Board of Education

The Board of Education unanimously named Dr. Mike Oberhaus as superintendent of the Rock Island-Milan School District after Rick Loy retires June 2010. Read the story >>

Report from the Superintendent
Superintendent Loy congratulated four Rock Island High School who were named All State musicians: Francesca Byczynski (Bassoon), Jasmine Crider (Flute), Anna Pienta (Trumpet) and Derek Ross (Alto Saxophone). There is a schedule of individual school Winter Programs at rockislandschools.org/rinews, please take the time to attend and enjoy the musical presentations. The board is invited to attend Renaissance Rock Island’s Hard Hat celebration on Dec. 9. The annual awards program honors City of RI businesses each year. Mr. Loy also shared information about President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s charge for the Race to the Top challenge funds. School districts must sign a Memorandum Of Understanding by the first week of January in order to be eligible for the funds. The funds could mean $100,000’s for our district to assist in increasing student achievement success. More details will be distributed in the next week.

Reports from Board Members
Board member Linda Dothard attended 50th celebration of the Rock Island Fieldhouse last Friday; she complimented committee who coordinated the event and was impressed with the turnout of past alumni at the re-dedication ceremony. Student member Kelly Bishop agreed and was also pleased to see so many RIHS students at the celebration event.

Citizens Addressing the Board of Education
Two parents addressed the board about the knife incident a week ago at Rock Island High School. Their concerns centered around safety measures used at the school and the lack of a metal detector at the entrance. Both feel that installing metal detectors will increase the safety of students at Rock Island High School. Parental notification regarding the incident was lacking vital information and parents should be guaranteed that students are safe at Rock Island High School.

Rock Island High School Math Course
The board approved the addition of a new math class, Applied Mathematics, with textbooks to Rock Island High School course offerings. Rock Island High School Math Teacher Michelle Lillis stated that the new math course was developed based on new mandates by the State of Illinois requiring all students to take three years of math. The new course will cover two semesters and would fill in a need for those who require more preparation for the PSAE and/or seniors who want an extra year of math.

RIHS School Improvement Plan
The Rock Island High School Improvement Plan presented by Principal Robert Mason and Associate Principal set PSAE goals for 2008-09 year at the NCLB mandated 70% meets/exceeds for both reading and math. The school did not reach those goals, however saw a gain in reading scores of 8% and a gain of 1% in math over the previous year. The 2009-2010 NCLP mandated goal is 77.5%

Associate Principal Georgia Kouris addressed the action plan for the school. All RIHS participate in two teams to address improvement at the high school: culture & climate team and data team. Strategies developed, such as building a core curriculum, instructional strategies, improved teaching models and gathering student feedback activities will help measure learning on an ongoing basis and pave the way for improvement. The school is also focusing on professional development to strengthen teaching techniques in order for students to reap the most benefit from the material they are learning.

Principal Mason feels that it is imperative to build good relationships with students as it has a direct outcome to their learning potential. The high school teams address that issue on staff development days and share experiences with each other.

District Improvement Plan
Assistant Superintendent Bill Osbourne gave the board a snapshot view of the School District Improvement Plan. The goals of the district revolve around the federal NCLB mandate. As the district is in corrective status from not meeting AYP goals, establishing a core curriculum and aligning the curriculum across the district is a priority. Action Plans were also developed for student support, personnel, parents and community to address those areas of concern that directly reflect upon the achievement scores of the district. Assessment of those areas is provided by the District Scorecard data that is continually monitored and updated.

Other items

• The board approved 2010-11 Calendars for the District and Secondary Schools/SKIP.
• Board of Education awarded a contract to Construction Partners, Inc. of Rock Island for remodeling the counseling suite at Rock Island High School.

ROCK ISLAND-MILAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 41
Board of Education Regular meeting
Rock Island High School Library
TUESDAY, December 8, 2009 5:15 P.M.

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I. Preliminary (1)
Call to Order and Roll Call

II. Executive Session
It is recommended that the Board of Education move to Executive Session to
discuss the employment of a specific employee.

III. Preliminary (2) – 6:00 P.M.

A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Approval of Board of Education Minutes . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the executive session minutes of November 10, 2009 as presented and that they be kept on file as confidential, and regular meeting minutes of November 24, 2009 as presented.

IV. Communications
Citizens Wishing to Address the Board of EducationItems on the agenda will be addressed at the appropriate time during the meeting. Items not on the agenda will be heard at this time. Comments should be limited to three (3) minutes. Matters regarding specific employees or students are of a confidential nature and will not be heard in open session.

V. Reports

A. Reports from Board Members
~ Voting Members
~ Student Members
B. Report from Superintendent
C. Report from RIEA Representative

VI. Nomination of Agenda Items for Future Meetings of the Board

VII. Action on Routine Matters

A. Act on Agenda Additions and/or Deletions
B. Approve Agenda
C. Blanket Motion
Opportunity will be given for the selection of items that need no discussion to be approved at the appropriate time on the agenda. The following items are recommended for the Blanket Motion:
IX. A. SRO Agreement   X. B. RIIA Accounts
IX. B. Revised Policies   X. C. List of Donations
IX. C. 2010-2011 Calendars   X. D. Bills for Payment
IX. D. December Fund Raisers   XI. A-B. Personnel
X. A. R.I.H.S. Counseling Remodel

VIII. Education

A. Rock Island High School Math Course . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the course “Applied Mathematics” to the grade 11/12 program curriculum at Rock Island High School as presented. Pending funding for appropriate textbooks.
B. Rock Island High School Improvement Plan . . . Information
Principal Robert Mason will present the School Improvement Plan for Rock Island High School, which was approved at the October 27, 2009 meeting of the Board.
C. District Improvement Plan . . . Action
Bill Osborne will present the District Improvement Plan. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the plan as presented.

IX. Operations

A. School Resource Officer Agreement . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the School Resource Officer Agreement for the 2009-2010 school year.
B. Second Reading of Board Policies . . . Information/Possible Action
Cabinet members will review the revisions to Board Policies 4:30, 5:30, 5:90, 5:100, 5:120, 5:250, 5:330, 5:280, 6:110 6:300, 6:310, 6:320, 7:240 and 7:300 as recommended by PRESS. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the revisions as presented, if appropriate.
C. 2010-2011 Calendars . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the 2010-2011 Calendars for the District and Secondary Schools/SKIP as presented.
D. December Fund Raisers . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the December Fund
Raisers as presented.

X. Business/Finance

A. Rock Island High School Counseling Suite Remodel . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education award a contract to
Construction Partners, Inc., Rock Island, IL, in the amount of $101,500.00 for remodeling the Counseling Suite at Rock Island High School.
B. Rock Island Intermediate Academy Accounts . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the request from the Rock Island Intermediate Academy to amend and consolidate the Activity Accounts at the Rock Island Intermediate and Primary Academies.
C. List of Donations . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education acknowledge the List of
Donations.
D. Bills for Payment . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education authorize Bills for Payment dated November 30, 2009 in the amount of $4,529,241.41.

XI. Personnel

A. Part-Time Certified Appointment . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the part-time
Certified Appointment of Emily Jackson as presented.
B. Certified Resignation . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the Certified Resignation of Tracie Veto as presented.
C. Certified Appointment . . . Action
A recommendation may be made regarding the possible employment of a specific employee.

XII. Adjournment