Rockford Sun

Rockford Public School District 205 Board of Education met March 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Board President called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.

Present: President Denise Pearson, Vice President Tiana McCall (arr. 5:03 p.m.), Secretary June Stanford, Ms. Nicole Bennett, Ms. Kim Haley, Mr. Paul Carpenter, Mr. Grant Schubert

Absent: None

Motion by Mr. Schubert seconded by Ms. Stanford 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: 6-0-1

The Board was in executive session from 5:02 p.m. to 6:52 p.m.

1. Call to Order – President Denise Pearson called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:05 p.m.

A. Roll Call

Present: President Denise Pearson, Vice President Tiana McCall, Secretary June Stanford, Ms. Nicole Bennett, Ms. Kim Haley, Mr. Paul Carpenter, Mr. Grant Schubert

Absent: None

Ms. Pearson thanked Kim Pedersen and Aaron Hill who produce the Board’s broadcast on Channel 20, and YouTube Live. She welcomed Superintendent’s Student Advisory Representative Stella Seminerio from Guilford High School.

B. Pledge of Allegiance

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

2. Recognitions

A. Recognitions – Earl Dotson, Jr.

The following students members were recognized for their achievements.

Academics – Auburn High School

Seniors Ashley Ferry, Huan Lin, and Brielle Rach were name semifinalists for the National Meri Scholarship. Leonel Bautista-Cortez was chosen as the 2024 YWCA Northwester Illinois La Voz Latina scholarship winner. Shamyah Taper and Amaya Challenger received the Rockford Alumnae Chapter scholarship from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The scholarship is open to African American females who have a 2.5 GP or higher and are active in the community.

Athletics

East High School students qualified for the IHSA Individual State Wrestling Tournament. Senior Lee Smith Jr. earned All-State honors finishing third at State at 285 pounds. Junior Donald Cannon earn All-State Honors finishing fourth at 132 pounds. Senior Joseph Young competed at 120 pounds, sophomore Dana Wickson competed at 144 pounds, and sophomore Ty’Quavion Smart also competed.

Auburn High School senior James Murray competed at State swimming the 200 and 500 freestyle. Thurgood Marshall School Girls’ basketball team and West View Elementary School Boys’ basketball team each won the Rockford Elementary Basketball Association tournament.

Fine Arts

National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

The following Jefferson High School students received Regional/State level awards will be honored at a Scholastics Award Celebration hosted by the University of Iowa.

Mya Hildebrand – Honorable Portfolio Award in recognition for exemplary work

Isaira Alvarado and Mya Hildebrand received Gold Key Awards to be forwarded to New York City to inclusion in the national exhibition.

Nela Campello, Emily Chavel, Mya Hildebrand, Erika Palos-Ponce, and Mily Sigala received Silver Key Awards Isaria Alvarod, Mya Hildebrand, Erika Palos-Ponce, Xavier Podraza, and Sherlyn Savalla received Honorable

Mention Awards.

The National Award recognition will be announced in June.

Rockford Art Museum 83rd Young Artist Show Awards

Portfolio: Humberto Carlos Hernandez – Guilford High School

Women’s Art Board – Mya Hildebrand – Jefferson High School

Juror’s Choice – Jade Stone – Auburn High School

Honorable Mention – Lauren Rider, Auburn High School and El Cabral, Guilford High School.

3. Celebrating RPS 205

A. Froberg Elementary – Kinder Switcheroo

Ms. Kim Ward, principal of Froberg Elementary School, explained the school’s Switcheroo to members. Kindergarten classes are treated as one unit instead of three, giving teachers and students the opportunity to know each other. Teachers and parents know each other, and this also provides balanced classes. Outcomes include universal expectations, everyone does everything every day for everyone, joint conference, team collaboration and planning, and an enhanced sense of belonging. To view the presentation, please click on this link: Kinder Switcheroo! 4. Petitions & Communications

Ms. Pearson read the guidelines.

• Ricky Naylor addressed his comments to members who voted to renew the superintendent’s contract.

• John Tac Brantlee spoke of students participating in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and taking them to the Science & Industry Museum.

• Angel Brown commented about cleaning schools, and students with health issues and allergies.

