Rock Island-Milan School District #41 Reginald Lawrence Il, Ed.D., Superintendent April 27, 2023 Ms, Jenny Hipskind 3003 Park 16" Street Moline, IL 61265 Jenny.hipskind@wad.com Re: FOIA response On April 25, 2023, the School District received the following Freedom of Information Act request from you: A copy of the most recent contract that Dr. Reginald Lawrence signed for employment with RIMSD-41. Also looking for information as to the length of the commitment, sal- ary, and/or contract buy-outs/compensation if contract is terminated. Attached is the FOIA response: If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Jennifer Barton FOIA Officer Jennifer Barton, CFO Rock Island-Milan School District #41 2101 6th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201 309-793-5900 x 10221 | 309-793-5905 fax jennifer.barton@rimsd41.org | ww.rimsd41 org RIM 2025: Pipeline to a Productive FutureCOPY FINAL FOR SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE BASED SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT. Guly 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025) THIS AGREEMENT is made by and between the Board of Education (the "Board") of Rock Island School District No. 41, Rock Island County, Illinois (the "School District") and Dr. Reginald Lawrence, Il. This Superintendent's Employment Contract (“Contract”) hereby replaces and supersedes any contract of employment currently in effect between the Parties as of the commencement date of this Contract as such date is set forth below in Paragraph 1. This Agreement constitutes a successor administrative performance based employment contract entered into during the term of an existing, predecessor administrative performance based employment contract. In accordance with the provision in 105 ILCS 5/10-23.8 of The Illinois School Code, the Superintendent and Board confirm and acknowledge that the Superintendent has met the goals and indicators of student performance and academic achievement, as stated in the original, predecessor contract, In consideration of the mutual promises herein contained, the Board and Dr. Lawrence agree as follows: 1. EMPLOYMENT. In accordance with the provisions of Section 10-23.8 of the School Code of Illinois (105 ILCS 5/10-23.8), Dr. Lawrence is hereby employed as the Superintendent of Schools (the "Superintendent’) under this multi-year performance-based Contract for the period beginning July 1, 2021, and extending through June 30, 2025 ("Contract"), The contract year under this Contract for the Superintendent is July I through the immediately following June 30. 2. DUTIES. The duties of the Superintendent shall be those duties prescribed by the laws and regulations of the State of Illinois and by the policies, regulations and directions of the 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE Board, all of the foregoing as may be amended or modified from time to time, and as are reasonably tal to the position of Superintendent. 3. COMPENSATION. The Board agrees to pay the Superintendent for the faithful discharge of duties as Superintendent of Schools, $205,375.00 for the 2021-2022 school year. For the subsequent contract years, the Board will increase the Superintendent's base salary by 3.5% over the prior year’s base salary, without entering into a new contract or extending the term of this Contract; provided, however, no increase shall be paid to the extent to which such increase would result in creditable earnings under the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) so as to cause the imposition of a penalty on the School District by TRS. The annual salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with the policy of the Board governing payment of salary to other members of the professional staff. In addition to the salary provided for in this Contract, the Board shall pick up and pay on behalf of the Superintendent, all retirement contributions to the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) at a rate not to exceed 9.0% and the Teacher's Health Insurance (THIS) Security Fund contributions paid to TRS at the then current rate. The Board shall also pick up and pay any additional contributions to TRS as a deduction from the Superintendent's compensation. Although designated as employee contributions, such contributions are being paid by the Board in lieu of contributions by the Superintendent and are being picked up pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, Section 4 | 4(h)(2), as amended. The Superintendent shall not have the option of choosing to receive the contributed amounts directly instead of having them Paid by the Board to the Teachers’ Retirement ‘System and the Teachers’ Health Insurance Security Fund. There shall also be deducted from each payment to the Superintendent the amount required by law for Federal and State income taxes and other such deductions as are required by law. 28958781FINAL FOR SIGNATURE 4. MID YEAR REVIEW. Annually, but no later than November 15 of each Contract year, the Board shall conduct a mid-year review with the Superintendent on his progress toward established goals, and his working relationships with the Board, the faculty, the staff and the ‘community. This mid-year review shall be in addition to the annual performance review required in Section 5 of this Contract. 5. