Board of Education

The Rock Island-Milan Board of Education began its regular meeting by recognizing Adopt-A-School partners that are involved with schools throughout the district. Superintendent Loy and President Bill Cleaver handed out certificates of appreciation to: Bituminous Insurance (Denkmann), Rock Island Rotary (Earl Hanson), U.S. Postal Service (Frances Willard), Augustana College (Longfellow), Church of Peace, Modern Woodmen and TPC (Primary Academy), Big Brothers Big Sisters and X Pac (Ridgewood and Thomas Jefferson) and the Quad City Chamber of Commerce (Rock Island High School). “We are incredibly fortunate to have so many business partners from the community who want to be involved with the children in the Rock Island-Milan School District,” said Superintendent Loy.

Edison Jr. High students Charlie Eagle, Mason Moss, Jinesh Shah, Hannah Rodgers, Andy Pearson, Connor Shuck, Nik Jacobs, Harry Phillis, Brady Wilkerson, Chandler Work and Josh Bushnell were recognized, along with their math coach Dr. Susan Neece, for their first place award at the Math Counts regional competition. Students at Washington Jr. High, Kelly Bishop, Ashton Faramelli, Thomas Knuckey and Syndie McNeal, along with coach and teacher Kirk Humphreys, were also recognized for their third place award at the Team Quest state competition last April.

Rock Island High School All-State Athletes were honored with certificates: Shatoya Burnett, Genesis Johnson, Sepe Kahlor, Brandon Pullman, Chasson Randle, Travis Saldana and Ben Sparkman. Rock Island High School Athletic Director Bob Swanson commended the students for their dedication in each of their respective sports as well as their dedication in the classroom.

The board also honored the Rock Island High School Girls Track Team with a special trophy presentation by Coach Michelle Lillis. The girls grabbed the State Champion 2A title last weekend at the Illinois State Track Meet in Charleston, IL. “These girls are amazing and we are extremely proud of the team,” said Coach Lillis.

Board Member and Superintendent Updates
Board members Earl Strupp, Jerry Tutskey, Jim Bishop and Bill Cleaver attended the annual Medal of Honor Banquet that recognizes students for their outstanding academic and leadership contributions to their school. Others attended the Chamber of Commerce Achievement Awards at Rock Island High School which recognized the top ten students of each class. Ms. Dothard and Mr. Strupp attended the Rock Island High School Honor Roll Assembly and the Rock Island High School Honor Roll Assembly. Ms. Dothard was very excited to see hundreds of students in red (representing those with a GPA of 3.0 – 3.4 for the three semesters) and gold (representing those with a GPA of 3.5 or higher for three semesters) being recognized for their academic achievements.

Superintendent Loy commented on two more Building Excellence groundbreakings that took place the previous week and also mentioned congratulations to the 14 retirees from the school district who were honored at the annual Retirement Tea last week. Mr. Loy congratulated the Rock Island High School Boys Track Team for their success at the Western Big 6 event and the Sectional last Friday and wished them luck this weekend at the Illinois State Boys Track Meet in Charleston.

Discipline Code Handbook
Assistant Superintendent Kay Ingham discussed changes to the 2009-2010 school district Discipline Code Handbook. A team consisting of teachers, parents and community members reviewed the current year handbook and reviewed changes for the 2009-2010 year. Significant changes include an expansion of the ban on backpacks in the classroom now includes “no purses” in secondary buildings.

The newly formatted user-friendly handbook will be available at school registration July 22 & 23. Parents will sign a card included with the book to confirm that they will read the material in the Discipline Code. Parents will receive a letter regarding important changes to the handbook, as well as reminders about appropriate dress, cell phone and electronic device usage, sexual harassment and bullying.

Building Excellence Update
Read the update at the construction blog >>

Other items:

• The Air Force Jr. ROTC program at the high school asked for consideration in establishing a Cadet Marksmanship extracurricular program at Rock Island High School. The proposal calls for off site practice range and off site storage of equipment. The sport has a presence at Davenport North High School and is also a nationally recognized sport with scholarships available at the college level.
• Architect Larrison & Associates, Davenport, Iowa, was approved to perform architectural and engineering services for the Earl Hanson addition/renovation at an estimated cost of $39,600. The entire project at Earl Hanson is estimated at $495,000.
• Transportation contract was awarded to Illinois Central School Bus of Morris, IL. The contract for services for student transportation is for the 2009-2010 through 2011-2012 school years, with a possibility of extending the contract for 2012-2013 & 2013-2014 school years.

The next Board of Education will be on Tuesday, June 9, 6:00 p.m. at the Rock Island High School Library.

ROCK ISLAND-MILAN SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 41
Board of Education Regular meeting
Rock Island High School Library
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2009 5:45 P.M.

A reception will be held to honor Rocky’s All-State Students, EJHS MathCounts Team and WJHS TeamQuest Students and Adopt-A-School Business Partners. The regular meeting will begin at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Download a PDF of the Board Agenda >>

I. Preliminary

A. Call to Order and Roll Call
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Approval of Board of Education Minutes . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the regular meetings of April 28 and May 12, 2009 as presented.

