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Issued: October 30, 2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR PROVIDING STRATEGIC PLANNING SERVICES TO ROCKFORD CHARTER SCHOOL ORGANIZATION (RSCO) JACKSON CHARTER SCHOOL
Issued: November 19, 2025

Proposals must be delivered to:
Jackson Charter School
Att’n: Dr. Ebony Wrenn
315 Summit Street 
Rockford, IL 61107

Please submit one (1) original Proposal, two (2) copies of the original Proposal either by mail or hand delivery in response to this RFP. Proposals are to be submitted in a sealed envelope bearing the name of the applicant as well as the title of this RFP no later than the date and time specified herein. Proposals received after said date and time will not be considered and no time extensions will be permitted.

Proposals are due no later than December 10, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. CST
Rockford Charter School Organization (RCSO) reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted. RCSO also reserves the right to cancel this RFP and/or re-advertise and re-solicit the requirements at any time if it deems necessary. The RCSO Board will make the final selection for all services.

There is no obligation on the part of RCSO to reimburse those submitting proposals for the costs of preparing their responses to this RFP.

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Page 3
Schedule Page 4
Scope of Services Page 4-5
Proposal Criteria and Evaluation Page 5-6
Exhibit A – Fee Schedule Page 7
Terms and Conditions Contractor Must Incorporate into Final Agreement Documents

Page 8-11

 
INTRODUCTION

RCSO – Jackson Charter School is inviting qualified strategic planning professionals to submit proposals to provide comprehensive strategic planning services for the School. The selected provider will guide RCSO through a collaborative planning process that identifies key issues and priorities and that ultimately results in a plan that reflects both the educational community’s input and RCSO goals. 

Proposals are due no later than December 10, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. CST and should be sent to:

Jackson Charter School
Att’n: Dr. Ebony Wrenn, Executive Director
315 Summit Street
Rockford, IL 61107

Gianna Dallman 
Sosnowski Szeto, LLP
gianna@sosnowskiszeto.com

Proposals will thereafter be opened and read at 11:30 a.m. on December 18, 2025, at Jackson Charter School, 315 Summit Street, Rockford, IL 61107.

RCSO is not responsible for the delay in delivery by the bidders’ choice of courier. All proposals delivered after 5:00 p.m., on the above-mentioned date, will be returned to the applicant unopened. The timetable for this process is included in this material and labeled as “Schedule”. All responses to this RFP must be accompanied by a letter on Applicant’s letterhead attesting to the accuracy of the response and must be signed by an authorized representative of the Applicant.

Proposals will be reviewed by RCSO which will vote on the awarding of the successful proposal on December 18, 2025. A contract will be executed by RCSO no later than January 1, 2026. Said contract must incorporate either directly, or by reference, the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS CONTRACTOR MUST INCORPORATE INTO FINAL AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS”, which are provided below.
The successful applicant will provide strategic planning services described herein for RCSO Jackson Charter School.

All questions regarding the RFP process may be submitted until the December 10th date outlined herein. Such inquiries must be in writing to: Executive Director Dr. Ebony Wrenn, 315 Summit Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107 or by email to ewrenn@jacksoncharterschool.org

SCHEDULE

RCSO anticipates the following schedule:

RFP Issued & Posted:
November 19, 2025
Proposal Due Date & Time: December 10, 2025 5:00 p.m.
Opening of RFP Responses: December 18, 2025 11:30 a.m.

Evaluation and Approval of Proposal(s)
by the RCSO Board
December 18, 2025
Awarding of Contract: December 18, 2025
Jackson School Board Vote/Notification: December 18, 2025 11:30 a.m.
 

The successful consultant/firm must be able to begin comprehensive strategic planning for RCSO immediately after being selected and approved by RCSO. The selected consultant/firm must be able to provide the requested services for a 10-month term with the possibility of extension pursuant to an agreement that is acceptable by RCSO. 