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS. This is a performance-based contract, the goals of which are set forth in the attached Exhibit A. Accomplishment of the goals, as may be amended from time to time, will enhance student performance and achieve academic improvement, Prior to the end of July of each year of this Contract, the parties shall meet to establish additional School District performance goals and objectives for that school year in accordance with Section 10-23.8 of the Illinois School Code and such goals and objectives shall be reduced to writing. A primary measure of the performance and effectiveness of the Superintendent each Contract year shall be whether the Superintendent has accomplished the goals for that Contract year and has made adequate progress toward completion ofthe goals which are to be accomplished in a later contract year, as such goals are set by the Board in consultation with the Superintendent. ‘Subsequent to the establishment of the goals and objectives referred to in this Section, each year the Board and Superintendent shall meet and attempt in good faith to mutually agree upon the evaluation format. The Board shall attempt to determine the evaluation format by September 30 of each year of this Contract. This format shall include the goals and objectives established Pursuant to this Section of this Contract. The Board and the Superintendent recognize that achievement of the goals and improvement of student academic performance are dependent on continued Board support of the 3 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE goals. The Board and the Superintendent also recognize that circumstances beyond the control of the Board and/or the Superintendent may prevent attainment, or require modification, of any of the goals. In such circumstances or where the Board is unwilling or unable to support the goals, the Board, in consultation with the Superintendent, will modify or delete any of the goals as appropriate. No later than March 31. of each year of this Contract, the Board shall conduct its annual performance review with the Superintendent and review his progress toward the established goals and objectives and his overall performance, including his working relationships among the Board, the faculty, the staff and the community. Failure to meet established goals can result in termination for cause under Section 14 of the Contract, ‘The Board may terminate or non-renew this Contract even if the evaluation requirements of this Contract have not been s ied, BENEFITS. The benefits provided to the Superintendent m this Contract supersede any benefits otherwise offered by the Board to administrators. A, Sick and Personal Leave. For each Contract year, the Superintendent shall be entitled to fifteen (15) sick leave days and three (3) personal leave days, the unused number of which shall be cumulative to the maximum allowable under the Negotiated ‘Agreement. The Superintendent must receive approval for use of personal leave or leave days in advance from the Board President. Bo Va ion. The Superintendent shall receive ‘twenty (20) working days of ‘vacation each contract year at full pay, in addition to school holidays. Spring, summer and Christmas breaks which are non-student attendance periods shall constitute working days 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE unless specifically scheduled as holidays or credited toward the vacation days listed above. ‘The Board President, or Vice President in the absence of the President, shall be advised in ‘advance of all vacations, and prior approval of the Board President, or Vice President in the absence of the President, is required for all vacations which are more than three (3) consecutive working days in length. Up to ten (10) days of vacation may be carried over from one contract year to the immediately following contract year; otherwise all vacation ‘must be taken in the contract year eared, and thereafter shall not be carried over, taken, compensated, or considered as accumulated without the approval of the Board. Should this contract be terminated for any reason or in any manner whatsoever, the Superintendent shall be paid for all eamed and accumulated but unused vacation days from the contract ‘year in which termination takes place at the then current per diem rate of salary. Payment shall be made within thirty (30) days after the later of the Superintendent's last day of work or the Superintendent's last regular paycheck, C. Professional Memberships. The Superintendent shall be reimbursed for all dues and membership fees with respect to appropriate memberships in professional organizations approved in advance by the President of the Board and within budgetary constraints. D. Professional Meetings. The Superintendent is expected to attend appropriate professional mectings at the local, state, and national levels. The Superintendent will notify the President of the Board in advance of a desire to attend such ‘meetings. All reasonable expenses incurred shall be paid according to the Board policy and within budgetary constraints, 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE E. Insurance. (1) The Board shall contribute 80% in premium costs for the Superintendent and his immediate family's participation in the District's health insurance program and 100% of premium costs for the Superintendent and his immediate family’s participation in the District's vision and dental benefit programs, If the provision of health insurance contemplated by this Contract provision could result in the Board being obligated to pay a penalty, excise tax, or other fee due to changes and/or interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code or other laws, or their related rules and regulations, affecting the provision of insurance benefits, the Board may revise its contribution toward such insurance benefit to another form of compensation or combination of compensation and insurance to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of such penalty, excise tax, or fee. In the event the Board makes such a determination, the Board shall collaborate with TRS so as to avoid the loss of creditable earnings to the extent permitted by law and to the extent a penalty to the Board does not result. The Board's action to revise a benefit under this paragraph shall be in implementation of this provision of this Contract and shall not constitute or require an amendment to this Contract. (2) The District shall provide the Superintendent long-term disability coverage in an amount not to exceed sixty percent (60%) of Superintendent's annual base salary. (3) The District shall provide the Superintendent with Term Life Insurance in an amount equal to Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000). F. Car Allowance. The Board shall reimburse the Superintendent Five Hundred Dollars ($500) per