student council activities.
  5. Muscatine Schools Outstanding Employees for February and March were recognized: Randy Gerdts, Steve Eggers, Jamie Hein, Virgil Bierman, Dylan King, Ed Mineart, Isaac James, Todd Hyink, Steve Preston, and Les Hunter. 
  6. Board Goals/Targets:
    1. Discussed the proposed curriculum audit.
    2. The proposed middle school naming process was shared. 
    3. District demographic data was reviewed.
    4. District attendance data was reviewed by building and by grade level.
    5. Joelle McConnaha, principal of McKinley Elementary, and Stephanie Zillig, principal of Madison Elementary, presented data regarding their building’s attendance, demographics, and FAST reading data, and school improvement efforts.
  7. The consent agenda was approved:
    1. The minutes of February 11, 2019, Regular Meeting, February 11, 2019, Special Meeting, and the February 25, 2019, Planning Meeting.
    2. Employment Recommendations:
      1. Resignations - Certified Staff: Monica Connor - Instructional Coach at Franklin Elementary, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year; Theresa White, McKinley Counselor, effective at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
      2. New Hires - Schedule C: Brendan Nagle, MS Boys Basketball, WMS.
      3. Resignations - Schedule C: Shawn Larson-Walgren, ELA Department Chair, CMS.
      4. New Hires - Administrators: Stacy Olson, Mulberry Elementary Principal.
    3. Bills and Claims Against the District dated March 11, 2019.
    4. The Special Education Contracts with Wilton Community School District and Iowa City Community School District.
    5. Student Teaching Agreements with University of Northern Iowa and Luther College.
  8. Mia Frommelt of Bohnsack and Frommelt LLP presented the Auditor’s Report for FY18.
  9. Approved the acceptance and to place on file the audit for FY 18.
  10. Approved the budget guarantee resolution for 2019-2020. 
  11. Approved setting a public hearing or the Purpose of Certifying the 2019-20 Budget for 7 p.m. on April 8, 2019, at City Hall in Council Chambers, 215 Sycamore Street, Muscatine, Iowa. 
  12. Approved awarding the contract to Frye Builders & Associates, Inc. for the McKinley Elementary Project in the amount of $3,724,800 with a proposed substantial completion date of February 1, 2020. 
  13. Approved setting a public hearing for the Madison Elementary Parking Lot/Student Drop-off Reconfiguration Project for April 8, 2019, at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers.
  14. The following upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. March 11-14, 2019, Parent-Teacher Conferences
    2. March 14, 2019, 2-Hour Early Dismissal
    3. March 15, 2019, No School/Conference Comp Day
    4. March 18-22, 2019, Spring Break
    5. April 8, 2019, School Board Regular Meeting; 7 p.m.; City Hall
    6. May 4, 2019, Race for the Schools
  15. The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.