Board Summary July 28
The Board of Education welcomed Bob McGarry as the new Assistant Principal of the Intermediate Academy at the first meeting of the 2009-2010 school year. Mr. McGarry has been in education for 38 years, last serving as the Principal at Jefferson Edison Schools, Davenport, IA.
Board Member Updates
Board Members Bill Cleaver and Earl Strupp met 13 new teachers at the New Teacher Orientation earlier in the day. Both were impressed with the group and wished them well in their teaching careers. Linda Dothard attended the Illinois Liquid Asset Fund annual meeting. The fund has stayed solid through the last year and the outlook is favorable. Dr. Jim Bishop spent a day in July with the Christina’s Smile program, a not-for-profit dental service that travels the country with the PGA tour. Dr. Bishop said it was a good experience and the program saw 120 students over the course of three days. Jim Veasey attended the Head Start Policy Council meeting earlier in July.
Superintendent Update
Superintendent Loy commended the volunteers in the school district who made the Christina’s Smile program a success. The district received a grant for Lights on for Learning, totaling $700,000 for after school programs at Primary and Intermediate Academy, Washington Jr. High, Edison Jr. High and Rock Island High School.
The school district partnered with the Rock Island Park and Rec for a pilot Learn to Swim program that was offered to school age children in July. The partnership will probably expand to reach more children in the fall. Initial scores for the PSAE are in for the high school with favorable results: the reading score made a significant leap of 8 points. Math went up a half a point. Formal results will be released in February 2010.
Last week was registration and the numbers look solid. Longfellow has increased by 250 students and Eugene Field looks like it will reach its anticipated enrollment of 350. The new Rock Island Center for Math & Science are closing in on their maximum enrollment and there are 2 final days in the week for schools to even out their numbers before the first day of school on August 3.
Communications from Citizens
Two Rock Island High School students, Dylan Bibbs and India Howlett, addressed the board about their opposition to the new ban on purses in the classroom. Both felt that it was inconvenient to go to lockers between class times for personal items and asked the board to reconsider the policy. The board thanked the students for their willingness to come and speak at the meeting and that their comments are acknowledged.
Athletic Tickets & Advertising Proposal
Athletic Director Bob Swanson presented information to the board. In preparing for this year’s budget the Athletic Department was required to cut 4% across the board and 10% off of the athletic stipends. The total reduction amounted to $73,351.00. While some areas of the budget are flexible, such as equipment, repairs and travel expenses, other areas, such as coaches stipends, are not as forgiving. A cut made to a coach would sacrifice the entire team. In the past, students, staff & guests have not paid admission fees and there has not been any admission charges for events such as freshman games, JV meets and other non-varsity events. Making up some of the budget cuts by beginning to charge admission for events is a solution that should create a hardship on the larger community.
The Scoretable advertising board will also be another opportunity for source of income for the athletic department. Two scoreboards will be installed: one in the Fieldhouse and one in the Stadium. The district does not have any financial obligation and the district can also approve the ads. The board voted to approve the proposal.
High School Handbook Revision
Assistant Superintendent Kay Ingham recapped the Discipline Code committee procedures from last spring. A team of parents, teachers and administrators reviewed the code and made recommendations to the board regarding the classroom purse issue. Board member Linda Dothard opposed the ban on purses in the classroom and would like the policy reviewed as it seems to be a cell phone issue. Ms. Ingham indicated that adjacent school districts have a similar policy on banning purses in the classroom, however “It is clear that students have concerns and it will be an ongoing dialog,” said Kay Ingham.
Building Excellence
Rock Island School District Construction Manager Ben Hott gave an update of the Building Excellence plan construction >>
Associate Superintendent Mike Oberhaus said there were $28.5 million out in contracts. Bids for Earl Hanson, Edison Jr. High and Washington Jr. High are expected sometime in the fall. Three projects have exceeded budgets: Academy, Longfellow and the Center for Math & Science.
Other Items:
- The board approved a contract for playground equipment at the Primary Academy.
- Associate Superintendent Mike Oberhaus presented the 2009-2010 budget. A public hearing will be held on September 8. View budget >>
- Cabinet members presented updated figures on the School District’s Scorecard. Student attendance rose to 94% due to some new procedure implementations last year, and the district continues to receive a favorable financial score from the State of Illinois. View the Scorecard >>
- The board approved the purchase of the rest of the new Math Trailblazers material.
- The board approved the revisions to policies 5:35 “Compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act” and 5:185 “Family and Medical Leave.”