month for reasonable automobile expenses incurred by him arising from District business. The Superintendent shall provide Superintendent's own car. 6 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE G. Deferred Compensation. The Superintendent may elect that @ portion of the salary set forth in Paragraph 3 above be paid into a tax-sheltered annuity pursuant to a Section 403(b) plan. The cost of the contribution to the annuity or plan shall be deducted from the Superintendent's annual compensation and shall not require an expenditure of funds by the Board in addition to the amount specified above. In addition, for each Contract year, the Board will provide the Superintendent with ‘8 $9,000.00 lump sum non-elective contribution (“Employer Contribution”) to his account in the District's 403(b) Plan on or before July 15 of each contract year. The Superintendent shall not be entitled to, and the Board shall not provide the Superintendent with, the Employer Contribution in the year the Contract is terminated or any remaining year thereafter. Both parties acknowledge that the Superintendent does not have the option of choosing to receive any of the 403(b) contribution directly or in cash. Nothing in this Contract shall require the Board to continue providing Employer Contributions or similar salary matching or non-elective contributions to the Superintendent's 403(b) account in any future employment contract with the Superintendent. 7. MEDICAL EXAMINATION. At Board expense, the Superintendent shall submit to a comprehensive health examination by no later than January 15 of each Contract year. The examination shall be performed by doctor(s) selected by the Superintendent who shall notify the Board of such doctor(s). Such health examination shall include tests deemed necessary by the doctor or required by the Board. A certification as to the Superintendent's health, in a form satisfactory to the Board, shall be presented to the Board, filed separately from the Superintendent's Personnel file, and treated as confidenti information by the Board. The Superintendent shall further submit to, and furnish the Board with reports of, such health examinations as the Board 2898878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE ‘may from time to time require at its expense. This Contract is contingent on the health certification demonstrating the Superintendent's fitness, with reasonable accommodation to the extent required by law, to perform fully under this Contract. 8 DISABILITY. Should the Superintendent become physically or mentally disabled from performing any substantial duty for a period of ninety (90) calendar days in any 180 calendar- day period, or if such disability is earlier determined to be permanent, irreparable, or of such nature as to make the performance of the Superintendent's duties impossible, the Board may, at its option, terminate the Superintendent's employment upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Superintendent and the opportunity for a hearing before the Board on the issues of disability and performance. 9. LICENSE. The Superintendent shall furnish to the Board, before beginning employment under this Contract, a valid and appropriate license to act as Superintendent of Schools. Such license shall be maintained at all times during the term of this Contract. 10. OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES. The Superintendent shall confine professional and employment activities to the business of the School District, except as provided in this paragraph or as otherwise approved by the Board. On an occasional, short-term basis approved by the Board's President, the Superintendent shall be permitted to undertake writing, teaching and speaking engagements. Any consulting work undertaken by the Superintendent for compensation must be accomplished on the Superintendent's vacation days, holidays or other non-duty days. The Board's President shall be notified of the nature of the consulting activities, which shall not interfere with the performance of the Superintendent's duties. 11. RESIDENCY. The Superintendent shall maintain residency within the geographical boundaries of the School District. 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE 12, TENURE. By accepting this Contract, the Superintendent waives any rights to ‘acquire tenure in the School District under Sections 24-11 through 24-16 of the Illinois School Code, as may be amended from time to time, 13. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION. This Contract is contingent on completion from time-to-time as designated by the Board of the background investigation required of all public school employees by Section 10-21.9 of the School Code of Illinois and of any other background investigation required by law, such as a DCFS, or equivalent, pending investigation or indicated finding check. Ifthe investigation discloses information which would prohibit employment or call into question the Superintendent's fitness to serve the School District as the role model required by Section 27-12 of the School Code, the Board may, in its sole discretion, terminate this contract ‘on ten (10) days' written notice to the Superintendent, 14. INDEMINIFICATION, The Superintendent shall be indemnified and defended by the Board to the full extent provided in Section 10-20.20 of the Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5/10-20.20. 