• Linda Lawrence spoke of increasing the number of Hispanics and African American people in administration, staff and Board members.

• Tommy and Evelyn Meeks thanked RPS 205 for their participation in Juneteenth and spoke of the meaning of Juneteenth to Board and community members.

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

A. *College and Career Education Center Decennial Life Safety Audit – Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. McCall to approve item 5A, College and Career Education Center Decennial Life Safety Audit.

Approved: Unanimously

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

A. *Board Policy 6.235 Instruction; Access to Electronic Networks/Resources

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. Stanford to approve item 6A, Board Policy 6.235 Instruction; Access to Electronic Networks/Resources.

Approved: Unanimously

B. *Board Policy 7.191 Students; Use of Isolated Time Out and Physical Restraint

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. Stanford to approve item 6B, Board Policy 7.191 Students; Use of Isolated Time Out and Physical Restraint.

Approved: Unanimously

C. Follow-up on Items Presented at Committee of the Whole: Board Policy 4.60 Operational Services; Purchases and Contracts - Discussion

Mr. Youngblood, Director of Purchasing, spoke of the procedures used to submit bids. They are created by the requirements of the State of Illinois and the School Code. There are bids that have further requirements, examples are those fund by Federal funds or ESSER construction projects. The District’s E-Rate bids also have additional criteria mandated by the Federal Government. Discussion included the differences between bids, request for quote (RFQ), and request for proposal (RFP).

7. *Consent Agenda – Performance and Monitoring Committee

A. Payroll

B. Accounts Payable

C. Purchase Orders

D. Contract Purchase Orders

E. Air Fare

F. Monthly Cash and Investment Report – January 2024 – Jamie Murray, CPA, Executive Director of Finance

G. Financial Results: January 2024 – Ms. Jamie Murray, CPA, Executive Director of Finance

H. RPS Managed Work Change Order

I. ESSER RPS Managed Change Order Log

J. Fiscal Year (FY2025) Student Fees – Ms. Jamie Murray, CPA, Executive Director of Finance

K. IFB 24-26 Special Needs Transportation – Pulled by Administration

L. IFB 24-31 Asbestos Abatement at CCEC

M. IFB 24-33 CCEC Interior Renovations

N. IFB 24-32 Administration Building 4th Floor Renovation

O. IFB 24-35 Eisenhower M.S. Life Safety Upgrades

P. IFB 24-37 OSC ComEd New Electric Service

Q. IFB 24-38 Auburn HS Wyeth Stadium & Guilford HS Swanson

R. IFB 24-41 E-Rate 2024 Infrastructure Rebid

S. IFB 24-43 Administration Building 7th Floor RTU Replacement

T. Gregory Elementary School PTO Donation of Two Swings – Morgan Gallagher on behalf of Gregory Elementary School

U. Multi-Carrier Cell Repeater Installation and Programming

V. Recurring Contract Richard L. Johnson Architects, Modular Classroom Design for IB at Conklin – Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

W. CPM Inspiring Connections Course: 6th Grade Resource – Morgan Gallagher on behalf of Conklin IB Motion by Ms. Stanford seconded by Mr. Carpenter to approve Consent Agenda items in paragraph 7, Performance and Monitoring.

Approved: Unanimously

8. *Consent Items – Planning Committee

A. New Hire Teacher Incentives – Jason Pope, Director of Recruitment

Motion by Ms. Bennett seconded by Mr. Schubert to approve Consent items in paragraph 8, Planning. Approved: Unanimously

9. * Consent Items – Governance Committee

A. Meeting Minutes: 02-20-2024

B. Expense Reimbursement: D. Pearson, T. McCall, K. Haley

C. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – International Baccalaureate Program

D. Freedom of Information Log

Motion by Ms. Bennett seconded by Mr. Carpenter to approve Consent items in paragraph 9, Governance Approved: Unanimously

