ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — On Tuesday, May 7, community members got their first chance to meet new Rock Island-Milan School District Superintendent Dr. Sharon Williams.
"I think it's important for us to get to know each other," Dr. Williams said.
After the district parted ways with former superintendent Dr. Regiland Lawrence in April 2023, it's had three interim superintendents. The board reached a "mutual agreement" with Lawrence on his resignation and paid him $350,000 for the breach of contract. Dr. Williams is hoping to provide some stability.
"What really drew me to Rock Island-Milan School District was its diversity," Dr. Williams said. "It's the most diverse school district in the state of Illinois."
Williams recently served as deputy superintendent of Proviso Township High School District in Cook County. In April, she received push-back from teachers about asking to hire the same position for the Rock Island-Milan school district, when there are currently seven teacher openings.
"School districts of our size are very complex organizations," Dr. Williams said. "It's important for me as the board is tasked me with these important goals, to make sure that our scholars, our teachers and our principals are well supported."
One of those goals is improving the district's infrastructure.
"We know that we have some challenges with some of our school buildings, we also have done a lot with the taxpayers money over the past several years," Dr. Williams said. "We want to make sure that the learning environment for our students is top notch."
The school district said there will be two more meet and greets in Rock Island:
- May 14, from 5-6 p.m. at the district’s administration center, 2000 7th Ave.
- May 22, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the MLK Center, 630 9th St.
The school district is hosting a facilities management planning meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at Edison Junior High School. The second is May 9 at 6 p.m. at Rock Island High School. The final meeting is May 30 at 6 p.m. at Washington Junior High School.