15. TERMINATION A. Termination for Cause During the Term of the Contract. In the event the Board intends to terminate this Contract before its expiration for cause, the Board or its designee shall give the Superintendent written notice of such intention, together with a statement of the reasons for termination. Cause includes, but is not limited to, conduct which is prejudicial to the School District such as neglect of duty, failure to meet Performance Goals, breach of Contract or failure to act as the role model required by Section 27-12 of the School Code, Within five (5) days after receipt of such notice, the Superintendent may request in writing a hearing before the Board, which shall be in closed 9 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE session. If no hearing is timely requested, the termination shall become effective on the date specified in the Board's notice. Pending any hearing requested by the Superintendent, the Board may suspend the Superintendent with or without pay. At the conclusion of any hearing, the Board shall determine whether to terminate this Contract and the Superintendent's employment, B. _Non-Renewal Without Cause at the End of the Term of the Contract. In the event the Board or the Superintendent decides not to renew this Contract at the end of its term, notice of such intention and an opportunity for a closed session hearing shall be given by April 1 of the last year of this Contract in accordance with Section 10-21.4 of the Illinois School Code, C. Unilateral Termination by Board of Education, The Board may, at its option, and by a minimum of ninety (90) days’ notice to the Superintendent, unilaterally terminate this Contract during its term without cause. In the event of such termination, the Board shall pay to the Superintendent, as liquidated damages for breach of contract, the aggregate salary the Superintendent would have eared under Paragraph 3 of this Contract from the actual date of termination to the termination date set forth in this Contract, not to exceed one year’s salary, at the then-current salary rate. D. Unilateral Termination by the Superintendent, The Superintendent may, at the ‘Superintendent's option, and by a minimum of one-hundred-eighty (180) days' notice to the Board, unilaterally terminate this Contract. In the event of unilateral termination with at least one- hundred-eighty (180) days' notice to the Board and an effective date at the end of school year, the Superintendent shall pay to the Board FIFTEEN THOUSAND AND NO/100 ($15,000.00) DOLLARS, which relates to some of the aggregate costs to the Board of the search to obtain the lo 2895878.)FINAL FOR SIGNATURE ‘Superintendent's successor and any interim replacement. The payment of liquidated damages by the Superintendent under this paragraph shall be the Board’s exclusive remedy for any claims of breach of this contract due to the Superintendent's unilateral termination, However, this paragraph does not apply in the event that the parties mutually agree to end this contract or to termination for disability which qualifies the Superintendent for disability benefits from TRS.E, Mutual Agreement of the Parties. 15. MISCELLANEOUS A. Any notice or communication permitted or required under this Contract shall be made in writing and shall become effective on the day of service thereof by personal service or by first class mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, sent to the parties at their respective addresses listed below, or at such other addresses as the parties may from time to time advise in writing. Service by mail, 1 provided above, shall be deemed made upon deposit in the mail. If to the Board: President, Board of Education Rock Island School District 4 2101 6th Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 With a copy to: President, Board of Education 2101 6th Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 Ifto the Superintendent: Dr. Reginald Lawrence Il 2101 6 Avenue Rock Island, IL 61201 With a copy to: Dr. Reginald Lawrence I! [at his last known home address) u 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE. B. This Contract has been executed in I jis and shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illi is in every respect. C. Paragraph headings and numbers have been inserted for convenience of reference only, and if there shall be any conflict between any such headings or numbers and the text of this Contract, the text shall control. D. This Contract may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, and all of which taken together shall be considered one and the same instrument If any provision of this Contract is subsequently declared by the proper Icgislative or judicial authority to be unlawful or unenforceable, all other provisions of the Contract shall remain in full force and effect, This Contract contains all the terms and benefits agreed upon by the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Contract and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements and communications between the parties concerning such subject matter whether oral or written, No modification or amendment of this Contract shall be valid or binding on the parties unless it is in writing and executed by the Board and Superintendent. ‘This Contract shall become effective and be deemed dated as of the date the last of the parties signs this Contract as set forth below. BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT ROCK ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 41 by: Grtny hh Recwe ah Tgul, ; Jo Pres ‘ident Dr. Regihald Lawrence 2895878.1Dated: Hf fal Dated: Secretary 2895878.1FINAL FOR SIGNATURE EXHIBIT A TO THE JULY 1, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025 PERFORMANCE-BASED SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ROCK ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 41 AND DR. LAWRENCE REGINALD |UPERINTENDENT GOALS ‘The Superintendent shall meet the goals enumerated in this exhibit. The parties agree that the goals are linked to student performance and academic improvement of the school. The Board shall provide appropriate and mutually agreed upon resources to assist the Superintendent in achieving these goals. The Superintendent shall provide quarterly reports to the Board of Education indicating the progress toward achieving these goals. Goal #1: The Superintendent will provide leadership to improve academic achievernent through a commitment to equity and emphasis on student-centered alignment of resources. Goal #2: The Superintendent will develop and implement strategies to enhance family and community engagement. Goal #3: The Superintendent will establish a management structure and a set of management processes and practices that supports all stakeholders. 2895878.1,