Muscatine board certifies FY26 budget, approves labor deals and hires director of student services
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Summary
The board certified a $87,039,673 FY26 budget with a $13.92138 levy rate, approved collective bargaining agreements with teacher and support unions, confirmed pay adjustments, and approved health and dental plan rates; the consent agenda included appointment of Jen Fridley as director of student services.
The Muscatine Community School District Board of Education certified the district’s fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a package of labor agreements and administrative appointments at its April 14 meeting.
The board certified a budget of $87,039,673 and a tax levy rate of $13.92138. Superintendent Clint noted that state action could allow the district to lower the levy later: "Remember, what you're approving tonight, we can lower as we need. So it can't go any higher than what you approved tonight," he said.
The board also approved collective bargaining agreements and salary adjustments that set pay and staffing expectations for the coming year. Actions taken in the meeting included approval of the Muscatine Education Association contract for 2025–26, collective‑bargaining agreements with Local 1560 Council of AFSCME covering bus drivers, food and nutrition staff and custodial/maintenance mechanics, a 2.6 percent salary adjustment for classified/professional employees, and a 2 percent adjustment for certified administrators and directors. The consent agenda included hiring Jen Fridley as the district’s director of student services.
On benefits, the board approved health and dental insurance rates and plan changes for 2025–26 recommended by the district’s insurance committee. The district will move the high‑deductible health plan to the current IRS maximum and maintain a stop‑loss deductible at $100,000. The committee reported the fund is running a projected deficit of roughly $600,000 (the district had budgeted a planned underfunding of about $400,000) but said self‑insurance continues to be less expensive than full insurance.
Other routine items approved or accepted included a collection services agreement with Municipal Collections of America, approval of resource navigator and special education contracts, an agreement with Morningside University, and the district’s monthly financial reports. The district’s financial team reported receipt of the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for FY24 from the Association of School Business Officials International.
Votes at a glance
- Opened public hearing on the FY26 proposed budget: motion and second; roll‑call ayes recorded for Director Conard, Cooney, DeBede, Phillips, Schneider and Short; public hearing opened.
- Closed public hearing on the FY26 proposed budget: motion and second; approved by roll call.
- Certified FY26 budget: $87,039,673; levy 13.92138 — approved (voice vote).
- Consent agenda (minutes; employment recommendations including appointment of Jen Fridley as director of student services; bills and claims; policies; interfund transfer; resource navigator agreements; Morningside University agreement; special education contracts; Latinx program agreement) — approved (voice vote).
- Collection services agreement with Municipal Collections of America — approved (voice vote).
- 2025–26 Muscatine Education Association (MEA) agreement — approved (voice vote).
- Collective bargaining agreements with Local 1560 Council of AFSCME (bus drivers, food & nutrition, custodial/maintenance mechanics) — approved (voice vote).
- Salary adjustment 2025–26: 2.6% for classified/professional employees — approved.
- Salary adjustment 2025–26: 2% for certified administrators and directors — approved.
- Health and dental rates and plan changes for 2025–26 (insurance committee recommendation): HDHP deductible aligned to IRS limit (single $3,300; family $6,600 reported as plan design target), stop‑loss maintained at $100,000, small dental increase — approved.
Board members discussed state funding levels and noted the state’s current supplemental state aid (SSA) authorization at about 2 percent; administration cautioned one‑time and ongoing state actions remain subject to final legislative and appropriation processes. The superintendent also summarized updated graduation‑rate figures showing district progress over multiple years.
No board motions failed; items on the consent agenda and the slate of agreements passed by affirmative vote or voice vote as recorded in the meeting minutes.