The Rock Island City Council met with the Rock Island/Milan School District #41 representatives in a joint special session at 5:00 p.m. in the Rock Island High School Library. Present were Mayor Mark W. Schwiebert, Aldermen David A. Conroy, Dennis E. Pauley, Daniel Rockwell, Joy Murphy, and Charles O. Austin III. Absent were Aldermen Terry M. A. Brooks I and Evelyn "Evie" R. White. Also present was City Manager John Phillips, Community and Economic Development Director Greg Champagne, Planning & Redevelopment Administrator Alan Carmen, Martin Luther King Community Center Director Jerry Jones, Personnel Director/Assistant to the City Manager John Thorson, Chief of Police John Wright, Marketing Director Jennifer Fowler, Superintendent of Schools Rick Loy, members of the School District #41 Board and members of the School District staff.
Superintendent Loy called the meeting to order giving a brief explanation of the benefits of these joint meetings, which are held once or twice each year. Mr. Loy started the meeting with discussion of the Rock Island Primary and Intermediate Academies informing they have had a busy and productive first year. He advised the major emphasis has been the identification and standardization of specific learning standards for the areas of reading, writing and math. The academies’ goals are to have students performing at a level that is appropriate for their grade level. They have established relationships with several community partners, including Modern Woodmen of America, Blackhawk State Bank, and Thoms Proestler Company. He advised that there are approximately 200 volunteers actively working with the students on a regular basis. These volunteers provide tutoring services, mentoring, and volunteer assistance for a variety of events. He advised there has been discussion with several local agencies to provide services such as health and well being for families.
Principal Terrence Martin discussed the Freshman Academy, a program designed to promote a successful transition to high school, establishing the habits and skills necessary for achievement at a high level in a challenging academic environment. He advised this stemmed from President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which was signed into law in January 2002. He informed the Academy’s goals are to increase the promotion rate among incoming freshman students, decrease failure average by percentage points in the second semester, decrease the amount of students with 9 or more absences by percentage, and decrease the number of discipline referrals for 1st year by ˝ of the previous year.
Rock Island/Milan School District Assistant Superintendent/Pupil Personnel Services Kay Ingham spoke on the Thurgood Marshall Academy advising the need to move to a new building for more space. She advised four alternative sites were visited in Moline, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Clinton and some great ideas were observed and implemented for program expansion. It was noted that there were eight graduates last year, which was more than in the last five years.
Associate Superintendent for Operations and Quality Mike Oberhaus discussed the District’s budget advising the economy is turning around and the State has available funding. He advised the District has a balanced budget this year; however, next year may bring a $2 million deficit. Mr. Oberhaus advised that on school funding for every $1.00 generated the school loses $.60 or (60%) from State aid. One possible suggestion for funding would be to switch from property tax to income tax and it may come to the City next year for a resolution. He then discussed the Long Range Facility Study and its research and outcome. He discussed enrollment, which stands at approximately 5800 K-12 and 400 Pre-K, which has dropped approximately 200 in the past two years.
Superintendent Loy talked about an impressive number of recognition awards students, teachers, and the schools have received from various programs. He then turned the meeting over to the City.
Community and Economic Development Director Greg Champagne talked about the new Casino Rock Island project with tentative groundbreaking for the spring with construction completion to be 18-24 months after that. He talked about the new Norcross Safety Projects expansion project, which is one of the City’s larger employers. Mr. Champagne advised that Council just approved a development agreement with Wheelan Funeral Home to build a new 12,000 square foot funeral home. He touched base on the status of the Hy-Vee Store project, the new Hilltop Center at 18th Avenue and 30th Street, and the new project at 30th Street and Blackhawk Road. Mr. Champagne spoke about the new housing developments in Rock Island at Chippiannock Trails, College Hill and Voss Lofts. He updated on the Columbia Park plan, the Armory/Armory Park plan and the New Old Chicago project.
City Manager John Phillips talked about the City’s School Resource Officer and the positive effect this program is having on both the schools and the students. He talked about the 8-year relationship between Audubon School and Rock Island City employees, advising that there are 15 employees who volunteer their time on a regular basis and raised $450 to give to the school. He also advised of the 20 students who have job shadowed through 8 departments of the City. He touched base on YouthBuild and their fundraising in the future. Mr. Phillips spoke of the positive effect the Martin Luther King Jr. Center has on the kids in the schools and the community and the various programs affiliated through the King Center. He also advised of the strong successful bond between the Neighborhood Partners and the Academies and of a newsletter, which came about through donations and will be distributed to residents informing of school and volunteer activities. He also advised of a Neighborhood Rendezvous on March 30 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hauberg Center and interested citizens can contact Jill Doak at 732-2903 for more information.
Mr. Phillips then discussed the desire for a Public Safety Career Program to be established between the schools and the City to promote Rock Island youth to become Police Officers or Firefighters. Mayor Schwiebert made mention of a possible City-sponsored Explorer Program. Discussion was positive with regard to this idea.
Community Marketing Director Jennifer Fowler gave an update on the past Rock Solid Rock Island Program and the marketing campaign promoting this program. She advised of the ads that were placed with the various media and gave statistics gathered from a recent survey.
Mayor Schwiebert inquired as to the future goals and standards of the Academies. Mr. Loy advised of five core issues which are getting the right team and the right type of training, getting the parents involved, getting the community involved, the proper curriculum, and making State standards, which he advised are all falling into place and on track.
School Board President Cleaver expressed his gratitude regarding the continuity and longevity between the school and the city and the positive outcomes of this relationship.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
____________________________________
Cynthia A. Neiggemann, City Clerk