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Respondent will be responsible for demonstrating how they will provide the following services and deliverables: 
• Initial Onsite School Review to establish a baseline for Strategic Planning. This Review will include a deep dive on documents, data, and systems in advance of the visit. The visit should also be used to identify unique and innovative aspects. 
o Deliverable: Overall scorecard followed by report citing evidence for ratings, and high-level strengths and target areas for growth. 
• Analysis of Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) and Illinois Assessment of Readiness IAR data over 5 years to provide analysis of growth against NWEA and IAR expectations. 
o Deliverable: Recommended renewal growth strategies based on data. Data should be presented in clean format for later documentation and presentation should include 1-3 PowerPoint slides with growth highlights. 
• Conduct parent/student/teacher/leadership focus groups. 
• Conduct stakeholder interviews. 
• Visit/observe key programs that are unique to Jackson Charter School. Review instruction, curriculum rigor and common core alignment, school culture, MTSS, talent management, leadership and management, operations, and parent/community. 
• Present a Fundraising Toolkit that includes, but is not limited to: messaging framework and tailored talking points for different audiences (alumni, parents, foundations, community members); tools for prioritizing potential donors; a summary of recommended approaches to fundraising; examples of donor engagement materials (sample thank-you letters, pledge forms, etc.); suggested steps, timeline, and various responsibilities for integrating the fundraising toolkit into ongoing operations. 
• Attend at least three Jackson Charter School Board meetings to become familiar with and evaluate leadership. Attendance will also ensure that Board members are able to voice their thoughts/opinions that Respondent can account for when compiling the Final Report. 
• Strategic Planning Workshop that includes all staff and leadership. This workshop should engage staff members in the process and should identify the current context in which the school is operating and how the staff can work within the framework of strategic planning to improve. The Workshop should clearly define the objectives and goals for the School and should identify any and all next steps. 
• The Strategic Plan Final Report should include all findings, data, and recommendations. The Strategic Plan Final Report will be presented to the Jackson Charter School Board on the designated presentation date. The Strategic Plan Final Report should identify strategic priorities, measurable objectives, and strengths/weaknesses with ultimate implementation suggestions/checklists for ongoing advancement. It should be detailed and thorough. 
• Engage stakeholders in ongoing Strategic Planning Sessions to ensure continuous stakeholder involvement and goal alignment. 

PROPOSAL CRITERIA AND EVALUATION
Proposals will be evaluated for thoroughness and clear description of qualifications and ability to meet the needs of RCSO. Proposals should address the following: 
1. Demonstrate an understanding of RCSO’s needs and proposed approach to meeting them
2. Timeline of project steps, including a brief description of how each step will be conducted
3. Description of final plan and what RCSO can expect upon planning completion
4. Estimated costs, including any estimated expenses and professional fees.
5. Three references from previous clients with similar demographics to RCSO’s.

RCSO intends to award this project to the most responsive and responsible Responder that is in compliance with all specifications, terms and conditions contained herein and is also reasonable in their overall fee schedule. RCSO shall also take into consideration the qualifications and experience and their past strategic planning projects submitted with the proposal as well as other related factors. Intangible factors, such as the Applicant’s reputation and past performance will also be weighed. The criteria are not listed in any particular order.

An interview of Applicants may be conducted during the final selection process. Such interviews may be called for with those Applicants that have submitted proposals considered most probable for selection and award of the project. Such interviews would be necessitated for the purpose of clarification or to ensure that there is full understanding of RCSO Jackson Charter School’s requirements. Applicants shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals and such revision may be permitted after submission and prior to award for the purpose of obtaining best and final offers. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing offers.

EXHIBIT A – FEE SCHEDULE

Please attach a detailed fee schedule for the project from its inception to the final presentation of the strategic plan and a total estimated cost for the entire project.

 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICANT MUST INCORPORATE INTO FINAL AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS
1. Payment Terms. All reasonable fees agreed upon by the Parties will be paid by RCSO.  All invoices shall be sent to the Executive Director at the location herein.
2. Compliance with State and Federal Laws. Contractor agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulatory requirements and to secure such licenses as may be required for its employees and to conduct business in the state, municipality, county and location applicable. Such obligation includes, but is not limited to, environmental laws, civil rights laws, prevailing wage and labor laws.
3. Non-Discrimination. Contractor, its officers, employees, and agents agree not to commit unlawful discrimination and agree to comply with all applicable provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, and all other applicable rules and regulations. 
4. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be duly given if sent by certified mail, or hand delivery and received.
If to the School: If to the Contractor:
            Jackson Charter School XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
           Att’n: Dr. Ebony Wrenn XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
315 Summit Street XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rockford, Illinois 61107 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

  With a copy to: With a copy to:
  Sosnowski Szeto, LLP XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
            6735 Vistagreen Way, Suite 300 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rockford, Illinois 61107 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

5. Choice of Law and Venue. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the law and Constitution of the State of Illinois and if any provision is invalid for any reason such invalidations shall not render invalid other provisions which can be given effect without the invalid provision. The parties agree that the venue for any legal proceedings between them shall be the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, State of Illinois.
6. Confidential Information.  The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, the Contractor will have access to and may be entrusted and required to work with confidential, proprietary and/or trade secret information belonging to RCSO, including, but not limited to, student contact information and confidential student records.  The Contractor has the obligation to protect and keep such information confidential.

The Contractor also covenants and agrees that it will take all steps necessary to ensure that RCSO’s information is kept secret and confidential and for the sole use and benefit of RCSO.  The Contractor shall indemnify RCSO against any and all actions or suits brought against the RCSO for disclosure of confidential and private information as a result of disclosure of such information by the Contractor or its agents and employees including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

All documents and materials that the Contractor prepares, and RCSO’s Information that may be given or entrusted to the Contractor in the course of performing the services contemplated under this Agreement are and shall remain the sole property of the RCSO.

