The Muscatine Community School District Board of Education consists of 7 board members who are elected to serve a 4-year term. They are instrumental in guiding the direction of the school district through the development of goals, bi-monthly public meetings as well as countless hours of research, communication with their constituents and other events or activities.
I have also wondered why people would spend money on campaign signs to run for a position on the school board, when it doesn't pay a dime, but then I though that perhaps maybe, just maybe, these people really do care about our and their children's education. You may disagree, but isn't that why we have elections to begin with, for us to choose the person or persons we deem are best qualified to fill the positions that are up for grabs? I guess if I was to just group all the candidates into the "ridiculous" category as some may do, I would not bother to vote.
The board hires the Superintendent. Also they wield the power to fire the Superintendent. Right? Sounds like the job of a boss to me.
To answer your final question, I would guess that the money comes from tuition, moneys raised at school events, grants and donations.
If I am incorrect in any of the above opinions, please accept my apologies, or feel free to insult me in some way as I have learned that is the modi operandi here.