UNOFFICIAL MINUTES MUSCATINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING APRIL 9, 2012 The Board of Directors of the Muscatine Community School District, in the County of Muscatine, State of Iowa, met in regular session on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tim Bower called the meeting to order. Directors Tammi Drawbaugh, Brenda Garcia- Van Auken, Penny Jones, Nathan Mather, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Director Dennis Fox was present via conference phone due to being out- of- town on business. Also present were Superintendent Bill Decker, Director of Elementary Innovation and Instruction Shane Williams, Director of Secondary Innovation and Instruction Diane Campbell, Director of Human Resources Wes Fowler, Director of Finances Jean Garner, and Director of Special Programs Jan Collinson. Director of Operational Services Walter Crowder was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. President Bower welcomed visitors and media representatives. Muskie Celebration highlighted the high school girl s bowling and high school boy s swimming teams and state qualifying FFA students: Ashley Tomlin, Alec Osland, and Katie Friedrichs. No one spoke during the Citizens Speak portion of the meeting. Student Council School Board Representatives Alex Vogel and Emily Juszczyk updated the board on recent student council activities. Student council recently finished leadership week and is currently working on prom, a no texting and driving campaign, and will be holding elections for next year s student council. They thanked the board and the central office staff for letting them present at the board meetings. They noted that at the next school board meeting, the 2012-13 executive board of the student council will present the report. A motion was made by Director Drawbaugh and seconded by Director Wildermuth to approve the consent agenda to include: the minutes of the March 19, 2012 regular meeting and the minutes of the March 22, 2012 board work session, the bills and claims dated April 9, 2012, the cooperative sharing agreements between Muscatine Schools and L&M, Wilton, and Durant (L&M: Swimming & Diving, Soccer; Wilton: Boys & Girls Swimming, Tennis, and Soccer; Durant: Boys Swimming & Diving, Soccer), the resignation of Jessica Waller, the student teaching agreement with Luther College, and the Forensics field trip to the NFL- Nationals in Indianapolis, IN from June 9 16, 2012 as submitted by Anna Payne. All ayes; motion carried.
A motion was made by Director Mather and seconded by Director Jones to open the public hearing to certify the 2013 budget. Roll call: Ayes: Bower, Drawbaugh, Fox, Garcia- Van Auken, Jones, Mather, and Wildermuth. There were no nays. Motion carried. Director of Finance Jean Garner noted that there were no written or oral comments received. She reviewed the budget and proposed tax levy rate. A motion was made by Director Wildermuth and seconded by Director Jones to close the public hearing. Roll call: Ayes: Bower, Drawbaugh, Fox, Garcia- Van Auken, Jones, Mather, and Wildermuth. There were no nays. Motion carried. A motion was made by Director Wildermuth and seconded by Director Fox to approve the fiscal year 2013 budget of $66, 374,175 with a levy rate of $15.36328. Roll call: Ayes: Bower, Drawbaugh, Fox, Garcia- Van Auken, Jones, Mather, and Wildermuth. There were no nays. Motion carried. Superintendent Decker spoke regarding the future direction of the district. He shared a powerpoint slide that highlighted why he chose to stay in Muscatine, what he feels is needed for student success (multiple pathways and collaboration- everyone working together), and how there cannot be competition between programs, individuals, and groups. There must be cooperation. He also challenged the board, the community, and staff to ask what it is they are advocating for as opposed to what they are advocating against. He stressed that he is open to ideas and conversation from the board, community, and staff. President Bower suggested having an outside entity, such as IASB, come in and work with the board and administrative team on how it can make the district better and how it can grow as a board in order to face the challenges that are coming this way. Consensus of the board indicated that this was a good idea. President Bower stated that on April 23 rd at the high school in the evening is Mom s Night Out. This is a state- wide initiative that supports STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and introduces STEM job opportunities to children. This night is for families and all are encouraged to attend. He suggested that the board consider moving its meeting that night to an earlier time so that board members can attend as well. English Language Learner teachers, Linda Brecht- Kwirant and Norberto Ibarra, Jr., presented a powerpoint illustrating the ELL vision, its demographics, instruction/assessment practices, and strategies used for ELL learners.
