Macon Reporter

Decatur School District 61 Board met Oct 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

PRESENT: Andrew Taylor, President

Jason Dion, Vice President (arrived 5:08 PM)

Alana Banks (Audio)

Kevin Collins-Brown

Bill Clevenger

Regan Lewis (arrived 5:38 PM)

Al Scheider

ABSENT: Dr. Rochelle Clark, Superintendent

STAFF: Assistant Superintendent of P12 Teaching and Learning Jeff Dase, Board Secretary Melissa Bradford, Attorney Brian Braun and others

President Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Call for Closed Executive Session

President Taylor called the meeting to order and moved into Closed Executive Session to conduct a student suspension review hearing and a student expulsion extension or revocation hearing, existing litigation and collective negotiating matters between the Board and representatives of its employees, seconded by Dr. Collins Brown.

President Taylor called for a Roll Call Vote:

Aye: Banks (audio), Clevenger, Collins-Brown, Scheider, Taylor

Nay: None

Absent: Dion (arrived 5:08 PM) and Lewis (arrived at 5:38 PM)

Roll Call Vote: 5 Aye, 0 Nay, 2 Absent

For the record, Alana Banks joined via audio, Jason Dion arrived at 5:08 PM and Regan Lewis arrived at 5:38 PM.

Return to Open Session

President Taylor moved to return to Open Session, seconded by Mr. Dion. All were in favor.

Open Session Continued

President Taylor noted that the Board of Education had been in Closed Executive Session to conduct a student suspension review hearing and a student expulsion extension or revocation hearing, existing litigation and collective negotiating matters between the Board and representatives of its employees. No action was taken during Closed Executive Session.

Pledge of Allegiance

President Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Agenda, Octobe

Assistant Superintendent Jeff Dase recommended the Board approve the October 11, 2022 Open Session Board Meeting Agenda as presented.

Dr. Collins-Brown moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mr. Dion. All were in favor.

Cordell Ingram, Principal at MacArthur High School, shared a video regarding the MHS Teacher Prep Program. This program was geared towards students who were interested in the field of education. It also offers many opportunities to help them solidify if they wanted to continue this educational path after high school.

President Taylor recognized Principal/Assistant Principal Appreciation Week in Agenda was approved as presented. Information only. Illinois, October 16 – 22, 2022. Principals and Assistant Principals Appreciation Day will be October 21, 2022. Decatur Public Schools appreciates the leadership, work commitment and true dedication exemplified by our administrative team throughout the District.

Zach Shields, Executive Director of the Decatur Public Schools (DPS) Foundation, updated the Board on some programs that were funded by the DPS Foundation within DPS 61. Mr. Shields also invited the Board Members and the community to the Legacy of Learning Alumni Awards banquet that is scheduled for Saturday, November 05, 2022 in the University Commons on the Millikin University campus. For more information, please contact Mr. Shields at 217 362-3042 or zshields@dps61.org.

Public Participation

President Taylor noted that during Public Participation, the Board of Education asked for the following:

• Identify oneself and be brief.

• Any public comments submitted to the Board Secretary will be included in the record.

• Comments should be limited to 3 minutes.

As a friendly reminder for our listening audience, notification was sent in regards to “public comment” on June 9, 2022. Now that the majority of COVID restrictions have been lifted, DPS is returning to standard procedure and requests that anyone wishing to address the Board do so in person during the allotted Public Participation portion of Board of Education meetings. Anyone wishing to sign up in advance for public participation may do so by calling Board Secretary Melissa Bradford at 217- 362-3011; otherwise, individuals may sign up upon arrival.

Please note that during any Board of Education meeting and public participation, Board Members do NOT respond and/or comment to public comments; ALL COMMENTS ARE REFERRED TO ADMINISTRATION. Furthermore, the Board refrains from referring to specific students or staff members by name, and requests that public commenters refrain from doing so as well. The request that you omit names was made to protect you from allegations of libel or slander or from violations of the Illinois School Student Records Act. It was not intended to shield an employee from criticism.

Jeffrey Perkins, Founder and President of Caring Black Men (CBM) and Community Member, spoke to the Board regarding the history of this organization that began with only. former Superintendent Gloria Davis. They were in there 17th year of mentoring young male students in District 61 that ranged from grades K-12. They were not grant funded as they felt it was no cost to mentor young male students. Part of the mentorship focused on, “I am because you/we are.” CBM consistently observed, throughout the years, the struggles with reading and math. We all (District-parent student-community) have a role, a responsibility and accountability for these struggles.

