ROCKFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS
Meeting Minutes
Administration Building
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
The regular meeting of the Rockford Board of Education was called to order by President Kenneth Scrivano at 5:01 p.m.
Present: President Kenneth Scrivano, Vice President Jude Makulec (arr. 5:02 p.m.), Secretary Michael Connor, Ms. Lisa
Jackson (arr. 5:36 p.m.), Mr. Tim Rollins, Mr. David Seigel, Mr. Jaime Escobedo
Absent: None
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel that the Board hold an executive session to consider the appointment,
compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of employees; the discipline of students; pending or imminent litigation;
collective bargaining matters; 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 5:01 p.m. until 6:54 p.m.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
1.
Call to Order – President Kenneth Scrivano called the regular meeting of the Rockford Board of Education to order at
7:09 p.m.
2.
Moment of Silence and Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
Present: President Kenneth Scrivano, Vice President Jude Makulec, Secretary Michael Connor, Ms. Lisa Jackson, Mr.
Tim Rollins, Mr. David Seigel, Mr. Jaime Escobedo
Absent: None
Mr. Scrivano thanked Jefferson AV student Rod Weddle for his assistance in running the cameras for the Board
Meeting.
4.
Recognitions
A. Rockford University Masters Cohort – Earl Dotson, Jr. – pulled by Administration
5.
Petitions & Communications
No public comments.
6.
Board Member Comments
 No Board Member Comments.
7.
*Consent Items
A. Meeting Minutes: 02/14/17
B. Payroll
C. Accounts Payable
D. Purchase Orders
E. Contracts Under $10,000
F. Construction Bid Pay Request Log
G. Travel
8.
*Bid Recommendations
A. IFB 17-24 East High School Scene Shop & Theater Support Remodeling – pulled by Administration
B. IFB 17-25 Rockford Public School District School A, Zone 2 – pulled by Ms. Jackson
C. IFB 17-26 Eisenhower Middle School HVAC and Roof Access Renovations – pulled by Administration
D. IFB 17-27 Lincoln Middle School Vertical Platform Lift – pulled by Administration
9.
*Recurring Contracts
A. Addendum to Truenorthlogic Web Site Development, Hosting and Services Agreement – Sarah Abate – Director,
HR – pulled by Ms. Jackson
B. FY17 Additional Short-Term Accounting Services – Ms. Nicole L. Thorn, Chief Financial Officer – pulled by Ms.
Jackson
C. Recurring Contract for Supplemental Online Services with Compass Learning/Edgenuity – Dr. Woulfe – pulled by
Ms. Jackson
10.
*Other Consent
A. Interest Transfer: January 2017 – Ms. MeriAnn Besonen, Executive Director of Finance
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11.
12.
13.
14.
B. Monthly Investment Report – January 2017 – Ms. MeriAnn Besonen, Executive Director of Finance
C. Financial Results YTD: January 2017 – Ms. MeriAnn Besonen, Executive Director of Finance
D. Freedom of Information Log
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve Consent items not pulled.
Approved: Unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Rollins seconded by Mr. Connor to approve Bid Recommendations pulled 8B, IFB 17-25 Rockford
Public School District School A, Zone 2.
Yeas: Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve Recurring Contracts pulled 9A – 9C, Addendum to
Truenorthlogic Web Site Development, Hosting and Services Agreement, FY17 Additional Short-Term Account
Services, Recurring Contract for Supplemental Online Services with Compass Learning/Edgenuity.
Yeas: Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
*Closed Session Consent Items
A. Appointment of Douglas Mitchell as 10 Month Dean
B. Appointment of Roman Gray, Jr. as 12 Month Internal Auditor
C. Appointment of Gary Griffin as 12 Month Dean
D. HR Organizational Report and Addendum
*Closed Session Consent Items – Student Discipline
“Unless otherwise modified below, the Board adopts and accepts the hearing officer’s findings and recommendations
in the following cases in which the students expelled or suspended are prohibited from being on school grounds and
school-sponsored activities without the prior written permission of the principal.”
