The Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation has announced the winners of the R.C. Miller Scholarship for 2017-18.

ROCKORD

RPS approves labor contracts with two unions

The Rockford School Board has approved an agreement with two of its labor unions: AFSCME Local 692 (paraprofessionals) and AFSCME Local 3210 (nutrition services).

Both contracts are retroactive to July 1, 2016 and expire after June 30, 2019. Union members voted in July to accept the School Board’s offer. Notable details:

• Paraprofessionals: The agreement contains a wage increase of three percent as implemented on Jan. 27; 2.5 percent wage increase as implemented on July 1, and 50 cents effective July 1, 2018.
• Nutrition Services: The agreement contains a wage increase of three percent as implemented on Jan. 27. Effective July 1, a 3 percent increase was calculated on the highest salary step – or highest paid position – and applied to each salary step in the same job classification. (For example, a 3 percent increase on the highest salary of $11.65 is 35 cents; 35 cents was added to each of the six positions/steps in that job classification.) Starting July 1, 2018, the highest salary step will be increased another 3 percent, and that total increase will be applied to each of the salary steps.

Other terms and benefits outlined in the contracts are the same paraprofessionals and nutrition services staff have been working under since January when the School Board voted to implement its last, best, final offers to AFSCME Local 692 (paraprofessionals), AFSCME Local 1275 (bus drivers) and AFSCME Local 3210 (nutrition services).

A contract was approved in June with the district’s bus drivers in AFSCME Local 1275 .

FREEPORT

Stephenson County 4H scholarship winners named

Bonnie Campbell, Chairperson of the Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation, recently announced the winners of the R.C. Miller Scholarship for the 2017-18 year, after they were selected by a committee of judges from the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

This year’s winners are Olivia Kepner, of Lena, and Destiny Swalve, of Freeport, and they will each receive $1000 to use towards their educational expenses. Olivia Kepner is studying Animal Nutrition, at Highland Community College, and Destiny Swalve is studying Agriculture Education at Southern Illinois University.

The R. C. Miller Scholarship was established and funded by the late R. C. Miller, a local leader in agri-business. He started the scholarship program to encourage and support Stephenson County residents pursuing degrees in agriculture with an emphasis in Conservation. The Stephenson County Extension and 4-H Foundation is responsible for the scholarship administration. 

For more information about the Stephenson County 4-H and Extension Foundation, which provides financial support to the University of Illinois Extension and 4-H in Stephenson County, please call 815-235-4125.

ROCKFORD

Ambrogio elevated to Jefferson head coach

Tony Ambrogio will lead the Jefferson High School football program as head coach after working as assistant head football coach and offensive coordinator for the J-Hawks.

“Tony has specifically chosen to be at Jefferson and has been instrumental in turning the J-Hawks football program around,” said Mat Parker, Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development. “His experience as a head coach, athletic director and his commitment to student athletes will ensure the continued success of the program.”

Ambrogio joined the J-Hawks in 2016. He is the former athletic director and head varsity football coach for Christian Life Schools.

He replaces Ken DuBose who guided Jefferson to its best record (4-5) in 20 years last season. According to reports, DuBose was asked to resign due to allegedly not following school procedures and social media posts.

Rockford school officials declined comment, saying the matter was a personnel matter.

ROCKFORD

United way seeks nominee for Ware award

United Way of Rock River Valley is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Frank Ware Award of Excellence, awarded to individuals in our area who exemplify a high-level of excellence in service to others, human service advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to our community.

This award honors the spirit of Frank Ware, former President/CEO of Janet Wattles Center, who spent over 30 years advocating and fighting for quality care on behalf of the most marginalized members in this community. His high standards and expectations resulted in better care for those in need.

One award recipient will be determined by a committee of community leaders and announced during United Way’s Campaign Kickoff breakfast event in September. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 and are available at www.wevolunteer.org.

–Winnebago County News Briefs–