Al Williams, Caring Black Men and Community Member, spoke to the Board regarding how he joined CBM. His intentions were to mentor about Science and STEM programs, but once involved with CBM the focus became grades and the basics in education. Students were not reading and doing math well. CBM stresses the importance of grades As and Bs.

Jim Harris, Caring Black Men and Community Member, spoke to the Board regarding how he joined CBM. He was also a member of the former Strategic Plan Committee. Parents should not be the last to know issues with their students. Reading is the most important tool in their academic tool box. The following quote by William Ellery Channing was discussed during their sessions, “reading is the royal road to intellectual eminence”.

John Funk, Community Member, spoke to the Board regarding his educational history with District 61. He shared an editorial from the Wall Street Journal that he felt was fact based and concerning as it mentioned reading and math levels of students from District 61. He realized this was a complex issue and felt it was important for the Board Members to know and consider.

Board Discussion

Mr. Scheider asked about an Advisory Committee. This would be a group that would help move along a process that would help with decision making.

• Curriculum Committee – This committee would view aspects of the elementary and secondary levels and the continuity from PreK to 12th grades.

• HR Committee – This committee would decide what positions were needed the most.

The committee could consist of board member, a couple of administrators, staff connected with the particular topic and sister organizations in the area (Richland and Millikin).

Mr. Scheider asked for the District to start thinking about snow days and remote days. A teacher sent him specific statistics regarding attendance during remote days. Are we losing an instructional day? This was something to be concerned about. He asked administration to look into the attendance with remote snow days and should it continue.

Mr. Scheider noted that Ms. Banks was going to discuss the idea for a goal to set-up teaching assistants for every self-contained classroom at the next Policy Committee meeting.

Mr. Scheider encouraged the District to develop and support our students financially who were entering the field of teaching, with a commitment to work for District 61 a certain number of years.

President Taylor asked for attendance data on snow days and the grade point average on those who participated remotely versus those who did not.

Mr. Dion asked for the curriculum on snow days. Do they continue with the curriculum taught in-person or was there a different curriculum during snow days?

Mr. Dion asked if there was a high school to teacher transition plan and/or tuition assistance for those students who entered the field of teaching. Is there a teaching assistant to teacher plan? Zach Shields, Executive Director of the Decatur Public

Schools (DPS) Foundation, replied that the Dawson Civic Leadership Institute will pay for the full tuition for the associates degree for the first two years if they go through the teacher program at Richland Community College. Please contact Ashley Grayned for other Teacher Prep (high schoolers) information.

Mrs. Lewis noted that she read the Washington Post article. It has brought a lot of attention to the District. She shared information regarding her own son and his struggles. She asked administration for advice on additional help for parents. Assistant Superintendent Dase replied that we were a District that needs improvement. Data was reviewed in order to develop action plans. Regarding the article, what was the shock? The data (2018-2019) was true and we were identified as a struggling District. However, there were an abundance of great opportunities offered to our students. There was no curriculum back then regarding the data that was in the article. Individuals should stop talking about the problems and start advocating for some solutions. The District has improved with success stories. The article made it look like there were no offerings for our students, which was not true. He was committed to teaching and learning. Allow administration to do their jobs and student achievement would increase. It takes time and we must stay committed; stay consistent and we will become a success story.

The Board of Education and Assistant Superintendent Dase continued discussion regarding student achievement.

Community members and or business leaders who were interested in volunteering in our schools, please contact Maria Robertson (Director of Community Engagement) at mrobertson@dps61.org (217 362-3017) or Jason Fox (Director of Human Resources) at jefox@dps61.org (217 362-3030). There is a process for volunteers.

The Board of Education and Assistant Superintendent Dase continued discussion regarding student achievement and life-long opportunities.

Mr. Dion noted that the MacArthur High School (MHS) Marching Band won two trophies at the marching band competition in Mt. Zion, IL. The band received second place out of their division and best drum line.

Stay tuned, the Jazz Band was being re-developed at MHS.

Reports from Admins Teacher/Ready Program

Ashley Grayned, Executive Director of Innovative Programs, and Jason Fox, Director of Human Resources, presented information regarding the Teacher/Ready Program (see attached). This would help create more opportunities for long-term subs.

