The Rock Island Milan School District #41 Board of Education met Jan. 10 to approve the investment report.
Here are the meeting's minutes, as provided by the b
ROCK ISLAND-MILAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 41
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
January 10, 2017
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Rock Island-Milan School District was held
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 in the library at Rock Island High School. The meeting began with the
Pledge of Allegiance and was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Linda K. Dothard.
Roll Call
Members Present: Dr. James E. Bishop, Ms. Linda Dothard, Mr. Kevin Nolan, Mr. David
Rockwell, Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris, Mr. Earl L. Strupp, Jr., Mr. James E.
Veasey, student members Man Lun and Jada Veasey
Member Absent: Student members Donell Clark
Others Present: Dr. Michael Oberhaus, Mr. Robert Beckwith, Mr. Egan Colbrese, Ms.
Carmine Draude, Dr. Kathy Ruggeberg and Ms. Alicia Sanders
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Earl L. Strupp, Jr. and seconded by Mr. Dave Rockwell to approve
the minutes of the regular meeting of December 13, 2016 (including executive session minutes to
remain confidential). All members voting “Aye”, the President declared the motion carried.
Reports
Student Member
Man Lun reported on students being back to school and seniors taking the SATs with study
sessions during Rock time.
Voting Members
Board members reported on the following events and activities: visit to Rock Island High School;
Head Start Policy Council meetings; Iowa-Illinois girls’ basketball shootout at Augustana
College. The championship game between Rocky and Davenport North had a standing room
only crowd and we won!
Mr. Nolan had a meeting with RIHS principal Mr. Moore and discussed extending student
participation at extracurricular events by possibly having free admission for students. Ms.
Dothard and Mr. Rockwell both spoke about having free admission for students in the past and
recommended speaking with then-athletic director Bob Swanson to determine if it was a positive
outcome. Student members said they do not believe cost makes a difference; there is always a
good amount of students in attendance.
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Rock Island-Milan Board of Education Regular Meeting January 10, 2017
Superintendent
Dr. Oberhaus stated that the district is currently receiving applications for Athletic
Director/Head Football Coach - 31 athletic director applications, 12 football coach applicants,
and 27 applicants for a combined position. An interview committee is being coordinated who
will run all interviews simultaneously. He hopes to bring a recommendation in February. Dr.
Oberhaus provided a list of average GPAs for first semester for students in extracurricular
activities. These will be posted on our website as well. The committee to name a facility for
Duncan Reid will meet this Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the Administration Center. Rock Island
High School has 17 students named as state scholars and will be recognized at a future meeting.
Holly Sparkman shared a video featuring the newly adopted strategic plan and our new tagline
“This House ROCKS!” Updated letterhead has been created with the new logo. Board members
thanked the committee members who were in attendance.
Action on Routine Matters
Approval of Agenda
A motion was made by Mr. Dave Rockwell and seconded by Mr. Jim Veasey to approve the
agenda as presented. A voice vote was called showing all members voting "Aye." No "Nay" votes
being cast, the President Pro-Tempore declared the motion carried.
Blanket Motion
It was move by Mr. Dave Rockwell, seconded by Mr. Jim Veasey, and unanimously approved by
a roll call vote that the following items be approved as a blanket motion:
VI. B. That the Board of Education acknowledge the following donations:
Illinois State Council Knights of Columbus - $1,240.00 for classroom use for Early
Childhood Special Education Teachers at the Horace Mann Early Learning Center
John Koutsky (Cheryl Koutsky Memorial) - $1,246.30 for Thomas Jefferson Library
Mighty Fortress Church – Unknown Value - hats & gloves for students at Washington
Jr. High School
VI. C. That the Board of Education approve the Investment Report for Quarter Ended
September 30, 2016.
VI. D. That the Board of Education approve October 2016 Financial Statements.
VI. E. That the Board of Education authorize Bills for Payment dated December 15, 2016 in
the amount of $2,708,001.63 and December 30, 2016 in the amount of $4,080,183.18.
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Rock Island-Milan Board of Education Regular Meeting January 10, 2017
VII. A. That the Board of Education approve the following certified appointment:
Vanessa Redpath – Special Education Teacher/R.I.H.S./Salary $19,348.31
Date of Hire: 01/06/2017
VII. B. That the Board of Education approve the certified leave of absence for Terry Taylor,
Assistant Principal at Washington Jr. High School through June 30, 2017.
VII. D. That the Board of Education approve the following non-certified appointments:
Angela Guerrero – Special Education Para/Denkmann/Salary $10,095.80
Date of Hire: 11/28/2016
Ferdinand Baraka – ELL Para/RI Academy/Salary $9,086.22
Date of Hire: 12/13/2016
VII. E. That the Board of Education approve the termination of non-certified Employee No.
6-1-2002.
Operations – Board Policy Updates
Members of the Cabinet reviewed the updates to Board Policy PRESS Issue from October 2016.
The Board set the maximum reimbursement amount at $800.00 per day for Board members and
faculty members who travel. The policies will be presented for action at the January 24th meeting.