10. *Closed Session Consent Items

A. Appointment of Grant Mason as 12 Month High School Dean of Athletics & Facilities Assigned to Guilford

B. Appointment of Zachary Larson as 12 month High School Dean of Athletics & Facilities Assigned to Jefferson

C. Workers’ Compensation Settlement Agreement – MR

D. Compensation Adjustments for Non-Bargaining Employees

E. HR Organizational Report & Addendum

Motion by Ms. Stanford seconded by Mr. Carpenter approve Closed Session Consent items in paragraph 10. Approved: Unanimously

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

A. H0071X-24 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

B. H0072X-24 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

C. H0073X-24 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

D. H0074X-24 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the entire 2024-2025 school year.

E. H0078X-24 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year.

F. H0080X-24 – expelled for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the entire 2024-2025 school year.

G. P0120X-24 – expelled for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the entire 2024-2025 school year.

H. P0150A-24 – the one day suspension is affirmed.

Motion by Ms. Stanford seconded by Mr. Carpenter to approve Closed Session Consent items in paragraph 11, Student Discipline Suspension Appeals and Expulsions.

Approved: Unanimously

12. *Closed Session Consent Items Student Discipline – EIAs

A. B0025-24

B. B0026-24

C. B0027-24

D. H0075-24 – Pulled by Administration

E. H0076-24

F. H0079-24 – Pulled by Administration

G. H0081-24

H. H0082-24

I. H0084-24

J. H0085-24

K. H0086-24

L. H0087-24

M. P0134-24

N. P0138-24

O. P0139-24

P. P0140-24

Q. P0141-24

R. P0142-24

S. P0143-24

T. P0144-24

U. P0145-24

V. P0146-24

W. P0147-24

X. P0148-24

Y. P0149-24

Z. P0151-24

AA. P0152-24

BB. P0153-24 – Pulled by Administration

CC. P0154-24

Page 4 of 5

DD. P0155-24

EE. P0156-24

FF. P0158-24

GG. P0159-24

HH. P0160-24

II. T0007-24 – Pulled by Ms. Bennett

JJ. T0008-24

Motion by Ms. Stanford seconded by Ms. Bennett to approve Closed Session Consent Items not pulled in paragraph 12, Student Discipline – EIAS.

Approved: Unanimously

Motion by Ms. Stanford seconded by Ms. Haley to approve Closed Session Consent item pulled, 12II, T0007 in Paragraph 12.

Yeas: Ms. McCall, Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Haley, Ms. Stanford, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Schubert

Abstain: Ms. Bennett

Approved: 6-0-1

13. Superintendent’s Update

A. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Jarrett

Dr. Jarrett ceded his time to Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council member Stella Seminerio. Stella spoke of being part of Rock Valley College’s Running Start program and thanked everyone for allowing her to sit in on the Committee of the Whole meeting. She found it very insightful and thought of what ideas she could bring to the Board. One topic that stood out for her was the Code of Conduct discussion. As a student, she acknowledged there has been some type of presentation on this topic and that she received a book. As she recalled, only a few of the major offenses were covered and students were far from engaged. She commented that it is important for students and staff to be educated on it and that if students were better educated regarding the code of conduct, problems would be less likely to happen. She also spoke of a better future regarding student discipline if teachers were educated on the code and followed its procedures.

14. Board Member Comments

• Ms. Bennett stated she emailed her policy recommendations.

• Ms. McCall gave a shout-out to Mr. Dotson, Jr., Mr. James Pearson, and staff for the recent coffee chat. It was a great turn out and cannot wait to attend the next one. She was very encouraged with it.

• Ms. Pearson spoke of participating in Read Across America at McIntosh Elementary School, appreciating kindergarten teachers and that it was a wonderful experience. She also commented about the recent coffee chat, that it was a great subject thanking Pastor Copeland for moderating and board members who attended. She gave a special recognition to Board Member Ms. Bennett for her thorough study of all the EIAs.

• Ms. Bennett spoke of attending Rockford City Council meeting and that the month of March is Social Workers month and was recognized by the City. She also gave a shout-out to all the District’s social workers and the early-bird social work program being piloted at Auburn.

15. Other Business/New Business Agenda Recommendations

Motion by Ms. Stanford seconded by Mr. Carpenter to adjourn.

Adjournment: 8:29 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/rps205/Board.nsf/files/D45PZV6717CF/$file/bm2024-03-19.pdf