Investing in Innovation grant recipients Kathy Adams and Sarah Manjoine reported on their specific grant received. Sarah Manjoine, kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary and one of her students, Makinley Hage, discussed the mimeo that she purchased with her grant money and highlighted some of the student s favorite ways to use it. Kathy Adams, high school special education teacher, and one of her students, Robert Mendee, talked about her grant which helped purchase video equipment so that students can make a meaningful film. The board viewed their draft movie entitled What Is Bullying? The students are hoping it can be shown on Channel One video so that everyone can view it and possibly have middle school students view it as well. Mulberry Elementary Principal Ann Goodman updated the board on Mulberry s demographics, student achievement goals, and progress towards meeting those goals. Robert Weaton, MHS Principal, and Corri Guy, MHS Assistant Principal, gave a report on the high school s emphasis on professional development for its staff. They noted that there are 14 study teams at the high school. Each team has developed a SMART goal. These teams will eventually lead into professional learning communities as they move into the 2012-13 school year. They also shared information on professional development taking place for block scheduling. The board heard a first reading on the following policies: 601.30 Virtual Online Courses with Administrative Procedures (new) 603.05 Alternate Measures for College Credit Options (new policy) The board heard a second reading on the following policies: 601.08 Summer School Instruction 601.10 Physical Education 601.14 Technology and Instructional Materials 601.16 Teaching Controversial Issus 601.20 Programs for Students At Risk 601.22 Preschool Programs 603.00 Student Assessment 703.01 Purchasing and Bidding 703.07 Bidding Procedures for Public Improvement Superintendent Decker reviewed the impact that the changes in at risk funding will have on the district s general fund budget and specifically, the SuccessMaker lab positions. He noted that these positions can no longer be funded from at risk monies. After many conversations with building administration, it was decided to keep the program but change how it is delivered. Two SuccessMaker para positions will be retained and paid through the general fund. Additional reading/math interventionists will be hired from at
risk funds which will improve services for at risk students. The program will then be re- evaluated for its effectiveness. Shane Williams, Director of Elementary Innovation and instruction, then updated the board on SuccessMaker staff development opportunities for teachers. Diane Campbell reported that Eastern Iowa Community College district is adjusting their Concurrent Enrollment Pricing Schedule for the 2012-13 school year. Because of the growth of concurrent enrollments and the additional classes being offered, the EICCD is losing money on every course that it offers. The district receives supplementary weighting for those students enrolled in concurrent classes. This funding can/should be used for paying the community college that offers the courses. In the past, the EICCD was not charging the district a fee for these courses. Director of Human Resources Wes Fowler reviewed his request to add an additional FTE to the Industrial Technology department at the high school. The district was able to repurpose a position so that adding this FTE will not increase the overall FTEs at the high school. A motion was made by Director Drawbaugh and seconded by Director Fox to approve the addition of 1.0 FTE Industrial Technology position. All ayes; motion carried. Director of Finance Jean Garner noted that the existing agreement for auditing services with Nolte, Cornman, & Johnson, P.C. expired at the conclusion of the fiscal year 2011 audit. Thus, the district will need to seek proposals for auditing services as it is required to have an audit completed annually. A motion was made by Director Mather and seconded by Director Garcia- Van Auken to approve seeking Requests for Proposal for Auditing Services for fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014 with an option to extend the services for future years. All ayes; motion carried. Director of Special Programs Jan Collinson updated the board on the Excellence in Education award winners. She thanked the readers and the final selection committee for their time and willingness to help with this important scholarship. The Excellence in Education program is funded by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. The program will be held on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 4 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel. All are invited to attend. Ms. Collinson then updated the board on the 21 st Century Learning Grant. A Letter of Intent has been submitted. The grant is due this Friday, April 13 th. The grant committee has met under the guidance of Diane Campbell and provided final directions for the grant writer. This grant will fund afterschool programs at three locations: Central, West,
and Flickinger Learning Center. Ms. Collinson also shared that she and several teachers attended a co- teaching conference in Ames and discovered that Muscatine is far ahead of this type of programming. This is something that everyone should be proud of. Director of Elementary Innovation and Instruction Shane Williams updated the board on the 1:1 technology planning and potential implementation. He and Technology Supervisor Scott Comstock have talked to almost all building staff and student groups at the high school to get their feedback. He shared a survey showing that an overwhelming majority of staff and the student groups are in favor of the 1:1 plan. He noted that the students brought an interesting perspective and had excellent questions. It was stressed that the money for the 1:1 initiative cannot be used for staff. The money for this would come from PPEL and state sales tax. The law specifically states that PPEL and sales tax monies cannot be used for salaries only for property, plant, and equipment. Superintendent Decker stated that any service group/club/organization that would like to hear more about this topic to please contact him. He would be very glad to meet with anyone. A motion was made by Director Drawbaugh and seconded by Director Garcia- Van Auken to approve seeking Requests for Proposal for the possible 1:1 Technology Implementation. All ayes; motion carried. Director of Secondary Innovation and Instruction Diane Campbell reviewed the Professional Learning Community information. Professional Learning Communities are increasingly recognized as the most powerful strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement. In June, building level administrators and building leadership teams will attend a summer conference on Professional Learning Communities and bring the concept back to the buildings next fall. President Bower reminded the public and the board of future meetings: April 23, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. is a planning and regular meeting at the Administration Center. The regular meeting will immediately follow the planning meeting. May 14, 2012 at 7 p.m. is a regular meeting at City Hall. A motion was made by Director Mather and seconded by Director Wildermuth to go into closed session per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(j) to discuss potential real estate purchase. Roll call: Ayes: Directors Bower, Drawbaugh, Fox, Garcia- Van Auken, Jones, Mather, and Wildermuth. There were no nays. Motion passed. Time: 10:40 p.m. A motion was made by Director Jones and seconded by Director Drawbaugh to return to open session. Roll call: Ayes: Directors Bower, Drawbaugh, Fox, Garcia-
Van Auken, Jones, Mather, and Wildermuth. There were no nays. Motion passed. Time: 10:51 p.m. A motion was made by Director Drawbaugh and seconded by Director Jones to adjourn the meeting. All ayes; motion carried. Time: 10:51 p.m. Tim Bower, President Lisa Mosier, Secretary