Rockford Sun

Rockford Public School District 205 Board of Education met May 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

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

Present: President Denise Pearson, Vice President Tiana McCall, Ms. Kim Haley, Mr. Paul Carpenter, Mr. Grant Schubert

Absent: Secretary June Stanford, Ms. Nicole Bennett,

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. McCall 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 5:12 p.m. to 6:51 p.m.

1. Call to Order – President Denise Pearson called the regular meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:03 p.m.

A. Roll Call

Present: President Denise Pearson, Vice President Tiana McCall, Ms. Kim Haley, Mr. Paul Carpenter, Mr. Grant Schubert

Absent: Secretary June Stanford, Ms. Nicole Bennett

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 Habiba Kamel 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.

D. Special Guest: Mayor Tom McNamara

Mayor McNamara spoke of the District and Board members holding the tax rate flat, the Rockford Promise Futures event adding 152 students attending NIU tuition free, spoke of Jason Pope and the partnership with Central State University for the exemplary partnership. Mayor McNamara also thanked the District and Board for opening the doors of Flinn middle school following the tragedies of the week of March 25, 2024, and the RPS and Rosecrance partnership that offered over 100 families assistance.

2. Recognitions

A. Recognitions – Earl Dotson, Jr.

The following students members were recognized for their achievements.

Guilford High School

Bass Fishing Team Jack Markardt and Reid Ticknor qualified for the State Tournament at Carlyle Lake. IESA State Bowling Tournament

The following students qualified for the State Bowling Tournament

For Girls

• Eisenhower: Lennon Kilbreath, Kylie Leese, Addison Harvey, Ryker Handy, Isabella Barbuto, Amelia Mossoe

• Flinn: Isabella McCoy

• West: Addie Beaman

For Boys

• Eisenhower: Isaiah Nassab, Landon Severson, Aiden Poulisse, Andy Branson, Kevin Sayarath, West Ping

• Flinn: Isaiah Worley, John Behm

• Lincoln: Brock Fuller

• Marshall: Samuel Spates

Auburn High School

The following students competed in the first Illinois Individual Olympiad State Tournaments. Medal honors were:

2nd place in both Chemistry Lab and Dynamic Planet - Jeffrey Mathew & Huan Lin

2nd place in Fermi Questions - Besnik Jusufi & Huan Lin

3rd place in Ecology - Siri Chennareddy & Besnik Jusufi

5th place in Forensics - Sophia Blomberg & Siri Chennareddy

Two seniors received an award at the Illinois Principal Association Student Leadership Banquet. Carrington Rae Autumn Weatherly served as student council president, boy football manager, captain of the varsity track team, and she is the senior class president. Carrington is an active member of the Kiwanis Key Club & National Honors Society. Outside of school, Carrington serves as a member of the Rockford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council. She is a charter member of the Forest City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated. Shamyah Taber played softball, cheered, and was a DECA club member for two years. She has been in the National Honor Society since her sophomore year and is also currently an active student government and student council member. Illinois Future Problem-Solving Competition

Students from Flinn Middle School and Auburn High School participated int he Illinois Future Problem-Solving Competition Flinn: Isabella McCoyion. Flinn's Aysiah Curtis distinguished herself by claiming the top spot in her division through a captivating scenario performance, skillfully addressing the potential challenges of autonomous transportation. Jon Neubauer's exceptional narrative about the hazards of unregulated tourism in Antarctica secured him first place in his division. Both students spent several months researching, writing, and editing their scenarios. Maddix Edminson and Jocelynn Ayala also attained recognition for their outstanding scenario writing. Other students who participated and were recognized were Aileen Garcia, Presley Reese, Lilly Fulkerson, Kane Powers, Adele Caiozzo, and Jajuan Harris. One of Flinn's teams took 6th place in the oral presentation category, and Coach Aubrey Barnett was honored for ten years of service in the organization.

Auburn student achievements include:

1st place in both the AAT Writing and Scenario Writing competitions - Jayla Yardley

2nd place in the Art competition - Jade Stone

2nd place in the Presentation Action Plan Team competition - Damien Thompson, Caleb Sales, Seth Garcia, Muhammad Sulliman, and Yardley

Rookie Team of The Year Trophy

Students Jayla Yardley, Damien Thompson, and Muhammad Sulive will advance to the international level of competition.

