Park District gives top executive 2.5 percent raise, approves Summer Challenge Program

Online Staff Report

Tim Dimke, executive director of the Rockford Park District, will receive a 2.5 percent raise after the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a one-year “at-will” employment agreement with Dimke at a salary of $144,013.

The employment agreement also provides Dimke with a car, twice his annual salary in life insurance coverage and six weeks of vacation time.

Dimke has worked for the Park District for 39 years, serving as its executive director for the past six.

In 2011, Dimke made $140,500 after being granted his first raise since 2008. Cost-cutting measures had put a two-year freeze on wages for all Park District employees. That freeze ended this year after commissioners approved a budget that mandated a 2 percent raise for all employees with the potential of earning a 2.5 percent raise based on merit. The average full-time Park District employee earns $23.73 per hour.

Dimke’s salary is based on a study of wages in comparative districts chosen based on population, budget, property values and number of employees. The Park District Board studied 10 districts that had an average 2011 salary of $149,884.

Park District approves 2012 Summer Challenge Program

The Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with Rockford School District 205 for the 2012 Summer Challenge Program, “Ready to Rock.”

During the 2010 and 2011 summer months, the Rockford Park District, Rockford School District 205 (RPS 205), and the YMCA of the Rock River Valley came together to provide education and recreation to more than 2,300 kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

“The Summer Challenge program was extremely successful last summer, and continuing the partnership will allow all agencies involved to continue contributing to the success of our youth,” Dimke said. “Enrichment centers set up at various District 205 schools will provide an excellent place for youth to grow academically and physically during the summer months.”

The 2012 Summer Challenge Program, “Ready to Rock,” is a six-week, Monday-Thursday program that runs 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Rockford Park District, Rockford School District and the YMCA of the Rock River Valley provide a unique learning environment along with a variety of enrichment activities provided by Burpee Museum of Natural History, Discovery Center Museum and Rockford Area Arts Council. Participants will spend the day learning math and reading, while also participating in interdisciplinary curriculum-based activities in science, the arts, sports, fitness and nutrition to improve student achievement.

Rockford School District 205 Superintendent Dr. Robert Willis said: “It is partnerships like these that reinforce this community’s commitment to our young citizens and their futures.”

2012 Summer Challenge sites include Barbour Language Academy, Beyer Elementary School, Carlson Elementary School, Lewis Lemon Elementary School, Rolling Green Elementary School and Rockford Environmental Science Academy (RESA).

Registration for the program will be through Rockford School District 205 in April.

For more information, contact Jodi Carroll, Rockford Park District deputy director of Recreation & Systems Development, at (815) 987-8840 or jodicarroll@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Posted March 15, 2012