Rockford Sun

Rockford Public School District 205 Board of Education met April 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Jude Makulec called the meeting to order at 5:03p.m.

Present: President Jude Makulec, Vice President Tim Rollins, Ms. Denise Pearson, Ms. Kimberly Haley, Ms. Tiana McCall (arr. 5:36 p.m.), Mr. David Seigel

Absent: Secretary June Stanford

Motion by Mr. Rollins 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: 5-0-2

The Board was in executive session from 5:05 p.m. to 5:53 p.m.

1. Call to Order – President Jude Makulec called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. A. Roll Call

Present: President Jude Makulec, Vice President Tim Rollins, Ms. Denise Pearson, Ms. Kimberly Haley, Ms. McCall, Mr. David Seigel

Absent: Secretary June Stanford

Mrs. Makulec thanked Cathy Bayer-Eberle and welcomed Kim Pedersen who produces the Board’s broadcast on Channel 20, and YouTube Live.

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. RU Education Pathway Scholarship Recipients

Mr. Jason Pope, Director of Recruitment, introduced the following students awarded the RU Education Pathway Scholarship.

Auburn High School

• Veronica McClean

• Kylee Clark

• Andrew Romero

• Ethan Vanderkolk

East High School

Naomi Cano-Rodriguez

• Yareli Salazar

• Jacob Harker

• Alexandra Toro

• Natalie Muehlfelder

• Donovan Turner

• Daniella Torres

Guilford High School

• Daelyn Villanueva

• Lyall Kehley

• Hannah Smith

• Payton Sullivan

• Andrew Galitz

• Rashad Hoel

Jefferson High School

• Sarah Carter

• Sofia Lofranco

• Adorant Boukandou

• Jamera Morris

• Michelle Watson

• Amahirany Lopez

• Daisy Coss

Roosevelt High School

• Erinique Johnson

• Richard Hart

3. Petitions & Communications

Mrs. Makulec read the guidelines.

• Ricky Naylor spoke of students needing to have their voices heard.

• John Tac Brantlee spoke of the Great American Cleanup in Fairgrounds on April 29, 2023.

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

A. Freshman Academy Update

Dr. Gallagher presented the Freshman Academy Update. Beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, Freshman On Track did not meet the goal of 75% as the actual percentage was 72%. The current mid-year score for Freshman on Track is 81%, exceeding the goal. Year over year scores were presented by ethnicity. Percentages for African American students is up 12% since 2019 and was 60% in 2022. Hispanic students showed a growth of 14% since 2019 and was 77% in 2022. African American students show an increase of 4%, currently at 72%. Percentages for Hispanic students fell by 1%, currently 85%. White or Caucasian scores fell 2%, currently 85%. Next steps include strengthening Small Learning Communities (SLCs) with professional learning for Academy principals and SLC self assessment inventory based on Freshman Success Framework. To view the presentation, please click on this link: Freshman Academy Update.

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

A. *Resolution to Allow Appropriations on Fiscal Year 2024 Draft Budget - Greg Brown, Ed.D, Chief Financial Officer and Michele Sather, Executive Director of Budget

Motion by Ms. McCall seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve item 5A, Resolution to Allow Appropriations on Fiscal Year 2024 Draft Budget.

Yeas: Ms. Pearson, Mr. Rollins, Ms. McCall, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Haley

Absent: Ms. Stanford

Approved: 6-0-1

6. Board President’s Announcements and Report and *Action on items that Proceeded through the Governance Committee

A. *Board Policy 1.10 School District Organization; School District Legal Status

Motion by Mr. Seigel seconded by Ms. McCall to approve 6A, Board Policy 1.10 School District Organization; School District Legal Status.

Yeas: Mr. Rollins, Ms. McCall, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson

Absent: Ms. Stanford

Approved: 6-0-1

7. *Consent Agenda – Performance and Monitoring Committee

A. Payroll

B. Accounts Payable

C. Purchase Orders

D. Air Travel

E. Construction Pay Request Log

F. Evanston/Skokie SD65 Therapeutic Day School

G. The Summit School

H. RVC Rental Agreement for 5/11/23

I. Rockford University Rental Agreement for 4/14/23

J. Rockford Park District – Lockwood Park – Kimberly Nelson, Executive Director of Early Childhood

K. Instructional Resource: CKLA/Caminos by Amplify for K-5 Integrated Literacy – pulled by Mrs. Makulec

L. Instructional Resource: Ready Teacher Toolbox by Curriculum Associates for K-8 Math – pulled by Mrs. Makulec

M. Franklin Covey Education – Cherry Valley Elementary, Carolyn Timm, Principal

N. Paridad Consulting Agreement – Dr. Misael Nascimento

O. Teacher Professional Learning: National Center for Civic Innovation (OpenSciEd)

P. Teacher Professional Learning: National Writing Project

Q. Teacher Professional Learning: Amplify

R. Regional Office of Education (ROE) and Jefferson HS – Morgan Gallagher

S. Teacher Professional Learning: Regional Office of Education

T. Teacher Professional Learning: Rockford Symphony Orchestra

U. RFP 23-44 Academy Video Production – Pulled by Administration

V. IFB 23-45 Barbour ES Hard Surface Playground

W. Recurring Contract with Belles Firm of Architecture for Roof Replacement Design at Conklin, Lathrop, and Whitehead Elementary Schools – Scott Jensen, Director of Design and Construction, Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