Superintendent's Student Advisory Council

The following students were recognized:

Auburn High School: Cecilia Fumo, Jessica Garcia, Tre’vonte Green, William Lewis, and Logan Nalley East High School: Isabella Galvan, Ben Gibbons, Alejandra Gonzalez, and Ella Gray

Guilford High School: Landon Bachta, Habiba Kamel, Stella Seminerio, and Reese Zediker Jefferson High School: Isabella Flores-Delgado and Aliana McKee

B. League of Women Voters Presentation

Sue Theden, President of the League of Women Voters, spoke their recent collaboration with the District. She spoke of two programs presented, the first, Teaching Democracy to fifth grade students at Ellis Elementary School. Rhonda Greer Robinson, Rockford NAACP Chapter President, spoke of the experience. Students had the opportunity to do a mock election, going home and asking a family member why they haven’t voted or are they going to vote. Moving forward, it is important for students to be engaged and the importance of voting. Conversations took place on different rules in school, and students had to vote on different events such as types of milk or homework or spending time with families. She gave out certificates for students who participated at Ellis Elementary. Carol Bailey, Chairperson of Voter Services Committee for the League of Women Voters, had Championship of Democracy certificates for all four high schools. Representatives from Auburn, East, Guilford, and Jefferson came to the front to accept the certificates. The schools allowed representatives to enter the classrooms and register students. More than 100 students registered to vote. Teachers and students were thanked.

3. Petitions & Communications

Ms. Pearson read the guidelines.

• Paul Nolley spoke in support of public bodies partnering with unions.

• Bill Bull spoke of classroom issues including lack of management and students using cell phones.

• Zoey Li spoke in opposition to changes made to Board Policy 7.150.

• Ann Rundall of her attendance at a lecture given by Bettina Love that included effectiveness of DEI.

• Paul Picker spoke of cell phone use in the classroom and the need to have it addressed.

• Jennifer Arias of her unhappiness with the District, of how a student was reinstated after threatening to bring a gun into the schools.

• John Tac Brantlee spoke of the Live, Learn, and Play event with Renewal Turning Point program.

• Claudia Marshall commented that the culture of the District is a problem and the need to change the central office.

• Elisa Williams spoke of questions and concerns she received regarding hiring of the new CHRO.

• Rickey Naylor recommended to the superintendent a program he has formed.

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

A. *FY25 Budget Attachment A

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. McCall to approve item 4A, FY25 Budget Attachment A. Yeas: Ms. Pearson, Mr. Schubert, Ms. McCall, Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Haley

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

B. *Incident IQ Help Desk Ticketing System

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. McCall to approve item 4B, Incident IQ Help Desk Ticketing System. Yeas: Mr. Schubert, Ms. McCall, Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

C. *SmartPass Digital Hall Pass and ID Software

Motion by Ms. McCall seconded by Ms. Haley to approve item 4C, SmartPass Digital Hall Pass and ID Software. Yeas: Ms. McCall, Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Schubert

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

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

A. *Board Policy 4.60 Operational Services; Purchases and Contracts

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. Haley to approve item 5A, Board Policy 4.60 Operational Services; Purchases and Contracts.

Yeas: Mr. Carpenters, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Schuberg, Ms. McCall

Absent: Ms. Stanford, Ms. Bennett

Approved: 5-0-2

B. *Board Policy 7.150 Students; Law Enforcement Agency Contact and Information

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded Ms. McCall to approve item 5B, Board Policy 7.150 Students; Law Enforcement Agency Contract and Information.

