July 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Regular Meeting

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 24, 2025 as well as the executive meeting minutes to remain confidential of June 24, 2025.

Description:  Mr. Mike Emendorfer, Athletic Director, will introduce new head coaches for the 2025 -26 school year. 

Description:  Dr. Williams, Superintendent, will present a draft of Committee of the Whole topics for the Board of Education to consider for the 2025 - 26 school year.

Description:  Dr. Sharon Williams and members of the Cabinet will present Illinois Association of School Boards Board Policy Updates from Issue 118.

Description:  Ms. Annaka Whiting, Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Joshua Becker, Director of Building Operations, will provide an update on the Facility Management Plan.

Description:  The Board of Education will conduct a hearing on the application for Waiver or Modification of State Board Rules and/or School Code Mandates. The application requests renewed approval for Rock Island High School Driver's Education program to incorporate classroom simulation alongside behind-the-wheel training as well as a waiver of associated driver's education costs.

Description:  Requests from persons wishing to speak on certain agenda items will be called upon at the appropriate time. 
Citizens wishing to address the Board of Education on items not on the agenda.  Comments should be limited to three (3) minutes.  (Matters regarding specific employees or students are of a confidential nature and will not be heard in open session.)

Description:  Opportunity will be given for the selection of items that need no discussion to be approved at the appropriate time on the agenda.  The following items are recommended for the Blanket Motion:

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract for service with Advantage Tree Service, 3100 Hickory Grove Road, Davenport, IA 52806 for tree trimming work not to exceed $35,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the proposal from DEM Services, Inc. 5316 W. 124th Street, Alsip, IL 60803, for a total contract amount of $121,365 for the asbestos removal in the Rock Island High School cafeteria.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract with Augustana College, 639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, at a cost not to exceed $25,000 for the use of swimming pool facilities during the 2025 -26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the software license renewal and database subscription for the BadgePass system through Armstrong Systems & Consulting Company, 5000 Tremont Avenue, Suite 400-D, Davenport, IA 52807 for $10,500 for the 2025 - 26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract with Black Hawk Special Education District (BHASED), 4670 11th Street, East Moline, IL 61244 not to exceed $2,600,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract for service for the K-12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program Alignment with Dr. Mathew Beck, 6215 Utica Ridge Road, #102, Davenport, IA 52807, for $12,500 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract with Brecht's Database Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 305, Highland, IL 62249 to provide Embrace software for medical service data for 5% of the total cost settlement for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the annual software license renewal for EvaluWise, 7156 Caton Farm Road, Plainfield, IL 60586 for $14,822.50 as the employee evaluation tool for the 2025 - 26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the annual license renewals of Applicant Tracking Absence and Substitute Management; Budget Management Analytics; Financial Planning; Comparative Analytics; and Frontline Central Solutions from Frontline Technologies, PO Box 780577, Philadelphia, PA 19178 not to for $77,230.68 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the subscription renewal of the GoGuardian Suite from Trafera, 2550 University Avenue, Suite 315-S, Saint Paul, MN 55114 at a cut of $38,400 for the 2025 -26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract for service with High Roads of the Quad Cities, P.O. Box 70023, Newark, NJ 07101 for specialized education services not to exceed $160,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract for services with L&L Floorcoverings, Inc., 4200 11th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, for district wide facility improvements and maintenance, not to exceed $35,000 for the 2025 -26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract renewal with LearnWell, 2 Main Street, Suite 2A, Plymouth, MA 02360 for academic instruction services, not to exceed $30,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract with Logan River Academy, 1683 State Highway 89/91, Logan, UT 84321 to provide residential educational and therapeutic services for students with intensive specialized needs, not to exceed $250,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract with Menta Education Group, 195 Poplar Avenue, North Aurora, IL 60542 to provide specialized education services and transportation costs for qualifying students not to exceed $240,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the curriculum subscription renewal purchase from Navigate 360, LLC, 3900 Kinross Lakes Parkway, Suite 200, Richfield, OH 44286 in the amount of #27,127.14 for the 2025 -26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the renewed software contract for service for Newsela, 500 5th Avenue, Floor 28, New York, NY to provide curriculum and supplemental learning resources for 9th - 12th grade teachers in the amount of $100,915.32 for the 2025 - 20 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve School Specialty, LLC, PO Box 1579, Appleton, WI 54912, to provide district-wide education supplies not to exceed $20,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the contract for service with Tri-City Electric Security Solutions to provide security-related services not to exceed $200,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve a contract for service with Tri-State Travel, 530 W. 76th Street, Davenport, IA 52806 to provide transportation to various school events not to exceed $70,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the lease agreement with Vibrant Arena, 1201 River Drive, Moline, IL 61265, for the 2026 Rock Island High School Commencement Ceremony at a cost of $20,706.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education authorize bills for payment dated June 30, 2025, in the amount of $6,269,497.17 as well as the bills for payment dated July 15, 2025, in the amount of $5,069,257.43.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the attached list of donations.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the overnight field trip request for the Rock Island High School Boys Soccer Team to Bradley, Illinois from August 29 - 30, 2025 for the Bradley Bourbonnais High School Soccer Tournament.

