001Okay, I think it's time to get started. Board of Education has been in closed executive session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and collective negotiating matters between the board and representatives of its employees. No action was taken during the closed executive session. I ask everyone to join me in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Do we have a recommendation for tonight's agenda? Yes, we do. I recommend the board approve tonight's March 10th, 2026 open session board meeting agenda as presented. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying I. I.
002Those opposed? Okay, we'll move on to our district highlights. Maria. Good evening, President Board. I'm sorry. Board President, Mr. Clevenger, members of the board, Dr. Clark, and Ms. Bradford. Each year, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs celebrates Black History Month by recognizing individuals from across the state who are making Illinois a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Before I get into the specifics of our first district highlight, I want to share a short 2-minute video. During Black History Month, we celebrate leaders who break barriers. I think when we're talking about leadership here in the state of Illinois and Black History Month, I'd like to remember the life and enormous legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. As late Reverend Jesse Jackson often said, we are somebody and that our communities are worth [clears throat]
003fighting for. Happy Black History Month to all of you and as you know, Black History Month >> [music] >> is American history and Black History Month is every day. Many of us who were at right now are standing on the shoulders of people before us, whether we know it or not, and if we know it, we want to pass that information on to others. >> [music] >> I tell my children, and I'm talking about the 7,700, not just my own, but I tell them all the time, you can be whatever you want to be and you are going to do great things. >> [music] >> It's always dangerous to give a preacher a mic and an audience. >> [laughter] >> I don't do what I do for accolades or awards. I do what I do
004because God gifted me to do it. But the awards are nice. The reason I wrote that book to so families, black families, black kids can see themselves in a book >> [music] >> and our kids can see that they still matter. That is the lesson. My dad had a third grade education. My mom had a grade education, [music] but they instilled in all of us the importance [music] of people and doing what you do for others. I'm like Elvis Presley, all shook up right now. I want to inspire others. White female, black female, young black men, you can come. You can do this >> [music] >> by working together as a team. After Mr. James, I'm ready now. I know what the meaning of Black History as far as sportsmanship, it started from home. Uh
005my mother always instill, be nice. Even when you don't want to be, be nice. I just want to end by saying, if I've seen farther than other men and women, >> [applause and music] >> it's because I've the shoulders I see giants. I thank you. As I said, the word "is" can make us laugh, they can make us cry, they can inspire us. >> [applause and music] >> So, as you saw, Dr. Rochelle Clark was recognized a few weeks ago at a luncheon at our state capital where she received this year's Black History Month Award for outstanding commitment to education from the Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. She was nominated by Kevin Schuster. Although Dr. Clark did not know Mr. Schuster personally, her leadership and dedication to to serve more than 7,700 students in our
006district in Decatur, Illinois clearly made a lasting impression and inspired his nomination. In the video, you also saw this year's honorees included leaders from Peoria, the mayor mayor of Carbondale, a high school girls basketball coach, and a small business owner. An impressive group of individuals making a difference across Illinois. Our community is truly DPS proud to have Dr. [clears throat] Clark advocating for our students, staff, [music] and families. Board members and members of the listening audience, I am proud to stand here tonight to share that our first district highlight this evening is to congratulate Superintendent Clark. The outstanding commitment to education award is well deserved. You truly commit yourself to the work to ensure that each and every day the students of Decatur and our community have what they need to be successful. So, thank
007you and congratulations to Dr. Clark. I didn't know you were going to do that. I know you didn't. >> [laughter] >> All right, our next district highlight celebrates a historic season for the MacArthur girls basketball team. Led by Coach Jadon Bryant, her student athletes achieved an extraordinary level of success this year and brought great pride to MacArthur and to our entire district. In just her third season, Coach Bryant has continued to build a program defined by excellence, resilience, and teamwork. This year's accomplishments included back-to-back regional championships, senior Lacie Myers scoring her 1,000 career point, and an undefeated record at home. All signs of a team that competed with grit, discipline, and a whole lot of heart. Most importantly, the team secured the first sectional championship in MacArthur girls basketball history, marking a truly historic moment