The Contractor further agrees that upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Contractor shall immediately return to RCSO any and all of RCSO’s information (including all copies thereof) within the Contractor’s possession, custody, or control which have been entrusted to the Contractor in the performance of the Contractor’s services under this Agreement or otherwise acquired or obtained by the Contractor.

7. Severability. If any part, term, or provision of the Agreement is held to be illegal or unenforceable, the validity and enforceability of the remaining parts, terms, and provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected, and each party’s rights shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the illegal or unenforceable part, term, or provision.
8. Waiver of Terms. RCSO’s and/or Contractor’s waiver of any term, condition, or covenant or breach of any term, condition, or covenant, shall not constitute a waiver of any other term, condition, or covenant, or the breach thereof.
9. Liability Limitation Clause. The Agreement may not contain a limitation of liability clause.
10. Indemnification. Contractor shall indemnify, hold harmless, and defend with counsel of RCSO’s own choosing, Jackson Charter RCSO, its officials, officers, employees, including their past, present, and future RCSO Board members and agents from and against all liability, third party claims, suits, causes of action, demands, proceedings, set-offs, liens, attachments, debts, expenses, judgments, or other liabilities including costs, reasonable fees and expense of defense, arising from any loss, damage, injury, death, or loss or damage to property, of whatsoever kind or nature as well as for any breach of any covenant in the Agreement or ancillary documents and any breach by Contractor of any representations or warranties made within the Agreement documents (collectively, the “Claims”), to the extent such Claims result from the performance of this Agreement by Contractor or those Claims are due to any act or omission, neglect, willful acts, errors, omissions or misconduct of Contractor in its performance under this Agreement.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting RCSO from defending through the selection and use of their own agents, attorneys and experts, any claims, suits, demands, proceedings and actions brought against them. RCSO’s participation in their defense shall not remove Contractor’s duty to indemnify, defend, and hold the Contractor harmless, as set forth above.
Indemnification shall survive the termination of the Agreement.
11. Warranties. All services to be undertaken by Contractor shall be carried out by competent and properly trained personnel of Contractor to the highest standards and to the satisfaction of the RCSO Board. No warranties implied or explicit may be waived or denied.
12. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by the RCSO Board upon written notice delivered to Contractor at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the effective date of termination. No additional payments, penalties and/or early termination charges shall be required upon termination of the Agreement other than those reasonable costs that were incurred for services provided prior to such termination notice.
13. Assignment. Neither party shall assign, sublet, sell, or transfer its interest in this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other.
14. Force Majeure. Neither party will be responsible to the other for damage, loss, injury, or interruption of work if the damage, loss, injury, or interruption of work is caused solely by conditions that are beyond the reasonable control of the parties, and without the intentional misconduct or negligence, of that party (hereinafter referred to as a “force majeure event”). To the extent not within the control of either party, such force majeure events include: acts of God, acts of any governmental authorities, fire, explosions or other casualties, vandalism, and riots or war. A party claiming a force majeure event shall promptly notify the other party in writing, describing the nature and estimated duration of the claiming party’s inability to perform due to the force majeure event. The cause of such inability to perform will be remedied by the claiming party with all reasonable dispatch.
15. Counterparts. The Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including facsimile signatures), each of which shall be deemed to be an original and both of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties and there are no other promises or conditions in any other agreement whether oral or written. This Agreement supersedes any prior written or oral agreements between the parties and may not be modified except in writing acknowledged and agreed to by both parties.
17. Independent Contractor Relationship. It is understood and agreed that Contractor is an independent contractor and is not an employee of, partner of, agent of, or in a joint venture with RCSO. Contractor understands and agrees that Contractor is solely responsible for paying all wages, benefits and any other compensation due and owing to Contractor’s officers, employees, and agents for the performance of services set forth in the Agreement. Contractor further understands and agrees that Contractor is solely responsible for making all required payroll deductions and other tax and wage withholdings pursuant to state and federal law for Contractor’s officers, employees and/or agents who perform services as set forth in the Agreement. Contractor also acknowledges its obligation to obtain appropriate Contractor hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and waive any right to recover alleged damages, penalties, interest, fees (including attorneys’ fees), and/or costs from the Contractor, its officers, employees, insurers, and agents for any alleged injuries that Contractor its officers, employees and/or agents may sustain while performing services under the Agreement.

Nothing contained in this Agreement, nor any act of RCSO or Contractor pursuant to this Agreement, shall be deemed or construed by any of the parties hereto or by third persons, to create any relationship of third-party beneficiary, principal, agent, limited or general partnership, joint venture, or any association or relationship involving RCSO and Contractor.