It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the overnight field trip request for the Rock Island High School Boys Soccer Team to the Chicago, Illinois area to attend an Athletic Showcase at the De La Salle Institute from October 3 - 4, 2025.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the purchase of 14 cafeteria tables from The Larson Company, 1000 E. State Parkway, Unit F, Schaumberg, IL 60173 not to exceed $28,755 for the 2025- 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the purchase of two convection ovens from Stafford-Smith, Inc. W226 N825 Eastmound Drive, Suite B, Waukesha, WI 53186 not to exceed $27,702.96 in the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the purchase of one single-door refrigerator and two milk coolers from Cook's Direct Inc., 2250 75th Street, Suite 200, Woodridge, IL 60517 not to exceed $12,084.29 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the MOU with the Rock Island Education Association (RIEA) to clarify the contract for service process for hiring Psychologists going forward. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the Physical Education Exemption for Coursework as presented. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve Russell Construction to enter into contracts for the various scopes of work to construct the Aquatic Center at the Rock Island High School for the overall cost of $16,035,436 to be paid from the 2025 bond proceeds.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the purchase of spectator and team bleachers from Carroll Seating, 1360 Wood Dale Road, Suite A, Wood Dale, IL 60191 not to exceed $113,000. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the rental chiller from JL Brady Company, 4831 41st Street, Moline, IL 61265 at a cost not to exceed $75,873 for the 2025 -26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve IMEG to complete utility locates at Eugene Field ES and Rock Island Academy, at a cost of $4,600 per site for a total cost of $9,200. The request brings our total expenditures with IMEG over the $10,000 Board Policy threshold for FY26.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following certified appointments for the 2025 - 26 school year: Aaron Baresel, Olivia Bowman, Bailey Brockhouse, Patrick Brown, Stacey Nordeen, Emerald Pierson, Jeffrey Rose, Brittany Witt, Dana Dunnett and Mindy Webster.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following non-certified appointments for the 2025 - 26 school year: Kimberly Amesquita, Erin Anderson, Stephanie Bjork, Janet Brown, Brenda Catahay, Edie Crayne, Sara Daniels, Jodi Doyle, Hannah Fuessel, Jason Jaquet, Hannah Kaffenberger, Rita Lawrence, Ja'Taya Lee, Sylvester Lucas, Caitriona McGrath-Nagle, Christie Nava, Ramona Stephens, and Keonna Zeigler.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following certified internal transfers for the 2025 - 26 school year: Amber Grant, Mariah Martinez, and Sarah McCoy. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the internal non-certified transfer for the 2025 - 26 school year of Allison Young. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following certified internal transfers for the 2025 - 26 school year: Tanya Hepner, Daniel Nelson, Andrea Parer, and Timothy Seward.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following certified support coach appointments for the 2025 - 26 school year of Bridget Taheny, Ellery Stewart and Christopher Versluis.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following non-certified support coach appointments for the 2025 - 26 school year: Addison Bromelyn, Earl Fleming, Laticia McCreay, Sienna Mikaio, Truth Vesey, Terell Williams, and Jacob Wyers.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the certified resignations of Eliana Aquilar, Vocal Music Teacher at Longfellow with two years of service and Jennifer Woolsey, Instructional Coach District wide with less than one (1) year of service during the 2024 -25 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the non-certified resignations of Jennifer McVay, Benefits Coordinator Human Resources Assistant at the Administration Center with eleven (11) years experience with a revised date of 8/29/2025, and Krystall Trice, Lead Family and Community Engagement Liaison with eight (8) years experience effective 9/5/2025.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the certified retirements during the 2024 -25 school year of Candace Vromen-Lopez, Special Education Teacher at Earl Hanson Elementary School with thirty-three (33) years of service and Michael Tollenaer, Band Teacher at Edison Junior High School, with thirty-four (34) years of service. 