The Board of Education discussed the financial side and the program with administration.

Mr. Scheider asked if the District could afford more than five and/or whomever wants to apply for the program. Mr. Fox replied it was a new program and $29k was a good starting point; they wanted to monitor it first. There were some long-term subs interested.

Dr. Collins-Brown asked if the Board of Education could receive updates on the program. Mr. Fox replied yes, and they wanted to monitor its progress before opening up to more than five.

Mr. Clevenger asked about the budget for this program. Dr. Mike Curry, Chief Operational Officer, replied that if the Board of Education wanted to pursue the program on a larger scale, it could be discussed.

President Taylor asked for administration to also look into grant funding.

The Board of Education continued discussion regarding staff opportunities.

Attorney Braun reminded the Board of Education that rules could apply differently with each union group. Some topics discussed could be a bargaining topic; keep in mind of the bargaining history and/or ask administration.

The consensus from the Board of Education was to move forward with the details regarding the program, no action was taken at this time.

Consent Items

Assistant Superintendent Dase recommended the Board approve the Consent Items as presented:

A. Minutes: Open/Closed Session Meeting September 27, 2022

B. Freedom of Information Report

C. Bills

D. Resolution Authorizing the Sale (Auction)/Disposal of Surplus District Property

E. Hope Academy Fundraiser

F. Job Description: Innovative Programs Supervisor

Dr. Collins-Brown moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mrs. Lewis. Hearing no questions, President Taylor called for a Roll Call Vote:

Aye: Lewis, Clevenger, Banks, Collins-Brown, Taylor, Dion

Nay: None

Abstain: Scheider

Roll Call Vote: 6 Aye, 0 Nay, 1 Abstain

Vote on Student Suspension Review

Assistant Superintendent Dase recommended the Board of Education “support and authorize the issuance of a decision in the suspension review for Student# 312170 consistent with the findings from the Hearing Officer’s Report, and that Student# 312170’s Suspension remain on record through the 2022-2023 school year.

Mr. Scheider moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Dr. Collins Brown. Hearing no questions, President Taylor called for a Roll Call Vote:

Aye: Scheider, Taylor, Banks, Clevenger

Nay: Collins-Brown

Abstain: Dion and Lewis

Roll Call Vote: 4 Aye, 1 Nay, 2 Abstain

Vote on Student Expulsion Extension or Revocation

Assistant Superintendent Dase recommended the Board of Education approve to extend the expulsion period with a stay for Student 2223-0001 (202194) for the remaining of the 2022-2023 school year and all of the 2023-2024 school year with a continued stay for alternative education.

Mr. Scheider moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mr. Dion. Hearing no questions, President Taylor called for a Roll Call Vote:

Aye: Collins-Brown, Dion, Clevenger, Scheider, Banks, Taylor

Nay: None

Abstain: Lewis

Roll Call Vote: 6 Aye, 0 Nay, 1 Abstain

Attorney Braun clarified that the abstains were due to Board Members not present during the entire hearing.

Personnel Action Items

Assistant Superintendent Dase recommended the Board approve the listed in the Memo from Jason Fox, Director of Human Resources and the Human Resources Department as presented.

Mr. Scheider moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Dr. Collins Brown. Hearing no questions, President Taylor called for a Roll Call Vote:

Aye: Dion, Clevenger, Banks, Collins-Brown, Taylor, Scheider, Lewis

Nay: None

Roll Call Vote: 7 Aye, 0 Nay, 0 Absent

1st Class Educators Consulting Agreement with Hope Academy

Assistant Superintendent Dase recommended the Board approve the 1st Class Educators, LLC Consulting Agreement with Hope Academy as presented.

Dr. Collins-Brown moved to approve the recommendation, seconded by Mr. Dion. Hearing no questions, President Taylor called for a Roll Call Vote: Aye: Clevenger, Banks, Scheider, Lewis, Taylor, Dion, Collins-Brown Nay: None

Roll Call Vote: 7 Aye, 0 Nay, 0 Absent

Adjournment

President Taylor asked for a motioned to adjourn. Dr. Collins-Brown motioned, seconded by Mrs. Lewis. All were in favor.

Board adjourned at 7:55 PM