UNOFFICIAL MINUTES MUSCATINE SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION JANUARY 28, 2014
The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District, in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa, met in work session on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the Administration Center. Vice President Randy Naber called the meeting to order. Directors Tammi Drawbaugh, Brenda Garcia-‐Van Auken (arrived at 6:05 p.m.), Tom Johanns, Nathan Mather (arrived at 6:15 p.m.), and Mary Wildermuth were present. Director Tim Bower was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe and Director of Finance Jean Garner. Superintendent Riibe shared with the board four areas that he and the district directors identified when trying to define and identify excellence in our school district. He noted that having this core standard: striving for excellence to become the best school district in Iowa, could help drive the district in this pursuit. The four areas include: 1. Improving student achievement. He noted that data shows that growth is needed in this area. 2. Improve the financial stability of the district. Discussion centered on the district’s financial state and financial solvency percentage the district should strive for. 3. Manage major capital projects and maintain district facilities. Superintendent Riibe noted that there are several major projects, Jefferson Elementary and the continuation of the high school projects, as well as the results of the facilities study that will require a plan of completion. 4. Increase community and parent engagement. It was noted that the district needs to continue to capitalize on this support. Superintendent Riibe discussed how these four areas could drive where the board takes the district. He also shared how the four areas are intertwined. It was the consensus of the board that the four areas can serve as the district’s goals. This will be voted on during the regular meeting. Meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. Nathan Mather, President Lisa Mosier, Secretary
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UNOFFICIAL MINUTES MUSCATINE SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 28, 2014
The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District, in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall. President Nathan Mather called the meeting to order. Directors Tim Bower, Tammi Drawbaugh, Brenda Garcia-‐Van Auken, Tom Johanns, Randy Naber, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe and Director of Finance Jean Garner. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. President Mather welcomed visitors and media representatives. No one spoke during Citizens Speak. A motion was made by Director Naber and seconded by Director Garcia-‐Van Auken to approve the consent agenda to include the following: the minutes of the January 13, 2014 regular meeting, the bills and claims dated January 28, 2014, the personnel recommendations as follows: the schedule C resignations of Dennis Schuur, Girls Head Softball Coach, and Nikolet Sand, Spirit Coordinator, and the following field trips: MHS German students to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein on June 12-‐15, 2014 and MHS students to STEM Education in England and Switzerland on June 20-‐July 1, 2015. All ayes; motion carried. Superintendent Riibe provided an overview of the four goals that the board discussed at its work session prior to this meeting. He noted that once the board approves the goals, the administration team will develop objectives and action plans for each goal for board review and approval. A motion was made by Director Johanns and seconded by Director Wildermuth to approve the following board goals and core standard: Core Standard: Striving for Excellence to become the Best School District in Iowa Goals: 1) Improve Student Achievement, 2) Improve the Financial Stability of MCSD, 3) Manage Capital Projects and Maintain District Facilities, and 4) Increase Community and Parent Engagement. All ayes; motion carried.
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Director of Elementary Innovation and Instruction Shane Williams and Director of Human Resources Wes Fowler provided an overview of the Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) grant of which the board received a draft copy last Friday. TLC Design Team representatives Tammy Ales, Jamie Caffrey, Pam Joslyn, and Andrea Stewart presented a powerpoint highlighting the design process. A motion was made by Director Bower and seconded by Director Johanns to approve the Teacher Leadership Compensation grant document. All ayes; motion carried. The board held a first reading on policies: 202.03 Vice President of the Board, 202.02 President of the Board, 201.08 Board Vacancies, and 501.01 Homeless Children and Youth. Directors Bower and Wildermuth shared that they felt the additional wording to policy 202.02 President of the Board should not be part of the President’s role. President Mather noted that there is nothing in policy that states how appointments to other boards are made and that the first reading is a point of discussion. Superintendent Riibe noted that any position that a board member is officially representing the Muscatine School Board should be approved by the board; otherwise, if board members are asked to sit on committees representing their self, it does not need board sanction. Consensus of the board was to have Superintendent Riibe talk to legal counsel to see where in board policy should a statement be inserted recognizing that appointments to other boards will be voted on when the appointment represents the school board. Director Bower suggested that the appointment to the County Conference Board be added to the next meeting’s agenda. Jessi Freers, preschool coordinator, along with preschool teachers Lynn Hines and Emily Wolfe, and begindergarten teacher Lindsey Dindinger provided a powerpoint presentation highlighting the Muscatine Preschool Alliance. They also shared information on the guidelines that must be followed in order to receive state funding, the accreditation process, and preschool data. Director of Finance Jean Garner, Food Service and Custodial Supervisor Alisha Eggers, and district dietician Cindy Rada provided an update on the district’s food service program. They provided trendline data on meals served for breakfast and lunch, financial information, and strategies being implemented to try to increase participation.
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Mrs. Eggers explained that since the Healthy Kids Act has been enacted, meal participation has decreased considerably. Director of Secondary Innovation and Instruction Diane Campbell and ESL teachers Linda Brecht-‐Kwirant, Norberto Ibarra, Jr., and Olga Johnson provided a presentation on the English Language Learner program. They reviewed services provided, the current numbers of students served, the annual measurable outcomes and goals, and the corrective action plan that was written to help provide services to our students. President Mather announced the following meeting dates and other information: February 10, 2014 -‐ School Board Regular Meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall. February 11, 2014 -‐ Anti-‐bullying Guest Speaker Jodee Blanco will speak to parents and the community beginning at 6 p.m. at MHS Auditorium. February 14, 2014 – Booster Club’s Annual Cake Auction at the Varsity Basketball Game. February 17, 2014 – President Day – No School for students and staff. February 20, 2014 – Work Session, Planning Meeting, & Regular Meeting at the Administration Center, times to be announced. February 25, 2014 – IASB District Meeting in Fairfield, Iowa. February 26, 2014 – 2-‐hour early dismissal for students for teacher professional development. President Mather also announced that the board will be going into an exempt session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss negotiation strategy. A motion was made by Director Wildermuth and seconded by Director Naber to adjourn the meeting. Time: 9:01 p.m. Nathan Mather, President Lisa Mosier, Secretary
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