By Leon Lagerstam, Dispatch/Argus staff writer
Two new assistant superintendents were hired by the Rock Island-Milan School Board Tuesday.
I.V. Foster, a middle school principal in Freeport, Ill., was hired as Rock Island-Milan's new assistant superintendent for human resources.
And J. Jay Marino, an administrator in Stanton, Mich., was selected the new assistant superintendent for instruction and school improvement.
Both men were given three-year, performance-based contracts. Mr. Foster's first-year salary was listed as $82,985, while Mr. Marino will make $80,358. They start July 1.
The district received 111 applications from people seeking the administrative posts, including 58 candidates for the human resources post, and 53 applicants for the instruction job. Seven candidates for each job were interviewed by a selection committee, leading to superintendent David Markward's recommendation to hire Mr. Foster and Mr. Marino.
``We are looking forward to both these individuals joining the district,'' Mr. Markward said. ``They bring a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and creativity to these positions.''
Mr. Foster has spent 17 years in education, and is principal at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Freeport. Mr. Marino, a nine-year education veteran, is the director of instruction and technology for the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District in Stanton.
In other action, the board:
-- Hired Kevin Traylor, a librarian and media center specialist at Buffalo Elementary School in Buffalo, Iowa, as a librarian and media specialist at Rock Island High School.
-- Appointed Bobbie LaStrapes and Ken Meyer as part-time counselors next year at Rock Island High School. Ms. LaStrapes is retiring this year from Edison Junior High School, while Mr. Meyer will retire from his high school counseling position. Each counselor was given a 100-day contract. Ms. LaStrapes will concentrate her efforts next year on making the transition to high school smoother for incoming freshmen, Mr. Markward said.
-- Approved purchasing $62,583 worth of new uniforms for the Rock Island High School Marching Band, and giving the Rock Island Music Association a 24-month, interest-free loan to pay for them.
-- Granted a $12,501 contract to Nightwatch Security Systems of Long Grove, Iowa, for a security camera system at the Thurgood Marshall Learning Center.
Staff writer Leon Lagerstam can be reached at 786-6441, Ext. 298, or by e-mail at [email protected].
Copyright 2001, Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.