Muscatine school board approves contracts, salary increases and levy resolution

The Muscatine Community School District board voted on several routine and budgetary items during its March 9 meeting.

Approved items included the consent agenda (minutes, bills, employment recommendations and selected special‑education tuition‑out contracts), a change order to Spin Turf LLC for $32,056 for the replacement practice turf project, the 2026–27 agreement with the Muscatine Education Association, and collective bargaining agreements for AFSCME units covering bus drivers, food and nutrition services, custodial/maintenance/mechanics, and secretarial/clerical/aide and paraeducator units.

The board also approved a resolution to levy property taxes for fiscal year 2026–27 under Iowa Code §257.14 for the regular program budget adjustment; finance staff explained the levy is commonly approved to preserve funding options depending on state supplemental aid. Finance staff additionally reported current outstanding fees of about $70,000 and that the district has recouped nearly $18,000 in fines and fees since contracting with the Municipal Collections Association of America.

Compensation actions approved included a 3% salary adjustment for classified professional employees for 2026–27 and a 2.8% salary adjustment for certified administrators and directors.

Several motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote; the transcript records aye votes and no recorded opposition in the meeting minutes. Where votes were taken, the meeting used voice roll calls rather than individual recorded tallies.

Key action items (summary):

- Spin Turf LLC change order: $32,056 — approved.
- Muscatine Education Association 2026–27 agreement — approved.
- Resolution to levy property taxes under Iowa Code §257.14 — approved.
- Collective bargaining AFSCME agreements (multiple units) — approved.
- Classified salary adjustment: 3% — approved.
- Certified administrators/directors salary adjustment: 2.8% — approved.

Next steps: finance staff said a second public hearing on the proposed property‑tax levy will occur April 13 and that staff will continue to monitor budgets and return with recommendations if amendments are needed.