Rockford Sun

Rockford Public School District 205 Board of Education met Dec. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Jude Makulec called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Present: President Jude Makulec, Vice President Tim Rollins, Secretary June Stanford, Ms. Denise Pearson, Ms. Tiana McCall, Mr. David Seigel

Absent: None

Motion by Ms. Pearson seconded by Mr. Seigel that the Board hold an executive session to consider the appointment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees; student disciplinary cases; the placement of individual students in special education programs and other matters relating to individual students; collective bargaining matters; security procedures, school building safety and security; the purchase, sale or lease of real property; or other matters provided for pursuant to §2(c) of the Open Meetings Act.

Approved: 6-0-0

The Board was in executive session from 5:02 p.m. to 6:09 p.m.

1. Call to Order – President Jude Makulec called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:01 p.m.

A. Roll Call

Present: President Jude Makulec, Vice President Tim Rollins, Secretary June Stanford, Ms. Denise Pearson, Ms. Tiana McCall, Mr. David Seigel

Absent: None

Mrs. Makulec thanked Conner Childers who produces the Board’s broadcast on Channel 20, and YouTube Live. Mr. Rollins welcomed Superintendent’s Student Advisory Representative Katie Jensen from Guilford High School.

B. Pledge of Allegiance

C. Recitation of Mission Statement: The Mission of Rockford Public School is to collaboratively engage all students in a first-class education for a changing world.

2. Celebrating RPS205

A. Carlson Elementary School MTSS Journey

Title I teacher Kristin Archer and principal Kristina Miller gave a presentation on their implementation of SEL, and behavior support has helped students at Carlson with their academic achievement. Resources included restorative circles, calm classroom, District and Regional Office trainings, and SEL, teaching community and coping strategy resources. Tier 1 includes all students in all classrooms, Tier 2 are proactive sessions for students who need more support, and Tier 3 are students who need explicit instruction of SEL skill deficits. To view the presentation, please click on this link: Carlson Elementary School.

3. Petitions & Communications

Mrs. Makulec read the guidelines

• Ahnn Recoy spoke of her frustrations regarding staff at her son’s school.

• Ricky Naylor commented on his dissatisfaction with District and that racism is a health crisis.

• Cashiana Stevenson spoke of her concerns with her son’s safety at his elementary school.

• Terry Gano spoke of restorative justice.

• John Tac Brantley spoke of his walking school bus and of how he helped students at Lewis Lemon.

4. Report and *Action on items that Proceeded through the Performance and Monitoring Committee

A. *Board Policy 4.140 Operational Services; Student Fees

B. *Board Policy 4.170 Operational Services; Safety

C. *Board Policy 5.120 Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest

D. *Board Policy 7.70 Students; Attendance and Truancy

E. *Board Policy 8.30 Community Relations; Visitors to and Conduct on School Property

Board members agreed to vote for the policies with one motion and one vote.

Motion by Mr. Seigel second by Mr. Rollins to approve items 4A-4E, Board Policy 4.140 Operational Services; Student Fees, Board Policy 4.170 Operational Services; Safety, Board Policy 5.120 Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest, Board Policy 7.70 Students; Attendance and Truancy, Board Policy 8.30 Community Relations; Visitors to and Conduct on School Property.

Approved: Unanimously

5. Report and *Action on Items that proceeded through the Planning Committee

A. *ComEd EV’s for Education – Morgan Gallagher, Chief of Schools

Motion by Mr. Rollins seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve item 5A, ComEd EV’s for Education. Approved: Unanimously

6. *Consent Agenda – Performance and Monitoring Committee

A. Payroll

B. Accounts Payable

C. Purchase Orders

D. Air Travel

E. Construction Pay Request Log

F. Monthly Cash and Investment Report – October 2022 – Jamie Murray, CAP, Executive Director of Finance

G. Financial Results: October 2022 – Ms. Jamie Murray, CPA, Executive Director of Finance

H. ESSER – RPS Managed Work Change Order

I. International Baccalaureate Program – Sarah Brenner, Principal and Heather Psaltis, Executive Director of Schools – pulled by Ms. Pearson

J. Career Running Start – Bridget French – pulled by Mr. Seigel

K. HM Insurance – Health Insurance and RX Stop Loss Insurance

L. Winston Knolls Therapeutic Day Facility

M. Recurring Contract Larson and Darby Group, Administration Building 4th Floor Renovation – Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

N. PowerSchool Group, LLC BusinessPlus Enterprise Management Service (EMS)

O. Regional Office of Education – Morgan Gallagher on behalf of Bloom Elementary

7. *Consent Items – Planning Committee

A. Life Decisions – ARP/ESSER

8. *Consent Items – Governance Committee

A. Meeting Minutes: 11-29-22 & 11-15-22

B. Contract Purchase Orders

C. Expense Reimbursement: J. Makulec, T. Rollins, J. Stanford, D. Pearson

D. Fee Waiver: Phantom Regiment – Bonnie Spurling, Director of Fine Arts & Earl Dotson, Jr., Chief Communications Officer – pulled by Mrs. Makulec

E. Memorandum of Understanding – International Baccalaureate Program

F. Workers' Compensation Settlement Agreement - AW

G. Freedom of Information Log

Motion by Ms. McCall seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve Consent Items not pulled.

Approved: Unanimously

Motion by Mr. Seigel seconded by Ms. Pearson to approve Consent item pulled 6I, International Baccalaureate Program.