A. GDM-4043-17 – pulled by Administration
B. GDM-4039-17 – expelled for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year and the entire 2017-2018 school year.
C. GDM-4042-17 – the expulsion is held in abeyance contingent upon an Expulsion in Abeyance Agreement for the
remainder of the 2016-2017 school year and the first semester of the 2016-2017 school year.
D. GDM-4044-17 – expelled for the remainder of the 2016-2017 school year the first semester of the 2017-2018
school year.
*Closed Session Consent Items – EIAs
A. GDM-3154-17 – pulled by Administration
B. GDM-3155-17
C. GDM-3156-17
D. GDM-3157-17
E. GDM-3158-17
F. GDM-3159-17
G. GDM-3160-17
H. GDM-3161-17
I. GDM-3162-17
J. GDM-3163-17
K. GDM-3164-17
L. GDM-3165-17
M. GDM-3166-17
N. GDM-3167-17
O. GDM-3168-17
P. GDM-3169-17
Q. GDM-3170-17
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Escobedo to approve Closed Session Consent items not pulled.
Yeas: Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano
Abstain: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-0-1
Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Jarrett
A. Superintendent’s Report
No report.
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15.
16.
Committee Reports
A. Education Committee – Mrs. Makulec
The Education Committee met Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Agenda items included the following:
Elevate K-12 – this is an online tutoring program for students. The focus will be on math and language arts. Committee
members recommended forwarding to the Board and requested the Board suspend the rules to consider it. This is
funded by Title I. The presentation may be viewed by clicking this link:
http://www.boarddocs.com/il/rps205/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=AJJTW46F7803. The second item presented to members was
the AVID program. This is a system/concept for teaching students to be a better student by being organized, learning
to take notes, and improving writing skills. Teachers have volunteered to attend the training. This is listed as new
business on the current agenda and the presentation may be viewed by clicking this link:
http://www.boarddocs.com/il/rps205/Board.nsf/files/AK7N3K5C99AF/$file/AVID%20Presentation%20ED%20Committe
e.pdf. The final item was an update on Special Programs. Special Programs include: Barbour Two-Way Language
Immersion Program, Gifted Academy, CAPA, Maria Montessori, and Haskell Year Round. This covered the number of
students currently in the program and the Strategic Planning process for them. The presentation may be viewed by
clicking on this link:
http://www.boarddocs.com/il/rps205/Board.nsf/files/AJNK78507209/$file/EC%202017.2.21%20Special%20Programs%
20Update.pdf.
The Education Committee will meet Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.
B. Finance Committee – Mr. Rollins
The Finance Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, March 6,
2017 at 5:30 p.m.
C. Operations Committee – Mr. Connor
The Operations Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March
7, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.
*Action Items
A. Board Policy 7.30 Students – Student Assignment and Intra-District Transfer – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations
Officer
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve item 16A, Board Policy 7.30 Students – Student
Assignment and Intra-District Transfer.
Yeas: Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
B. Elementary School Attendance Zones – Mr. Todd Schmidt
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve item 16B, Elementary Attendance Zones.
Yeas: Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
C. Intergovernmental Agreement with City of Rockford – Kishwaukee School Development Project – Todd Schmidt,
Chief Operations Officer
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve item 16C, Intergovernmental Agreement with City of
Rockford – Kishwaukee School Development Project.
Yeas: Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
Board members agreed to vote on items 16D – 16F with one motion and one vote.
D. Resolution for Authorization of Eminent Domain, 506 Gregory St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations
Officer
E. Resolution for Authorization of Eminent Domain, 509 Catlin St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations
Officer
F. Resolution for Authorization of Eminent Domain, 824 3rd St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations
Officer
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve items 16D – 16F, Resolution for Authorization of Eminent
Domain, 506 Gregory St., Rockford, IL., Resolution for Authorization of Eminent Domain, 509 Catlin St., Rockford, IL,
Resolution for Authorization of Eminent Domain, 824 3rd St., Rockford, IL.
