Rock Island Milan School District #41 Board of Education met May 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Rock Island-Milan School District was held Tuesday, May 22, 2018 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 Dothard.
Roll Call:
Members: Ms. Marji Boeye, Ms. Linda Dothard, Mr. Kevin Nolan, Mr. David Rockwell, Mr. Gary Rowe, Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris and Mr. Terell Williams, and student members Kieran Benson, Morgan Harty and Jada Veasey
Others Present: Dr. Michael Oberhaus, Mr. Robert Beckwith, Mr. Troy Bevans, Mr. Egan Colbrese, Ms. Ramona Dixon and Dr. Kathy Ruggeberg
Approval of Minutes:
A motion was made by Mr. Dave Rockwell and seconded by Ms. Marji Boeye to approve the regular meeting minutes of May 8, 2018, including executive session minutes I and II as presented. All members voting “Aye”, the President declared the motion carried.
Special Item – Student Board Members:
Board members recognized the service of student Board members Kieran Benson, Morgan and Jada Veasey during the 2017-18 school year.
Reports:
• Student Members
Student members thanked the Board for having them as student members. They all learned a lot at the meetings over the year. Jada and Kieran will graduate but Morgan hopes to return next year.
• Voting Members
Board members reported on the following events and activities: Austin Academic Achievement Awards and Scholarship Night sponsored by the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation; the Rock Island High School website not listing teacher email addresses (Troy Bevans to correct this issue); Medal of Honor banquet; girls’ track meet where the team took second place at the sectional tournament and had a good showing at State; AVID celebration at Washington Jr. High School; Head Start Policy Council meeting; BHASED meeting; congratulations to two student board members Morgan and Jada who received scholarships; “This is Your Life” honoring RIHS counselor Jennifer Page Pearson; Tia Rice Edwards will be honored at the NAACP banquet; and Tiffany and Dave met to follow up on cultural competence and felt it was very beneficial.
• Superintendent
Dr. Oberhaus reported that the Illinois Legislative session is scheduled to conclude on May 31st. It is reported that the House Leadership, Senate Leadership and Governor's Office have been meeting to discuss the budget. Now would be a great time to write or call our State elected officials to encourage timely passage of the budget with the commitment to fund education at the level approved last year in the Evidenced-Based Funding Model law.
The AVID program went through the annual certification process. All three programs were in compliance with all requirements. The assigned AVID program manager highlighted that Edison evidenced more collaboration among the teachers and team members. Washington evidenced deep implementation. It has been invited to begin the process of becoming a demonstration school for the AVID program. The High School has displayed resilience during the multiple transitions and will be graduating the first set of AVID students this June.
With recent school shootings and attacks, the High School team is reviewing its current policy to determine if additional steps should be taken to enhance security in the school. One item in process is to secure the front entry by installing a buzzer system which is in use in all other schools. Once the buzzer system is installed, the front entry doors to the school will be locked. Visitors will need to buzz to gain admittance to the school. Another area under review is the backpack policy for students. Currently, students may carry their backpacks during the day, except during lunch. There may be changes forthcoming for the 2018-19 school year.
We had many year-end student recognitions and celebrations occurred over the past two weeks. These student celebrations highlight the great things going on in the school district. The entrepreneurship class public pitch night is Thursday, May 24th at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
The annual retirement tea is scheduled for Wednesday. May 30th, in the High School Library, starting at 4:00 p.m. Finally, graduation is scheduled for Saturday. June 2nd at the Taxslayer Center at 12:00 p.m. Thursday,
Moment of Silence:
Board members held a moment of silence in recognition of the students killed and injured in a recent school shooting in Texas.
Action on Routine Matters:
• Approval of Agenda
A motion was made by Mr. Dave Rockwell and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris to approve the agenda as presented. All members voting “Aye”, the President declared the motion carried.
• Nomination of Future Agenda items
1. Board member training with outside facilitator on having difficult conversations
2. Board training on EngageNY and Eureka Math
• Blanket Motion
It was moved by Mr. Dave Rockwell, seconded by Mr. Terell Williams and unanimously carried by a roll call vote that the following items be approved as a blanket motion:
VI. B. That the Board of Education approve the overnight field trip requests for Rock Island High School’s Choir, Band, and Orchestra students to travel to New York City, New York March 10-16, 2019 and the Rock Island High School Volleyball team to travel to Normal, Illinois July 1-10, 2018.
VII. B. That the Board of Education approve the May Fund Raiser requests.
VIII. B.3. That the Board of Education approve the contract for services with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Rock Island, IL, in the amount not to exceed $80,680.00 to provide out of school time programming beginning June of 2018 and throughout the 2018-19 school year.
VIII. D. That the Board of Education authorize Bills for Payment dated May 1, 2018 in the amount of $721.50, May 2, 2018 in the amount of $33,053.63 and May 15, 2018 in the amount of $2,608,242.12.