II. Special Item
Recognition of Adopt-A-School Partners and Students . . . Recognition

1) Adopt-A-School Business Partners
The Board will present certificates of appreciation to the following Adopt-A-School Partners: Bituminous Insurance (Denkmann), Rock Island Rotary (Earl Hanson), U.S. Postal Service (Frances Willard), Augustana College (Longfellow), Church of Peace, Modern Woodmen and TPC (Primary Academy), Big Brothers Big Sisters and X Pac (Ridgewood and Thomas Jefferson) and the Quad City Chamber of Commerce (Rock Island High School).
2) Math Counts Students from Edison Jr. High School
The Board will present certificates of recognition to Coach Dr. Susan Neece and the following Math Counts Students who tied for first place in the regional competition: Charlie Eagle, Mason Moss, Jinesh Shah, Hannah Rodgers, Andy Pearson, Connor Shuck, Nik Jacobs, Harry Phillis, Brady Wilkerson, Chandler Work, and Josh Bushnell.
3) Team Quest Students from Washington Jr. High School
The Board will present certificates of recognition to Coach Kirk Humphreys and the following Team Quest Students who placed third in the state competition: Kelly Bishop, Ashton Faramelli, Thomas Knuckey and Sydnie McNeal.
4) All-State Athletes from Rock Island High School
The Board will present certificates of recognition to the following All-State Athletes: Shatoya Burnett, Genesis Johnson, Sepehr Kahlhor, Brandon Pullman, Chasson Randle, Travis Saldana, and Ben Sparkman.

III. Communications

A. Communications from Citizens
B. Requests from persons wishing to speak on certain agenda items at the appropriate time during the meeting.

IV. Reports

A. Reports from Board Members
Voting Members
Student Members
B. Report from Superintendent
C. Report from RIEA Representative
D. Citizens wishing to address the Board of Education on items not on the agenda. 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. Nomination of Agenda Items for Future Meetings of the Board

VI. 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:

VII. C. Student Expulsions   VIII. E. List of Donations
VII. D. May Fund Raisers    VIII. F. April Financial Statements
VIII. B. Purchase of Property    VIII. G. Bills for Payment
VIII. C. Contracts (1-5)    IX. A-D. Personnel
VIII. D. Voluntary Insurance Programs

VII. Operations

A. Air Force Jr. ROTC Cadet Marksmanship Club . . . Information
The Board of Education will review the proposal from the Air Force Jr. ROTC to establish a Cadet Marksmanship extracurricular student activity club at Rock Island High School.
B. Discipline Code Handbook . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Discipline Code Handbook for the 2009-10 school year as presented.
C. Student Expulsions . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve Student Expulsion No’s. 01/01/04 and 01/11/16.
D. May Fund Raisers . . . Action It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the May Fund Raisers.

VIII. Business/Finance

A. Building Excellence Update . . . Information
Dr. Oberhaus will provide an update on the progress at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science.
B. Purchase of Property . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract for acquisition of the property located at 1354 – 23rd Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois, at a price of $150,000.
C. Contracts . . . Action
1) Pipe Fitting Abatement at Primary Academy
It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the proposal from Iowa Illinois Taylor Insulation for the pipe fitting abatement at the Rock Island Primary Academy at a cost of $13,050.00.
2) Architectural Services for Earl Hanson Addition/Renovation
It is recommended that the Board of Education contract with Larrison & Associates, Davenport, Iowa, to perform architectural and engineering services for the Earl Hanson addition/renovation at an estimated cost of $39,600.00.
3) MidAmerican Energy – Rock Island Center for Math & Science
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve a contract with MidAmerican Energy, Rock Island, Illinois, to relocate four power poles at the Rock Island Center for Math and Science at a cost of $10,003.00.
4) Transportation Contract
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the low bid of Illinois Central School Bus, Morris, IL to provide student transportation for 2009-10 through 2011-12 with a possibility of extension for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 years based on agreeable pricing, not to exceed the consumer price index.
5) Rock Island High School Yearbook
It is recommended that the Board of Education award a contract to Herff-Jones, Indianapolis, IN, in the amount of $20,500.00 for the yearbook publication at Rock Island High School.
D. Voluntary Life and Dental Insurance . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Voluntary Dental and Life Insurance programs from Fort Deerborn Life for employees in District 41 at no cost to the district.
E. List of Donations . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education acknowledge the List of Donations as presented.
F. April Financial Statements . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the April Financial Statements as presented.
G. Bills for Payment . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Bills for Payment dated May 15, 2009 in the amount of $4,038,263.49.

IX. Personnel

A. 2009-10 Certified Appointments . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Certified Appointments of Ian Scott and Ashley Wilson for the 2009-10 school year as presented.
B. Certified Retirement . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Certified Retirement of Detella McLeod-McCann as presented.
C. Certified Resignation . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the Certified Resignation of Kathleen Sievers as presented.
D. Non-Certified Termination . . . Action
It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the termination of Non-Certified Employee No. 9-1-1918.

X. Executive Session

It is recommended that the Board of Education enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel.

XI. Adjournment