The process for choosing Conklin for the International Baccalaureate program was explained due to its currently having a bilingual program. Moving forward, the Administration will work with the Board to determine if there are quadrants in the city to expand the program. Mrs. Makulec called for the vote.

Approved: Unanimously

Motion by Mr. Seigel seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve Consent item pulled 6J, Career Running Start. This is an opportunity for forty high school seniors to participate in a career version of running start. Successful students will receive a certificate of completion allowing them to enter high demand jobs. Actual costs vary by program and includes supplies. Mrs. Makulec called for the vote.

Approved: Unanimously

Motion by Ms. McCall seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve Consent item pulled, 8D, Fee Waiver: Phantom Regiment.

Donated instruments are the property of the District. Mrs. Makulec commented on being in the elevator, noticing the flyer of the All-City Fine Arts Music program, and no mention of the location. This will take place at Forest City Church, formerly Heartland. Mrs. Spurling spoke of the Instrument Zoo taking place December 14, 2022, at Forest City Church. The Rockford Symphony Orchestra wrote a grant that enables musicians to come and talk to students about the instruments. The Middle School All City Art Festival follows the Instrument Zoo, then the middle school music students arrive having clinics with music teachers. Mrs. Makulec also spoke to members that Legal is working with Facilities to create a form for consistent fee waivers. In January, the administrative procedure will be revised raising the limit of what the Superintendent can approve. Mrs. Makulec called for the vote.

Approved: Unanimously

9. *Closed Session Consent Items

A. HR Report & Addendum

10. *Closed Session Consent Items Student Discipline – Suspension Appeals and Expulsions

A. H0021X-23 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of 2022-2023 school year through the second trimester of the 2023-2024 school year.

B. H0023X-23 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.

C. H0024X-23 – expelled for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the entire 2023-2024 school year. – pulled by Ms. Pearson

D. P0053X-23 – expelled for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the first semester of the 2023- 2024 school year.

11. *Closed Session Consent Items Student Discipline – EIAs

A. D0004-23

B. H0022-23

C. P0042-23

D. P0043-23

E. P0044-23

F. P0045-23

G. P0046-23

H. P0047-23

I. P0048-23

J. P0049-23

K. P0050-23

L. P0051-23

M. P0052-23

N. P0054-23

O. P0055-23

P. P0056-23

Q. P0057-23

R. P0058-23

S. P0059-23

T. T0007-23

Motion by Mr. Rollins seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve Closed Session Consent items not pulled. Approved: Unanimously

Motion by Ms. Pearson seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve Closed Session Consent item pulled 10C, H0024x-23. Yeas: Mr. Rollins, Ms. McCall, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Stanford

Nays: Ms. Pearson

Approved: 5-1-0

12. Superintendent’s Update

A. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Jarrett

B. Update on Superintendent’s Target

Dr. Jarrett spoke of his targets. Two are specifically tied; MTSS to support struggling students and ensuring making progress supporting students academically. There is now a weekly District monitoring process of how schools are doing placing their students in the Panorama system, evaluate the quality of interventions, and with struggling secondary level students challenging schools to identify twenty-five percent of students for placement in summertime programs. Dr. Jarrett then ceded his time to SSAC Representative Katie Jensen. Ms. Jensen spoke of her experience and found it very informative. She spoke of her experience in Running Start and will graduate high with an associates degree in Arts. Running Start also provided her with the opportunity to meet new students.

13. Board Member Comments

• Ms. Pearson encouraged school administrators and appreciated that they have many responsibilities. She spoke of students escaping adult supervision and the need to take a closer look at interventions.

• Mr. Rollins asked Administration to follow up with the parents who voiced their concerns.

14. *New Board Member Oath of Office

A. *Sub District F Selection and Administration of Oath of Office to New Board Member – Mrs. Makulec Motion by Ms. Pearson seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve Sub District F Selection and Administration of Oath of Office to Ms. Kimberly Haley

Mrs. Makulec administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Haley who was then seated at the Board table. Ms. Haley took her seat at the Board table. She thanked the Board for choosing her and looks forward to her service as they strive to make it a community for everyone.

15. Other Business/New Business/Agenda Recommendations

A. Board Member Action Steps

Mrs. Makulec asked members for the plus/deltas of the meeting.

• Ms. Haley of her excitement of the direction where the board is going; there are a lot of issues to address, and she is here for it.

• Ms. McCall liked the flow of the meeting and thanked the public speakers for their participation.

• Ms. Pearson spoke of her appreciation for the community and their input. She stated the importance of empathizing with parents and their concerns, and to quickly respond to them.

• Mr. Seigel spoke appreciably of public speakers, and sometimes how difficult it can be for the speaker and the listener. He also expressed his appreciation to students coming to meetings, thanking Katie Jensen for coming to the retreat Saturday. Mr. Seigel also commented on how well the meeting went and wished everyone Happy Holidays.

• Ms. Stanford comments included enjoying the schools that come to present and share their successes. There are many exception children in the system and Board members often do not hear from them or their successes.

• Mr. Rollins agreed that having the schools come to meetings and sharing strategies with members. There is not a one size fits all, and each school is doing something different and how it is interesting how each school is finding their own success. The flow of the meeting went well, and it was fairly neutral.

• Mrs. Makulec thanked staff members who, without prior notice, stood up and spoke to members, being generous with their information. She also notified members on their return in January, that the seating arrangements will change. She wished everyone Happy Holidays and to enjoy their time off, thanking them for their input.

16. Adjournment

Motion by Mr. Seigel second by Ms. Pearson to adjourn.

Adjournment: 8:09 p.m.

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