IX. A. That the Board of Education approve the following 2017-18 certified appointments:
Olivet Jagusah - Substitute Teacher/District/Salary $90-$110/day (varies)
Quinton Pedroza - Substitute Teacher/District/Salary $90-$110/day (varies)
IX. B. That the Board of Education approve the following 2018-19 certified appointments:
Kelli Fletcher – School Psychologist/District/Salary $68,913.00
Elizabeth Kongkousonh – EL/Bilingual Teacher/Eugene Field/Salary $59,730.00
IX. C. That the Board of Education approve the rehiring of the following certified staff:
Stephanie Davis – Math Teacher/RIHS/Salary $50,789.00
Patrick Noya - EL/Bilingual Teacher/RIHS/Salary $41,985.00
IX. E. That the Board of Education approve the following non-certified appointments:
Bodie Amerson – Food Service/RICMS/Salary $11.10/hour
Ruth Trammell – Food Service/District/Salary $11.10/hour
Robin Dennison – Food Service/RI Academy/Salary $11.10/hour
Maria Acosta – Food Service/EJHS/Salary $11.10/hour
Solange Nyirasafari – Interpreter/District/Salary $17.50/hour
Sofia Wajner – AVID Tutor/RIHS/Salary $13.00/hour
Matt Johnson – Food Truck Driver/Custodian/RIHS/Salary $27,551
Dominique Nunn - Special Education Para./Earl Hanson/Salary $15.34/hour
IX. G. That the Board of Education approve the non-renewal of non-certified staff member Dominique Nunn.
Personnel – Certified Resignations:
It was recommended that the Board of Education accept the following certified resignation:
Staff Member; Current Position; Number Continuous Years of Service:
Aubry Moorman; Elementary Teacher / Thomas Jefferson ;5
Ashley Almquist; Music Teacher / RICMS; 2
A motion was made by Mr. Kevin Nolan and seconded by Mr. David Rockwell to accept the certified resignations of Aubry Moorman and Ashley Almquist as presented. A voice vote was called showing all members voting “Aye”. No “Nay” votes being cast, the President declared the motion carried.
Personnel – Non-Certified Resignations:
It was recommended that the Board of Education accept the following non-certified resignation:
Staff Member; Current Position; Number Continuous Years of Service:
Barbara Braun ;AVID Tutor/WJHS; <1
Bodie Amerson; Food Service/RICMS; <1
A motion was made by Mr. Gary Rowe and seconded by Mr. Terell Williams to accept the certified resignations of Barbara Braun and Bodie Amerson as presented. A voice vote was called showing all members voting “Aye”. No “Nay” votes being cast, the President declared the motion carried.
Education – English Learners Program Update:
La’Shanta Williams provided an update on the English Learners program. A copy of the presentation is kept on file with the official minutes at the Administration Center.
Operations – 2018-19 Code of Conduct:
Kathy Ruggeberg presented information on the 2018-19 Code of Conduct. Board members will provide their feedback to Kim Colson who will compile the comments and give to Alicia Sanders before approval on June 12, 2018.
Business/Finance – Prevailing Wage Act Resolution:
A motion was made by Mr. David Rockwell and seconded by Mr. Gary Rowe to adopt the Prevailing Wage Act Resolution for the 2018-19 school year. A roll call vote was called showing the following members voting “Aye”: Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris, Mr. David Rockwell, Mr. Gary Rowe, Mr. Terell Williams, and Ms. Linda Dothard. Ms. Marji Boeye and Mr. Kevin Nolan voted “Nay”. The President declared the motion carried.
Business/Finance – Contracts for Services:
• Lexia Learning Systems LLC
A motion was made by Mr. David Rockwell and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris to approve a software license agreement with Lexia Learning Systems LLC, Concord, MA in the amount of $107,500.00 for licenses at all elementary and junior high schools. Title funds will be used for this purchase. A roll call vote was called showing the following members voting “Aye”: Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris, Mr. Marji Boeye, Mr. Gary Rowe, Mr. David Rockwell, and Mr. Kevin Nolan. Mr. Terell Williams and Ms. Linda Dothard voted “Nay”. The President declared the motion carried.
• Spring Forward Learning Center
A motion was made by Mr. David Rockwell and seconded by Mr. Gary Rowe to approve the contract for services with Spring Forward Learning Center, Rock Island, IL in the amount not to exceed $108,320.00 to provide out of school time programming beginning June of 2018 and throughout the 2018-19 school year. A roll call vote was called showing all members voting “Aye”. No “Nay” votes being cast, the President declared the motion carried.
Business/Finance – List of Donations:
It was recommended that the Board of Education acknowledge the following donation:
Sunday Night Basketball League - $1,277.00 to Washington Jr. High School
A motion was made by Ms. Marji Boeye and seconded by Mr. David Rockwell to acknowledge the List of Donations as presented. All members voting “Aye”, the President declared the motion carried.
Executive Session:
A motion was made by Mr. Kevin Nolan and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris to move to executive session to discuss negotiations and personnel. All member present voting “Aye”, the President declared the meeting in executive session at 8:26 p.m.
Open Session:
A motion was made by Mr. Kevin Nolan and seconded ty Mr. Gary Rowe to return to open session. All member present voting “Aye”, the President declared the meeting in open session at 10:30 p.m.
Adjournment:
A motion was made by Mr. Kevin Nolan and seconded by Dr. Tiffany Stoner-Harris to adjourn the meeting. All members voting “Aye”, the President declared the meeting adjourned at 10:31 p.m.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F175qpfoTSpf1sYMNyeyb52mUR3uLM-e/view
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