008for the program and for coach J. Tonight, we recognize these student athletes for their outstanding season and to thank coach J for her leadership and dedication. Coach J, we are grateful to you for the inspiration, guidance, and dedication you have poured into these athletes. And especially for the important role you have played in your athletes' growth both on and off the court. I'd like to bring coach J forward and the members of the girls basketball team up. Will y'all stand up for these girls? And Dr. Clark. Don't be shy. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Uh good evening everyone. Um First, I would like to thank Maria, Superintendent Dr. Clark, and the members of the school board uh for giving us this opportunity to highlight these Lady Generals and our basketball program tonight. Um your continued
009support for our student athletes means more than you know. Um I would like to also recognize our principal, Mr. Cordell Ingram, our athletic director Jason Crutcher for their support in our program. It really is truly an honor for me to stand here as the head coach of these ladies um and the Lady Generals basketball program. As Maria said, in my third season, I'm extremely grateful to God for the opportunity to lead and mentor these ladies. Um I have to thank my coaching staff, my assistant coach Fred Jackson, who could not be here tonight. Kudos to him. Um he is extremely instrumental to the development of our program. And even our JV coach, coach Shalaye Green. As she said, this season was a historic one. Um I really didn't even know we were about to make
010history until days before. And so, it put a lit added little pressure to us, but we were able to get it done. Undefeated at home, regional back-to-back champions, again just in the third year. Um but it goes beyond that, if I can say this. Um I'm proud of them because it's beyond the wins and the losses and the championship. These ladies understand that basketball is a vehicle to life. And it teaches them discipline, accountability, perseverance, teamwork, and how to overcome adversity. Obviously, our season did not end how we wanted it to, but my motto is that in every loss there is a lesson. And so, these are life lessons that these young ladies will carry with them long after the final buzzer. In our program, we emphasize that they are students first, student athletes. So,
011academics are the standard, and these young ladies work hard to balance the demands of school, athletics, and the commitment in the classroom as well as their commitment on the court. And this is how they were able to accomplish this. I want to introduce them. Raquiah Harper, Lanaya Taylor, Journey Wilson, Zanaya Gibbs, Heaven Ambrose, Ashanti Ayers, Lamar Cliff, Amari Stewart, Keshawna Jones, Kylie Carson, and Lexi Meyer. I especially want to recognize our seniors, which is Keshawna, Lamara, Heaven, Ashanti, Amari, and our captains Kylie and Lexi. Their leadership and work ethic and commitment helped establish this culture. Um I'm excited that a lot of them will go on to further their careers either in the collegiate basketball level and/or academically. I'm proud to announce that Lexi Meyer made the Central State A all-conference team first team. And
012Journey Wilson made all-conference second team. I have to give a special shout-out to all of my parents and families of these young ladies. Uh thank you so much for the early mornings, practices, late-night travel, your encouragement, the meals that you fed them them long gondola torpedoes every other week. Um trusting myself as the coach to lead them, my coaching staff, >> [music] >> your support, sacrifices, and belief in them made a tremendous difference in the success that we shared. And this is your success as well. And finally, to the Decatur community, thank you so much for showing up. We were able to pull out the big bleachers at the gym the last couple of games. These girls are not used to that, but it was great to have that energy filling the gyms, the fan
013buses that were paid for by the community. These young women all season long gave the energy and the encouragement that you guys gave them help make this this season historic. Um this team made history, but it will and it can never be erased. But more importantly, they set the foundation for the future of the Lady Generals basketball team. And I could not be more proud of them. Um today I got something in the mail from representatives state representative Shouse uh Shearer, and it was article clippings of the basketball team. Um so, that was really good to get in the mail as well. So, we put everybody on notice. And uh I hope we continue to make history. So, as we say in every huddle, Lady G's on three. 1 2 3. I am also proud
014of all of you. Good job, ladies. I'm also proud of the parents. All right, make sure you guys can see me. All right, we're good. I'm going to go 1 2 3 Lady Generals. Hold it. Sorry, guys. Not sorry. Actually, Smile for a few more seconds. And then hold on. We have Dr. Clark joining you guys for a minute. Oh, okay. >> [laughter] >> All right. Sorry. Okay. 2 3. We act proud. Thank you. Beautiful. Okay. Uh one other note before we move on tonight to uh the Decatur Alternative Education wasn't able to be with us tonight. They'll be attending a future meeting, and we'll let everybody know when that's going to happen. Uh we'll now move on to public participation. I don't We don't have any public participation tonight, so we'll dispense with um
015the reading of all that material. President Clevenger, I did have one that was emailed to me, and I just want to >> [music] >> acknowledge that I did receive a public comment from Jennifer Summer. That will be added to the minutes uh for March 10th. Okay. Good deal. Okay, we'll now move on to board discussion. I think we'll turn this over to I think we have four people involved in this one. I don't know if Ashley's here tonight or not, but Will, Christina, Jay, They're all here. and Ashley. So, if Jay and Ashley would just come to the podium in case they have questions if board leadership would like to start the discussion. Okay, so >> [clears throat] >> the focus of 2030 has been getting the final um staff and community input on our