X. Recurring Contract with Richard L. Johnson Associates for Roof Replacement Design at Guilford HS – Scott Jensen, Director of Design and Construction, Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

8. *Consent Items – Planning Committee

A. Project Management Training for District Leadership – Jason Barthel

B. Community Life Center of Rockford

C. Patriot’s Gateway

9. *Consent Items – Governance Committee

A. Meeting Minutes: 03-28-23

B. Contract Purchase Orders

C. Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement with the Rockford Park District – Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

D. Freedom of Information Log

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

Yeas: Ms. McCall, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Rollins

Absent: Ms. Stanford

Approved:6-0-1

Motion by Mr. Rollins seconded by Ms. Pearson to approve Consent Item pulled 7K, Instructional Resource: CKLA/Caminos by Amplify for K-5 Integrated Literacy

CKLA/Caminos (by Amplify) is a knowledge-building resource with activities and lessons aligned to common core ELA standards. This resource is aligned to the upper strand of Scarborough's Rope and provides both teacher and student with text-in-hand in both English and Spanish languages. Digital licensing for online access to materials is also available. Additionally, the District is currently performing a field test of CKLA resources in two of its elementary schools. Mrs. Makulec called for the vote.

Yeas: Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Rollins, Ms. McCall

Absent: Ms. Stanford

Approved: 6-0-1

Motion by Mr. Seigel seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve Consent item pulled 7L, Instructional Resource: Ready Teacher Toolbox by Curriculum Associates for K-8 Math.

The current K-8 core resource for math curriculum has expired. Adoption of the Ready Teacher Toolbox will equip teachers with tools and materials for proper implementation. It will also provide a tight, vertical alignment. Mrs. Makulec called for the vote.

Yeas: Mrs. Seigel, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Rollins, Ms. McCall, Mrs. Makulec

Absent: Ms. Stanford

Approved: 6-0-1

10. *Closed Session Consent Items

A. Appointment of Ryan Brown as 12-Month, Bilingual & Multicultural Administrator at the Administration Building

B. Salary Adjustments for Non-Bargaining Employees – Additions

C. Residency Hearing Officer Report Re: Student Z’s Family Residency Dispute

D. Request for Administrative Transfer - JW

E. HR Organization Report & Addendum

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

A. H0093X-23 – expelled for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the entire 2023-2024 school year.

B. H0094X-23 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the entire 2023-2024 school year.

C. H0095X-23 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the entire 2023-2024 school year.

D. H0098X-23 – expelled for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the entire 2023-2024 school year.

E. H0099X-23 – expelled for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year through the entire 2023-2024 school year.

12. *Closed Session Consent Items Student Discipline (EIAs)

A. D0013-23

B. D0014-23

C. D0015-23

D. H0096-23

E. H0097-23

F. H0100-23

G. H0101-23

H. H0102-23

I. H0103-23

J. P0131-23

K. P0132-23

L. P0133-23

M. P0134-23

N. P0135-23

O. P0136-23

P. T0011-23

Q. T0012-23

R. T0013-23

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

Yeas: Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Rollins, Ms. McCall, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel

Absent: Ms. Stanford

Approved: 6-0-1

13. Superintendent’s Update

A. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Jarrett

Dr. Jarrett spoke of how the District’s transportation needs have stabilized and using a blended model of vendors such as Everdriven for Early Childhood routes. The District has a new opportunity with Rockford Education Association using Federal ARP/ESSER funds as there are nineteen elementary and/or special program schools voluntarily voting to extend their learning day by 45 minutes day. Currently, Transportation uses a three tiered system for bus routes with each driver having an elementary, high school, and middle school route. With the extended learning day, the District does not have enough drivers to fill this gap. Dr. Jarrett requested the Board for permission to bring to the April 25, 2023, meeting a Request for Price (RFP) for Student Transportation Services. The RFP is for seventy-nine routes serving nine elementary schools. Board members reached a consensus allowing Administration to bring the RFP to the April 25, 2023, meeting.

14. Board Member Comments

A. Board Member Comments

• Mr. Rollins spoke of when Dr. Jarrett brought the Rockford University Pathway to the Board. He commented he was glad to see the number of students receiving scholarships this year.

B. Discussion: Superintendent’s Update

Items on the update included Employee Engagement Survey: Window Closes April 11, Secondary Grading Practices: Next Steps, and PDSA Update: New Principal/AP Mentoring/Coaching.

15. Action Steps include:

There were no action steps

16. Adjournment

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

Adjournment: 8:00 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/rps205/Board.nsf/files/CQZSHJ6FD92F/$file/bm2023-04-11.pdf