Macon Reporter

Okaw Valley Community Unit School District 302 Board of Education met Nov. 4.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

The Board of Education of Okaw Valley Community Unit School District #302 was called to order at 6:00 P.M. in the OVHS Computer Lab by President Rothrock with the following Board members and administrators present, Tracy Ryherd, Grant Tice, John Vander Burgh, Greg Dickens, Brooke Bartimus,Ross Folines, & Kent Stauder. Absent: Chelea Beery.

CLOSED SESSION

It was moved by Brooke Bartimus and seconded by Tracy Ryherd that the Board enter closed session at 6:01 p.m. as provided in 5 ILCS 120/2, subsection (c) for the purpose of discussing matters related to appointment, employment, performance, vacancy of a public office, student discipline, and compensation of employees. Roll call vote: Bartimus, yea; Ryherd, yea; Beery, absent; Dickens, yea; Rothrock, yea; Vander Burgh, yea; Yeas, 6; Nay, 0; Absent, 1; Abstention, 0. Motion carried.

It was moved by Brooke Bartimus and seconded by Tracy Ryherd that the Board of Education return to open session at 6:41p.m. Voice Vote: All voted aye. Motion carried.

Employment

It was moved by Brooke Bartimus and seconded by Greg Dickens that the Board approve the employment of Syd Richardson, OVMS Custodian. Roll call vote: Bartimus, yea; Ryherd, yea; Beery, absent; Dickens, yea; Rothrock, yea; Vander Burgh, yea; Yeas, 6; Nay, 0; Absent, 1; Abstention, 0. Motion carried.

Discipline

It was moved by Brooke Bartimus and seconded by Greg Dickens that the Board approve the following motion:

I move that, based upon and after the Board's consideration of the evidence and testimony of the expulsion hearing held on November 4, 2019 in the OVHS Computer Lab], the Board of Education find that Student No. 004 has committed an act of gross misconduct as charged by the District's Administration in that Student No. 004 has committed an act of gross misconduct as charged by the district’s administration in violation of Board Policy [7:190].

I move that the Board of Education expel Student No. 004, but that the expulsion be held in abeyance and Student No. 004 be administratively transferred to an alternative school as determined by the District’s Administration, pursuant to Article 13A of the Illinois School Code. Prior to considering a recommendation for expulsion, the District’s Administration attempted other behavioral and disciplinary interventions and determined there are no other appropriate and available behavioral and disciplinary interventions. The interventions previously attempted with the student included: In-school suspension, behavior assembly, parent-contact, verbal warnings, & time in office. Removing Student No. 004 from the learning environment is in the best interest of the school because this student’s continued presence in school would [pose a threat to the safety of other students, staff or members of the school community and/or substantially disrupt, impede or interfere with the operation of the school]. The duration of Student No. 004’s expulsion is appropriate based upon the gravity of the misconduct, the illegal nature of the misconduct, the safety concerns and/or disruption caused by the misconduct, the student’s past disciplinary history, and prior behavioral and disciplinary interventions to support the student and promote acceptable behavior.

The expulsion being held in abeyance is contingent upon the student’s full participation in the alternative school program, including regularly attending school; complying with attendance policies, school rules, and any referrals for services or counseling made by the alternative school; and successfully completing the alternative school’s curriculum.

I move that should Student No. 004 fail to fully participate in the alternative school program and the alternative school refers the student back to the District, Student No.004 shall be immediately expelled from November 4, 2019 for the remainder of the District Administration’s recommended expulsion duration, through November 4, 2021. The board will give Student No. 004 an opportunity to address the expulsion in (1) one calendar year.

Roll call vote: Bartimus, yea; Ryherd, yea; Beery, absent; Dickens, yea; Rothrock, yea; Vander Burgh, yea; Yeas, 6; Nay, 0; Absent, 1; Abstention, 0. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Tim Rothrock and seconded by Chelsea Beery that the Board of Education adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Voice vote: All voted aye. The motion carried.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/526273/Minutes_Special_Meeting_November_4__2019.pdf