Recap from the Aug 28th, 2023 Meeting.
Meeting Run by: President- Megan Francis
Invocation: Erika Cox
Welcome to our guests: Tony Loconsole, Lisa Heckman
Welcome to our members participating in our meeting through Zoom: Barth Donald, Dawn Sturms Dodds, and Gretchen Nollman
Happy News/Announcements: All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Frank Iliff- Frank got new Bluetooth hearing aids. Karen Cooney- In honor of Clint’s presentation, Karen brought her Muskie M that she recently found for her 50-year reunion. Krane asks everyone to eat lunch or dinner at Applebee’s tomorrow, Tuesday, August 29th, to support the Friends of the Art Center. Rob Yant- Rob shared the adventures of his epic vacation. Sal LoBianco- Sal enjoyed a weekend of racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons car races over the weekend. Naomi DeWinter- Congratulations to Marc Hines for being named a QCBJ Forty Under 40 honoree.
Club News:
- Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
- ACH forms are available for easy payment of dues.
- Reminder that the next Mobile Food Pantry distribution is Tuesday, September 5th. Please volunteer if you are available. https://bit.ly/RiverBendFoodPantry
- Rotary will have a food tent at the last Almost Friday Event this summer on September 28th.
Presentation-
Clint Christopher- Superintendent Muscatine Community Schools
The school year is off to a great start, and a lot is happening in the year ahead. New building projects include updates to Grant, Madison, Susan Clark, and Jefferson, including Central Middle School. An expansion of the wrestling room at the High School will allow specific space for the growing girls’ wrestling program. The high school will add a softball field with turf, and improvements are set for the Brewner field. Both fields should be ready at the start of next season. Susan Clark will get an expanded PE area. Jefferson is ready for upgrades after the closing of Central Middle School. The gym and auditorium will remain. All these projects are made possible by leveraging the SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) dollars.
The year has its challenges, including funding/ budgeting and enrollment. COVID funds are ending this year, which will require the district to examine the budget and set priorities for funding. Enrollment stabilized this year after years of decline.
Upcoming Meetings- September 4th- Labor Day- No Meeting. September 11th- District Governor- Dennis Drager, September 18th- 4H Students Fair Experience, September 25th – Alzheimer’s Association.