016plan on page, which includes our mission, our vision, our value, and our goals, our balanced scorecard, [music] our SWOT analysis, and our high-leverage strategies. Uh we had our staff forum on March the 4th. Um over 90 employees participated. The staff had the um option to provide feedback online also for those that wasn't able to attend, and earlier that information went out. Um on March the 11th, we're going to have a a dual uh community forum. Um they'll happen at the same time um March the 11th at 5:30, and everybody will be able to give their feedback um during that time. Uh communications have went out as so many different ways. So, if they don't know about it, I mean, only other option they could do is maybe a pigeon, but they have covered everything. Uh
017robo calls, um social media, website, um multiple calls, um so, emails, everything. So, everybody come out even staff that couldn't attend the staff meeting, come out tomorrow 5:30. McArthur and Eisenhower, sorry. McArthur and Eisenhower, they'll be happening at the same time. Anything you want to add? Just we look forward to seeing the community at these forums. Please come. Any questions? I got some I'd like to say first of all, thanks to Dr. Marino and his brain. And I went to the March [music] 4th and thank you to you board members that that worked it. There was a lot of input, a lot of good ideas, a lot of discussion. I was proud of our employees showing up and giving their input and that's what it's going to take to make this work and I I
018just want to let you everybody know that participated and I was really proud [music] to sit there and see those ideas being exchanged. Thank you. Thank you. Anything else you would like to add? Um the website is still a good place to get caught up? Absolutely. It's updated backslash roadmap 2030. There's a FAQ out there as well. All information raw information is live. If you have questions, if you want to get caught up from phase two or the previous phase phase one, all information is available on the roadmap 2030 website. Thank you. Okay. Appreciate you. Thank you. Okay, I'll now turn it over to Superintendent Clark to share information on the extended day program. Thank you. President Clevenger, typically board, I come to you at the end of the year to discuss finances and my
019departments and what we are doing to make it financially leaner. Um having gone through some preliminary works, I am saddened to say but I'm also recommending that we discontinue [music] our extended day program. We cannot currently >> [music] >> continue to offer it at its current state. Um at this time it is costing a district closely to $2 million a year to operate. Prior to that we had COVID funds so we were able to do those things. And we lost [music] the COVID fund probably about Help me correct me if I'm wrong. A year ago, December? And so the district picked up that tab. We tried to figure out means to make it work and it's just not valuable It's not It is valuable but it's not fiscal responsible physically responsible at this point in
020time. Because of the amount of money that we were spending, we were hoping to be able to serve more and we're not able to do that. We're serving less [music] than 10% of our K6-K8 population. More so like 5 [music] to 6% with a huge waiting list. We just cannot continue at this rate. Um and I know this is going to come at a shock but I needed to get this information out now so families can have an opportunity to start looking at other avenues. I know there will be things like Boys and Girls Club, KinderCare, in-home daycare, YMCA. There's so many partners out there that I'm sure that they will be able to utilize probably some of the same partners that they utilize in the summer, you know, when extended day is not being
021offered. >> [music] >> And I'm also looking at other avenues. So I do have a few um a few vendors that have reached out that is interested. Champions is one of them. They are actually willing to come at the next board meeting to make a presentation as to how they can assist us. It will not be something that we control. It will definitely be something that the partner will control but we will offer them space in our buildings. Um if you're not familiar with this, I can give you my experience from when I worked up north. We basically allowed them to come in during the time where we were present. So if our custodians were at work at 6:00, we would say you can come into the building at 6:30 and then you would be
022able to stay until 6:00 [music] in the evening. You would have to provide um like cabinets to lock up your own materials. You know, we just wanted to provide the space but contact information was that vendor's. Any issues, you contact that vendor. Everything was done through the vendor. All we all provided was the space. So that is the type of opportunity that I'm looking for for us currently. Another vendor that has approached me is Right At School. Um I have a phone conference or a Zoom, I should say, with them on the 12th so I can better engage um how to move forward. What I'm asking you to do is to by consensus [music] give me the authority to move forward with engaging these other vendors even though we do have a lot of community