Description:  The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Hope Moses, who requested copies of public records regarding District 41 Superintendent Sharon Williams' full employment contract, including, but not limited to, any documents pertaining to bonuses, expense reimbursements and contract modifications over time. 

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Olivia Allen, who requested a copy of any and all documents that list  Rock Island - Milan School District 41 employees on administrative leave within the past two months and a copy of any written or electronic communications between former Rock Island - Milan School Board President Terell Williams and Rock Island - Milan Superintendent Sharon Williams within the past two months.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Madison McAdoo, who requested a May 12 letter about Deputy Superintendent Jeff Dase and any/all emails about a May 8 incident involving Deputy Superintendent Jeff Dase.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Corinthia Dothard, who requested any letters or memoranda notifying Deputy Superintendent Jeff Dase of his administrative leave, including documentation outlining the reasons of terms of leave.  Any disciplinary records, complaints, or investigations related to Mr. Dase from the past year of employment. 

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to CT Mills, who requested access to public records in the form of a current staff contact directory for the district. 

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Owen Wang, who requested information regarding the number of students and sponsorship of students traveling to the annual Mu Alpha Theta convention.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Craig Harper, who requested video footage captured by the exterior camera(s) covering the front entrance and bench of Earl Hanson Elementary School during the time period spanning 5:00 PM June 25, 2025, and 11:00 AM June 30, 2025.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Kyrie Reitz, who requested the number of people (union members) who are having dues withdrawn from their paychecks for the first pay period in June 2025, as well as the total number of people covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the attached information regarding 2024 -25 fundraising events in the district.  Over $172,700 was raised with a net profit of just over $128,486.  

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the application for Waiver or Modification of State Board Rules and/or School Code Mandates requesting that the Rock Island High School Driver's Education program use classroom simulation and actual behind the wheel training as presented.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the renewal of the waiver for ILCS 17-1.5 assessment of a fee greater than $300 for Driver's Education through the 2030 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the appointment of Mr. David Hobin to the position of Dean at Rock Island High School at a salary of $107,505 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the annual agreement for the School Resource Officer (SRO) between the City of Rock Island (RI) and the Board of Education (BoE) of Rock Island - Milan School District for $168,069.71 for the 2025 -26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education adopt the newly ratified Rock Island Educational Support Personnel Association (RIESPA) Collective Bargaining agreement for the 2025 - 2028 school years.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the transfer of Gretchen Hampsey from Accounting Supervisor to Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting effective July 1, 2025, at a salary of $116,483 for the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the transfer of Jennifer Walthall from Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting to Accounting Supervisor effective July 1, 2025 at a salary of $92,128 for the 2025 -26 school year.  

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education move to executive session to discuss pending litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probably or imminent, in which case the basis for the finding shall be recorded and entered into the minutes of the closed meeting. 5 ILCS120/2(c)(11). In addition to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).  Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2).