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

Absent: Ms. Stanford, Ms. Bennett

Approved: 5-0-2

6. *Consent Agenda – Performance and Monitoring Committee

A. Payroll

B. Accounts Payable

C. Purchase Orders(FY24)

D. Purchase Orders (FY25)

E. Contract Purchase Orders (FY24)

F. Contract Purchase Orders (FY25)

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

H. RPS Managed Work – Change Order Logs

I. Air Fare

J. Financial Results: March 2024 – Ms. Jamie Murry, CPA, Executive Director of Finance

K. ESSER – RPS Managed Work Change Order Log

L. IFB 24-57 Security Technician for Alarm System, Camera, & Keyless Access

M. FY25 Consolidated District Plan – Dr. Travis Woulfe, Executive Director of I&I

N. Recurring Professional Services Agreement – Flo Analytics – Michael Phillips, Chief Operations Officer

O. Paridad Consulting Agreement – Morgan Gallagher on behalf of Barbour Two-Way Language Immersion

P. Safe and Civil Schools CHAMPS for Constance Lane RESA Lincoln Schools – Morgan Gallagher

Q. Multi-Carrier Cell Repeater Installation and Programming Phase 2

R. Mackesey & Associates, LLC Contract Renewal for Kitchen Consulting & Design

S. Panorama Education

T. CDH Education Center – Mike Ryia, Executive Director of Special Education

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Ms. McCall to approve items not pulled in Paragraph 6, Performance and Monitoring Committee.

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

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

7. *Consent Items – Stakeholders Committee

A. IHSA 2024-2025 Renewal – Earl Dotson, Jr.

Motion by Ms. Haley seconded by Ms. McCall to approve item 7A, IHSA 2024-2025 Renewal. Yeas: Mr. Schubert, Ms. McCall, Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

8. *Consent Items – Planning Committee

A. IFB 24-42 Asbestos Abatement at Marshall E.S.

B. IFB 24-46 Interior & Exterior Door Replacement at Eight Schools

C. IFB 24-48 East H.S. & Jefferson H.S. Field Turf and Rubberized Tract

D. IFB 24-49 Summerdale ECC Parking Lot Renovations

E. IFB 24-51 Administration Building Infiltration & Site Improvements

F. IFB 24-53 Asbestos Abatement at Marshall M.S.

G. IFB 24054 CCEC Data Center Renovations Asbestos Abatement

Motion by Ms. McCall seconded by Mr. Carpenter to approve items not pulled in Paragraph 8, Planning Committee. Yeas: Ms. McCall, Mr. Carpenter, Ms. Haley, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Schubert

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

9. * Consent Items – Governance Committee

A. Meeting Minutes: 04-16-24

B. Memorandum of Understanding (REA) – REA Differential – Speech-Language Pathologist Differential

C. Memorandum of Understanding (REA) – Special Education Case Management Differential

D. Freedom of Information Log

Motion by Ms. Mcall seconded by Mr. Carpenter to approve Consent items not pulled in Paragraph 10, Governance Committee.

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

Absent: Ms. Stanford, Ms. Bennett

Approved: 5-0-2

10. *Closed Session Consent Items

A. Request for Administrative Transfer – TJ

B. Workers’ Compensation Settlement Agreement – TB

C. Appointment of Britton Solverson as 10 Month Elementary Dean assigned to West View Elementary School

D. Appointment of Shahrazad Sheikhali as 10 Month Elementary Dean assigned to Rolling Green

E. Appointment of Kristina Porzel as 10 Month Elementary Assistant Principal assigned to McIntosh

F. Appointment of Sarah Watson as 10 Month Assistant Principal assigned to Jefferson High School

G. Appointment of Cyrus Wimberly as 12 Month Assistant Principal assigned to Jefferson

H. Appointment of Taren Turner as 12 Month Director of Alternative Educational Programming assigned to the Administration Building.

I. Appointment of Sarah Brenner as 12 Month Executive Director of Schools assigned to the Administration Building

J. Appointment of Tucona Crowder as 12 Month Chief Human Resources Officer assigned to the Administration Building

K. HR Organizational Report

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Mr. Schubert to approve items not pulled in Paragraph 10, Closed Session Consent Items.

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

Absent: Ms. Stanford, Ms. Bennett

Approved: 5-0-2

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

A. H0093X-24 – the 10 day suspension is affirmed

B. H0105X-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.

C. H0106X-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.

D. H0108X-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. H0110X-24 – expelled for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the entire 2024-2025 school year.

