February 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Committee of the Whole Meeting

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the February 10, 2026, regular meeting minutes as well as the February 10, 2026, executive session minutes to remain confidential. 

Description:  Mr. Jadiem Wilson, Principal, will give a presentation on Ridgewood Elementary School.

Description:  Dr. Sharon Williams, Superintendent and Ms. Annaka Whiting, Chief Financial Officer, will present updates to Building Our Future, Facilities Management Plan.

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 updated contract with The Menta Education Group, 195 Poplar Avenue, North Aurora, IL 60542, not to exceed $600,000 for the 2025 - 26 school year.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education authorize bills for payment dated February 13, 2026, in the amount of $5,255,035.58.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the overnight field trip request for the Rock Island High School Softball team to attend games during the IHSA State Series from May 17, 2026, through June 6, 2026.  Locations in the state of Illinois are still being determined.

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 following non-certified appointments during the 2025 - 26 school year: Beverly Babers, Megan Baker, Joann de Leon, Sierra Divarco, Miranda Phillips, Stephanie Rossi, and Angel Winfrey.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the certified internal transfer of Margaret Benevides for the 2026 - 27 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the non-certified internal transfer of Ayanna Ward during the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the non-certified coach appointment of Brittney Hart during the 2025 - 26 school year. 

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education accept the certified retirement of Jeffry Martin, Music Teacher at Denkmann Elementary, with thirty-two (32) years of service effective June 4, 2026.

Description:  The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Jenny Hipskind, who requested any letters or memoranda notifying Deputy Superintendent Jeff Dase of his administrative leave, including documentation outlining the reasons or terms of the leave. She also asked for any disciplinary records, complaints, or investigations related to Mr. Dase from April 2025 to the current date. 

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to CT Mills, who requested copies of existing records that describe purchasing or contracting approval authority within the district. Including policies, schedules, or tables that identify: dollar thresholds required approval by school administrators; dollar thresholds requiring approval by central office staff or department leadership; dollar thresholds requiring approval by the superintendent or designee; and dollar thresholds requiring approval by the board of education.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Oshea Smith, who requested copies of the most recent contracts, agreements, amendments, and renewals by Rock Island - Milan School District 41 from January 1, 2020, through January 29, 2026, in connection with the following vendors: Mastery Prep, Albert.io, IXL, Edgenuity, Khan Academy, Jumpstart, Texas College Bridge, Kaplan, Princeton Review, Uworld, Cambridge Educational Services, Schmoop, Progress Learning, HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Layne Bradley, who requested directory information for the 2025 - 26 school year listing female students, including those who identify as female, in grades Pre-K through 8th grade, with the following information: first name, last name, date of birth, home address, phone number, school, and grade level.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Michael Henry, who requested information regarding the District's legal counsel, Board member background checks, and certain bond issuances.

The district received a FOIA request and responded within the required timeframe to Jacob Pearlman, who requested copies of any and all emails, correspondence, communications and/or letters from January 1, 2024, through February 13, 2026, involving Andrea Gilman and Jenny Hipskind.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve Robert DeMeyer as Interim Director of Building Operations, with compensation based on the Step 1 salary for the permanent position, anticipated through May 15, 2026.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the unpaid suspension of employee (26.19.8).

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).