Yeas: Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo
Nays: Ms. Jackson
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17.
Approved: 6-1-0
Board members agreed to vote on items 16G – 16J with one motion and one vote.
G. Real Estate Purchase, 510 Gregory St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations Officer
H. Real Estate Purchase & Rider, 608 Gregory St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations Officer
I. Real Estate Purchase & Rider, 614 Gregory St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations Officer
J. Real Estate Purchase, 816 S. 3rd St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations Officer
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve items 16G – 16J, Real Estate Purchase, 510 Gregory St.,
Rockford, IL, Real Estate Purchase & Rider, 608 Gregory St., Rockford, IL, Real Estate Purchase & Rider, 608
Gregory St., Rockford, IL, Real Estate Purchase, 816 S. 3rd St., Rockford, IL.
Yeas: Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
Other Business/New Business/Agenda Recommendations
The Administration has requested the Board to suspend the rules to consider the following item.
A. **Real Estate Purchase, 619 Catlin St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations Officer
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Rollins to suspend the rules to consider item 17A, Real Estate Purchase, 619
Catlin St., Rockford, IL.
The Administration is requesting the Board to suspend the rules to consider the real estate purchase as the
homeowner needs to close on their new residence prior to the March 14, 2017 meeting.
Approved: Unanimously
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Seigel to approve item 17A, Real Estate Purchase, 619 Catlin St., Rockford,
IL.
Yeas: Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel, Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
The Administration has requested the Board to suspend the rules to consider the following item.
B.
**Supplemental Tutoring with Elevate K-12 – Mr. Vosberg
Motion Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Escobedo to suspend the rules to consider 17B, Supplemental Tutoring with
Elevate K-12.
The Administration is requesting the Board suspend the rules to consider the agreement as the Education Committee
recommended this action at their 2/21/17 meeting.
Approved: Unanimously
Motion by Mr. Connor seconded by Mr. Rollins to approve item 17B, Supplemental Tutoring with Elevate K-12.
Yeas: Mr. Connor, Mr. Escobedo, Mr. Rollins, Mr. Scrivano, Mrs. Makulec, Mr. Seigel
Nays: Ms. Jackson
Approved: 6-1-0
C. Contract with Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) – Mr. Schroeder
Approval of the AVID Program will assist the District in closing student achievement gaps by preparing them for
academic success. The program offers a consistent approach to instruction, and consistent strategies using the
instructional framework based on WICOR; writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. It also teaches
students how to be better students and will professionally develop District teachers and building leaders. There are two
levels of AVID in secondary; AVID Elective is focused attention given to targeted students through an elective class
and AVID Schoolwide; strategies that are implemented in all classrooms. Schools implementing the system are:
Auburn, Barbour, Guilford, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, McIntosh, East, and Roosevelt. The fiscal impact is $100,806.
$27,000 is funded in Fund 10 and the remaining $73,806 is grant funded.
Concerns included:
 Not fully vetted at the Education Committee meeting.
 Only two middle schools are scheduled for implementation.
 How students are encouraged to add AVID as an elective.
 Contract terminology – AVID has the right to give a 30 day notice to terminate the contract and District is required
to pay the cost of the agreement.
 Annual fiscal impact of program.
Board members requested the Administration provide additional information:
 Summary of AVID Research Studies
 Total cost of program including ancillary costs (travel) and legacy costs.
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 Revise termination clause of contract.
 Clarification of program – elective versus opt-in.
This will return for a vote at the March 14, 2017 meeting.
D. Resolution for Authorization of Eminent Domain, 820 S. 3rd St., Rockford, IL – Todd Schmidt, Chief Operations
Officer
The District has not been able to reach an agreement with the property owner. Legal counsel advised the District
proceed with the resolution.
These will return for a vote at the March 14, 2017 meeting.
18.
Motion by Ms. Jackson to adjourn.
Adjournment: 8:41 p.m.
Approved: 03-14-17
President: Kenneth J. Scrivano /s/
Secretary: Michael S. Connor /s/
/ljf
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