F. H0111X-24 – expelled for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year through the entire 2024-2025 school year.

G. H0112X-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.

H. P0195X-24 – expelled for two (2) calendar years, through May 20, 2026.

I. P0212X-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.

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Mr. Schubert to approve Closed Session Consent Items not pulled Student Discipline, Suspension Appeals and Expulsions

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

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

12. *Closed Session Consent Items Student Discipline – EIAs

A. B0032-24

B. B0033-24

C. H0102-24

D. H0103-24

E. H0104-24

F. H0107-24

G. H0109-24

H. H0113-24 – Pulled by Administration

I. H0114-24

J. H0115-24

K. P0187-24

L. P0188-24

M. P0189-24

N. P0190-24

O. P0191-24

P. P0192-24 – Pulled by Mr. Carpenter

Page 5 of 7

Q. P0193-24

R. P0194-24

S. P0196-24

T. P0197-24

U. P0198-24

V. P0199-24

W. P0200-24

X. P0201-24

Y. P0202-24 – Pulled by Administration

Z. P0203-24

AA. P0204-24

BB. P0205-24

CC. P0206-24

DD. P0208-24

EE. P0209-24

FF. P0210-24

GG. P0213-24

HH. P0214-24

Motion by Mr. Carpenter seconded by Mr. Schubert to approve Closed Session Consent items not pulled, Student Discipline EIAs.

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

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 5-0-2

Vote for Closed Session Consent item pulled, Student Discipline EIAs, item 12P P0192-24

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

Abstain: Mr. Carpenter

Absent: Ms. Bennett, Ms. Stanford

Approved: 4-0-1-2

13. Superintendent’s Update

A. Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Jarrett

Dr. Jarrett ceded his time to Superintendent Student Advisory Council Representative Ben Gibbons. Ben spoke of being in the Senior Semester Program at Rock Valley College which is where he attends all his classes. He commented on how the District needs to change its testing policy, bringing back finals and strengthening the test redo policy especially when it concerns AP, dual credit, honors, and accelerated classes. He stated that he believes that students taking honors classes need to be prepped for college and without finals, students are being set up to fail. He spoke of his experience of going above and beyond especially when preparing for tests, as he wanted to be prepared for college, which accounted for his success at Rock Valley College. Ben shared his concerns regarding classmates who are going to college with difficult majors, with Rockford Promise scholarships, and not having the needed study habits for rigorous testing.

14. Board Member Comments/Other Business/New Business/Agenda Recommendations

• Ms. McCall attended Rockford Promise Night, which was a beautiful sight to see. She gave a shout-out to the Kennedy Middle School track team going to State and some students winning first place. She also commented on attending the Sankofa Event at Rock Valley College, a celebration for African American graduates. There were RPS students graduating with the dual degrees in various programs. She found it ironic that students were graduating with their associate’s degrees before they received their high school diplomas.

• Ms. Pearson recognized Kennedy’s track team. She spoke of many times hearing negative issues, which shouldn’t be overlooked, but wanted to congratulate Kennedy. Eisenhower Middle School and Guilford High School teams also made it State, and commented on how extracurricular activities boost District students. She recognized Jason Pope, Dr. Antoine Reed and their team, for their work in recruiting efforts of teachers. She also thanked teachers for their efforts and teaching and appreciated their concerns with the issues they face. Ms. Pearson welcomed back Ms. Jarmeise McNeal and congratulated her on her promotions. She expressed her thanks to Ms. McNeal for staying the course. Ms. Pearson spoke of her work with Dr. Jarrett, how sometimes they agree to disagree, and continue to find a way to work together. The only way to move ahead in the District is to make a greater effort to do what is necessary for the greater good of District students as well as the organization. She asked that everyone find a common ground and work with that. This includes taking ownership when one is wrong and making a decision to create plan that is workable that will bring success to the District. She also asked schools to respond to the cell phone issues in schools reminding everyone the District has a policy in place regarding cell phones.

15. Adjournment

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

Adjournment: 8:27 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/rps205/Board.nsf/files/D66P7H633553/$file/bm2024-05-21.pdf