MUSCATINE, Iowa — A Muscatine High School economics teacher is one of four finalists in a statewide program recognizing excellence in education.

Tom Williams, superintendent of the Muscatine Community School District, told the Board that MHS economics teacher Mike Fladlien is one of four finalists in the Excellence in Education Award Program.

Fladlien, 51, has been a teacher with the Muscatine Community School District for 29 years.

The statewide program spotlights educators who have made a significant impact on their students. It is co-sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, WHO Radio and KDSM Fox 17.

The Education Association accepted nominations, according to its Web site, from anyone who wanted an opportunity to thank a teacher.

“Mike Fladlien is one of our most excellent teachers,” said Williams.

Williams said staffers will accompany Fladlien to                  Des Moines Thursday night for the recognition ceremony.

“The reason I’m (nominated) is because I’m standing on the shoulders of giants,” said Fladlien, referring to his fellow teachers and administrators. “I believe every teacher at MHS deserves this award. We have the best District in Iowa.”

MHS Student Council

The Board heard a report from senior Johnnie Jindrich of the MHS Student Council.

Jindrich told the Board the annual Student Food Drive is  under way, and the Council has decided to donate half of the food it collects to the Muscatine Food Pantry. Jindrich said the Council donated 10 percent of the food to the pantry last year, with the remainder going to the Riverbend Food Bank.

The Student Food Drive is a regional activity in which students from various schools compete to see who can collect the most food for the Riverbend Food Bank in Moline, Ill. Food pantries in 22 surrounding counties can get food from that warehouse for 18 cents per pound, with the money going to help with storage and distribution costs, and then bring it back to their communities.

Board member Joyce Haller has said previously that she and other area residents didn’t believe it was fair to ask the local food pantry staff to spend the gas money and pay the price per pound for food that was collected locally.

This morning, student council adviser Pam Joslyn, an MHS science teacher, said she had heard from some local agencies that there was a concern about the fact that the price per pound of food increased from 14 cents to 18 cents per pound this year.

In addition, Joslyn said the Council considered the fact that the flood had impacted the local area over the summer, and they wanted to show their support for area residents.

The students will still donate the other half of the food to the regional food pantry and participate in the regional contests. Schools that collect the most food can win cash prizes for their schools.

Jindrich also reported on the MHS Homecoming week that took place Sept. 29-Oct. 4. The event was a success, said Jindrich, who was crowned Homecoming Queen. The Homecoming dance attracted more than 900 students and there were more than 20 entries in the annual parade.

Board member Tom Welk told the Board he has attended a  Student Council meeting and encouraged other Board members to attend.

“They have a room full of people, an ambitious agenda and they ask pretty pointed questions from what I saw,” said Welk.

The meetings are held at 7:20 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays.

The Board also

n Approved the District’s early retirement program for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

n Approved an increase in the price of adult meals from $1.15 to $1.45 for breakfast, and from $2.30 to $2.85 for lunch. Board member Clyde Evans said he had lunch at the West Middle School cafeteria and that the new price is still a bargain.

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatine