Regular Meeting of the Board of Education – April 20, 2015
The Board of Education of Rockridge Community Unit School District #300, Rock Island and Mercer
Counties, Illinois, met in regular session in the library at Rockridge High School on Monday, April
20, 2015. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m., by President Jeff Widdop.
Present:
Absent:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods, Janet Flaherty,
Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
None
The Board of Education and community members in the audience stood and recited the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Haylee Boden and Aaron Wheatley.
Good News – 1) RHS Special Education department received seven new Chromebooks through a
STEP grant; 2) Blood Drive at Rockridge High School provided 105 donations; 3) Asplundh Tree
Service donated tree trimming services to the district in exchange for parking space.
Congratulations were extended to the RHS Boys Basketball team on their 3rd place finish at the IHSA
State Finals. Bryan Heath was also named 1st team All-State, Argus-Dispatch Player of the Year and
1st team All-Conference. Luke Johnson and Gentry Whiteman were named to 2nd team AllConference. Coach Toby Whiteman was named Three Rivers Conference Coach of the Year.
Mitchell Wheeler and Steen Steiner advanced to state WYSE competition in Physics. Mitchell placed
6th at the State competition. Congratulations to Mitchell and Steven.
Approve/Recognize
Items on Consent Agenda
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Steve Frakes, to approve/recognize the
following items on the consent agenda: 1) minutes of the March 9, 2015
regular and executive session meeting; March 31, 2015 special and
executive session meeting; April 15, 2015 special and executive session
meeting; 2) payroll bills for the month of April (Education Fund-$580,147.27;
O&M-$0.00; Transportation Fund-$36,691.94; IMRF-$29,723.79; Tort-$30,207.46);
3) miscellaneous bills for the month of April (Education Fund-$94,560.20;
O&M Fund-$71,529.82; Transportation Fund-$28,297.06; Tort-$6,059.00; Fire/Life
Safety-$122,644.35); 4) monthly Principal/Technology Director/Curriculum
Director/Transportation Director reports; 5) monthly Activity Fund
Reports; 6) Blackhawk Division meeting of IASB – May 5, 2015, The
Cellar – Geneseo; 7) Rockridge High School Prom – Saturday, April 25,
2015; 8) Rockridge High School Graduation – Sunday, May 24, 2015 –
2:00 p.m.; 9) Rockridge High School Academic Achievement Awards –
Wednesday, May 13, 2015; 10) Statement of Economic Interest due May
1, 2015; 11) Sunday facility usage request for “Fight for Foy” charity walk
on May 3rd; 12) declare computer equipment as surplus; 13) resignation
of Cheryl Peters as RJH/HS cafeteria cashier effective end of 2014-15
school year; 14) Sunday usage request for Girl Scouts Green & White
Ceremony on May 31, 2015; 15) Rockridge Junior High Promotion –
Thursday, June 4, 2015; 16) resignation of Tyson Blaser as RJHS 7th
Grade Boys Basketball Coach effective end of 2014-2015 school year; 17)
resignation of Tyler Matlick as RJHS 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach
effective end of 2014-2015 school year; 18) annual membership into the
Illinois Elementary School Association for 2015-2016.
Minutes – Board of Education Meeting
April 20, 2015
Page 2
Roll Call:
Ayes:
Nays:
Motion carried:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
None
7-0
Superintendent Lien presented the following financial reports: a) Financial Statement balances ending
March 31, 2015 (no interfund loans were made during March), b) 2014/2015 Revenues/Expenditures through
March 31, 2015; c) Third Quarter Report July-March, 2015; d) Lunch Report with an end of March,
2015 balance of $22,404.91 e) Cash Flow Report for Education, O&M, and Transportation Funds; f)
Oda B. Shaw Financial Report with an end of March 2015 balance of $496,638.98.
Taylor Hitchcock is the Rockridge Milan Area Rotary Student of the Month for April. She is the
daughter of John and Tracey Hitchcock of Taylor Ridge. Congratulations to Taylor.
Haylee Boden and Aaron Wheatley were recognized as Elementary Students of the Month. Haylee is
the daughter of Greg and Sarah Boden of Taylor Ridge. Aaron is the son of Ryan and Valerie Morford
of Taylor Ridge. Congratulations to Haylee and Aaron!
Thursday, April 30, 2015 was set as the next Board of Education meeting. It will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Canvassing of the vote from the recent election and reorganization will be the two main purposes.
Meeting dates and times will be set for the remainder of the year at the reorganization meeting.
The Board reviewed/discussed: 1) Pre-K grant; 2) Classified Staff meeting dates; 3) Superintendent
timeline search.
Bill Phillips and Matt Longnecker, Phillips and Associates, presented an update on several upcoming
health/life safety projects. Discussion regarding the upcoming parking lot and the possible addition
of the teachers lot was held. A hearing will be conducted prior to the beginning of the reorganization
meeting.
Approve Hlt/LSafety
Pkg Lot Pving
Roll Call:
Accept/PreK
Grant
Roll Call:
Motion by Heidi Schultz, second by Nathan Faith, to award health/life
safety bid for north parking lot paving to Valley Construction in the
amount of $396,777.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Janet Flaherty, second by Heidi Schultz, to approve acceptance
of Preschool Grant from Illinois State Board of Education.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Minutes – Board of Education Meeting
April 20, 2015
Page 3
Go to Executive
Session
Motion by Janet Flaherty, second by Jeff Widdop, to adjourn to executive
session at 7:42 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation,
discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the District
[5ILCS 120/2(c) (1)]
Roll Call:
Ayes:
Nays:
Motion carried:
Return to
Open Session
Roll Call:
T.Whiteman/RHS
Phys Ed
Roll Call:
V.Kline/RHS
English
Roll Call:
V.Kline/RHS
Varsity VB Coach
Roll Call:
T.Whiteman/RHS
BBB Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
None
7-0
Motion by Nathan Faith, second by Bill Woods, to return to open session
at 8:30 p.m.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Janet Flaherty, to approve the transfer
request of Toby Whitemen to Rockridge High School Physical Education
effective 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Janet Flaherty, second by Steve Frakes, to approve the hiring
of Valerie Kline as Rockridge High School English teacher effective
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Steve Frakes, second by Bill Woods, to approve the hiring of
Valerie Kline as Rockridge High School Varsity Volleyball Coach for
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Steve Frakes, second by Janet Flaherty, to approve the rehiring
of Toby Whiteman as Rockridge High School Boys Basketball Coach for
2015-2016 school year..
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Minutes – Board of Education Meeting
April 20, 2015
Page 4
S.Strachan/RHS
GBB Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
L.Smith/RHS
WR Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
J.Stanforth/RHS
Cheer Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
G.Hahn/RHS BBB
Cheer Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
D.Parchert/RHS
Dance Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Janet Flaherty, to approve the rehiring
of Shawn Strachan as Rockridge High School Girls Basketball Coach for
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Nathan Faith, second by Dustin Joy, to approve the rehiring
of Lucas Smith as Rockridge High School Wrestling Coach for
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Nathan Faith, to approve the rehiring
of Joey Stanforth as Rockridge High School Head Competitive/Wrestling
Cheerleading Coach for 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Janet Flaherty, second by Bill Woods, to approve the rehiring
of Gail Hahn as Rockridge High School Boys Basketball Cheerleading
Coach for 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Heidi Schultz , second by Nathan Faith, to approve the rehiring
of Deanna Parchert as Rockridge High School Dance Coach for 20152016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Minutes – Board of Education Meeting
April 20, 2015
Page 5
L.Freyermuth/RJHS
VB Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
C.Lopez/RJHS
VB Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
P.Lynch/RJHS
AD Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
A.Bizarri/RJHS
St Coun/rehire
Roll Call:
M.Steiner/RJHS
Speech Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Steve Frakes, to approve the rehiring
of Liane Freyermuth as Rockridge Junior High 7th Grade Volleyball
Coach for 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Pass:
Jeff Widdop
Motion carried: 6-0
Motion by Janet Flaherty, second by Nathan Faith, to approve the rehiring
of Candy Lopez as Rockridge Junior High 8th Grade Volleyball Coach for
2015-2016 school year..
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Steve Frakes, second by Bill Woods, to approve the rehiring
of Patrick Lynch as Rockridge Junior High Athletic Director for
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Heidi Schultz, second by Janet Flaherty, to approve the rehiring
of Amber Bizarri as Rockridge Junior High Student Council Coordinator
for 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Nathan Faith, second by Janet Flaherty, to approve the rehiring
of Marge Steiner as Rockridge Junior High Speech Coach for 2015-2016
school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Minutes – Board of Education Meeting
April 20, 2015
Page 6
R.Fetterer/RJHS
FB Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
C.Bishop/RJHS
FB Coach/rehire
Roll Call:
J.Kroener/RHS
Soc Studies
Roll Call:
J.Griffith/FT PreK/
ICE
Roll Call:
C.Busard/RtI/Title I
Roll Call:
Motion by Janet Flaherty, second by Bill Woods, to approve the rehiring
of Rick Fetterer as Rockridge Junior High 8th Grade Football Coach for
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Steve Frakes, second by Nathan Faith, to approve the rehiring
of Cory Bishop as Rockridge Junior High 7th Grade Football Coach for
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Dustin Joy, second by Nathan Faith, to approve the hiring of
John Kroener as Rockridge High School Social Studies teacher effective
2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Nathan Faith, to approve the
reassignment of Janet Griffith as full-time Pre-K teacher at Illinois City
Elementary for 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Steve Frakes, second by Janet Flaherty, to approve the
reassignment of Chrissy Busard as part-time RtI/part-time Title I teacher
at Illinois City Elementary for 2015-2016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Minutes – Board of Education Meeting
April 20, 2015
Page 7
C.Parchert/ICE
2nd Grade
Roll Call:
S.Rowland/RJ/HS
Cashier
Roll Call:
Adjourn
Meeting
Roll Call:
Motion by Dustin Joy, second by Bill Woods, to approve the hiring of
Carol Parchert as 2nd Grade teacher at Illinois City Elementary for 20152016 school year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Bill Woods, second by Nathan Faith, to approve hiring Sherry
Rowland as cashier at Rockridge Jr/Sr High School for 2015-2016 school
year.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
Motion by Nathan Faith, second by Janet Flaherty, to adjourn the meeting
at 8:38 p.m.
Ayes:
Jeff Widdop, Steve Frakes, Heidi Schultz, Bill Woods,
Janet Flaherty, Dustin Joy, Nathan Faith
Nays:
None
Motion carried: 7-0
________________________________
Jeff Widdop, President
____________________________________
Heidi Schultz, Secretary