Operations – 2017-2018 School District Calendar
Dr. Oberhaus stated that the calendar being presented this evening has changed to hold make up
of emergency days during the first week of spring intersession rather than the second week as
proposed on December 13, 2016. Dr. Bishop stated that many families plan their vacations
during the first week of intersession and recommended to leave the calendar as is.
A motion was made by Dr. Jim Bishop and seconded by Mr. Kevin Nolan to approve the
2017-2018 District Calendar as amended with emergency days being placed during the second
week of spring intersession. A roll call vote was called showing the following members
voting "Aye": Dr. Jim Bishop, Ms. Linda Dothard, Mr. Kevin Nolan, Mr. Dave Rockwell, Dr.
Tiffany Stoner-Harris and Mr. Jim Veasey. Mr. Earl L. Strupp, Jr. voted "Nay". The President
declared the motion carried.
Operations – Girls Leading the Way Club Proposal for Rock Island High School
Rock Island High School student Asrielle Allen had a conflict so Board members agreed to place
the item on the January 24, 2017 agenda.
Operations – FOIA Request
The administration received the following Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request: Hannah
Okerberg (Athletico Physical Therapy) for the athletic trainer contract between the Rock
Island-Milan School District and Genesis Health Systems.
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Rock Island-Milan Board of Education Regular Meeting January 10, 2017
Business/Finance – Five-Year Financial Projections
Mr. Bob Beckwith presented the five-year financial projections.
A copy of the presentation is kept on file with the official minutes at the Administration Center.
Personnel – 2016-2017 Non-Certified Retirement
It was recommended that the Board of Education approve the following 2016-2017 non-certified
retirement:
Cecilia Ater – Building Supervisor/Eugene Field/20 Years of Service
A motion was made by Mr. Jim Veasey and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris to approve
the 2016-2017 non-certified retirement for Cecilia Ater as presented. A roll call vote was called
showing all members voting "Aye." No "Nay" votes being cast, the President declared the
motion carried.
Work Session
The Board of Education held a work session to study the uses and plans for the 1% Facility Sales
Tax.
Question 1: Can the district use reserves to pay back taxes?
This is an allowable expenditure
If there were expenses prior to when we start receiving the 1%, we can use funds to pay
back
Question 2: Should the district use accumulated reserves to pay off callable bonds?
Auditor said this is not allowed
You would have to abate the working tax to show which of the funds you are sending
that money to has the greatest need in the district
This fund does not have the greatest need.
Can’t use working cash fund balance to pay off current debt because the bond and
interest fund is not in the greatest need.
Discussion occurred around this concept and proposal. The way the question was posed,
the answer is no.
Question 3: Can the district accumulate proceeds from the 1% sales tax to pay off principle on
callable bonds?
This is allowed.
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Rock Island-Milan Board of Education Regular Meeting January 10, 2017
Question 4: Should the board establish a set bond and interest rate or a dollar amount to abate?
Documents were provided for clarification
Existing schedule provided on maturity
Scenario provided shows the EAV maintains a zero increase in these scenarios
Discussion on tax rate now and predicted rate
Can this prediction be modified? Yes
Can you synchronize this so the projections show what it really is suppose to
look like? Yes; what was given was worst case scenario
If we end up in a hard property tax freeze, do we have access to the growth
and assessed value from the bond and interest rates? Yes – but Bob will need
to investigate further.
History of getting these bonds shared.
Options discussed
Projection from a firm was to project the 2016 sales tax revenue to go up
Example: What if we took, for example, $5 million of operating reserves to call back
certain maturity of bonds to pay the principle off…..
Is there a dollar amount you want to impact…?
Example: use accumulated reserves to buy off….
Discussion occurred on obligations to tax payers to improve facilities
Discussion occurred on the need to address outstanding debt as well
What is the goal?
Information given tonight only, with the goal to narrow down options
What are the boundaries and comfort levels of the Board for
recommendations?
Discussion occurred:
10-20% of what we are getting to address deficit issues; 80-90% for
capital improvements
Move ahead with the 1% with capital improvements
Discussion about retiring old debt because it is greater than the
benefit to keep it in the bank; escalate our debt service to retire
some of it so we don’t have interest to pay overtime
This option – on the downside -- puts future Boards at risk
of needing to go out and borrow
Do we want to move forward this summer with projects and then
pay ourselves back?
What are our standard payment terms for general contractors? Is
there a way to drag out the payment term? Discussion occurred on
the pros and cons of this.
Direction given to go back and provide additional information in
Summer project recommendations next meeting
Additional scenarios in February
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Rock Island-Milan Board of Education Regular Meeting January 10, 2017
Adjournment
A motion was made by Mr. Dave Rockwell and seconded by Mr. Jim Veasey to adjourn the
meeting. All members voting “Aye”, the President Pro-Tempore declared the meeting
adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Ms. Linda Dothard, President Mr. Robert Beckwith, Clerk
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