023partners here. I'm trying to be proactive in case there's not enough room to serve our families. And if I'm able to do that, I will make sure that I get them before you so [music] that families can make a decision about where they need to go. Any questions? I've got I've got a few. What about our parents in need? Low-income families, will these vendors be respectful to to their needs? Yes, so the the person that I've spoken to just this week basically said their application process is very simple. They will be able to offer zero to little cost [music] to families based on our low socioeconomic community. They want to get in front of the parents and work with them to help with that process. They've already sent me a flyer that has a QR
024code that can be used and I would like to put that out but I want to give that other vendor an opportunity to have a conversation with me, too. Um they also said they have experienced [music] communities similar to ours and have been able to offer something as little as zero to like $50 a week. Now, I want to be clear. We have some families that make a really good living, right? Um so I don't want it to come off as if they're only going to have to pay $50 a week because it is based on your income. But based on the research that's been done so far, this particular vendor believes that they can really help us. The The vendor will be responsible for security for the children? Everything. They're responsible for everything. They
025will even hire our own staff. Okay. So the present staff that is used cuz right now we have a lot of staff that is presently employed, they would try and use them? Yes, they would do their own background checks. They go through their own hiring fair. They go through their own trainings. Okay, wonderful. And then one more question. Um Uh you said it would be a savings to the district and did you say millions? Up to $2 million. And am I speaking [music] correctly? And so you know, I'm saying this now because some of you are new. You weren't here when I said the same statement before. [music] Every year I work with my executive cabinet to cut funds. This year our goal was 10% all around. So even though we knew that we were
026going to have to really look hard at extended day, there's still more [music] cuts coming just so you know. Will we have to amend the budget? No. Okay. This is for next year. Okay. Other questions? We'll look forward to the next meeting then. >> [clears throat] >> Anything else board would like to discuss? Okay. Seeing nothing, let's move on to our consent items. Does anyone want any item pulled from the consent? And do we have a recommendation for the consent? Yes, I recommend the Board of Education approve the consent items as presented which includes A, minutes open closed meetings February 24th, 2026. B, Freedom of Information Report. C, bills. So moved. Second. Discussion? Ms. Bradford. Mr. Joiner? Mr. Clevenger? Mrs. Tyus? Dr. Lorenzen? Mr. Hale? Mr. Reynolds? And Mr. Wetzel? 7 aye, 0 nay. Motion
027carried. Okay, I think Dr. Clark has another statement to make. >> everybody. Extended day's recommended last day would be May 22nd, 2026. I needed to put that out there for my listening audience. Okay. We have a recommendation for the personnel action items. Yes, I recommend the Board of Education approve the personnel action items listed in a memo from Monica Wilkes, Director of Human Resources and the Human Resources Department as presented. So moved. Second. Any discussion? Ms. Bradford. Mr. Reynolds? Mr. Hale? Mrs. Tyus? Mr. Wetzel? Mr. Clevenger? Mr. Joiner? And Dr. Lorenzen? 7 aye, 0 nay. Motion carried. We have a recommendation for an Executive Director of Systems Alignment and Continuous Improvement. Yes, I recommend the Board of Education approve the contract for Dr. Jay Marino as an Executive Director of Systems Alignment and Continuous Improvement
028[music] as presented. So moved. Second. Discussion? Ms. Bradford. Mr. Clevenger? Dr. Lorenzen? Mr. Wetzel? Mr. Joiner? Mr. Hale? Mr. Reynolds? And Mrs. Tyus? 7 aye, 0 nay. Motion carried. We have a recommendation for Food Service Management Company Contract Renewal Agreement. Yes, I recommend the Board of Education approve the Food Service Management Company Contract Renewal Agreement as presented. So move. Second. Discussion? Ms. Bradford. Dr. Lorenzen. Hi. Mr. Hale. Hi. Mr. Reynolds. >> Hi. Mr. Joiner. >> Hi. Mr. Wetzel. Hi. Mrs. Tyus. Hi. And Mr. Clevenger. >> [music] >> Hi. 7 i, 0 nay. Motion carried. We have a recommendation for the Everyday Labs service agreement renewal. Yes, I recommend the Board of Education approve the Everyday Labs service agreement renewal as presented. So move. Second. Discussion? How well is this working? Um it's actually doing really
029well. As of the first semester, truancy rate was down 15%. Uh we have seen uh chronic absence decrease uh in the first semester by 7% and uh it looks like even the cost is a savings. So the district is only paying, looks like, a third of the cost. The rest of it is through grant funds. And what's the difference between truancy and chronic absence? >> That's a good question. Where is Eldon? Oh, I'm sorry. Dr. Lesby, come on up. Yes, let's go. Double trouble. Question regarding truancy, I'm sorry. What's the difference between truancy and chronic absence? So chronic absenteeism is the repeated absences and and maybe not in succession, whereas truancy would be more of an extended period of time. Um the chronic absenteeism is the focus for Everyday Labs in [music] an effort to
030prevent truancy. So Sorry, I'm I'm struggling a little bit. So uh when we're talking about chronic absenteeism, that's talking about like a student that misses like 4 days a month, 5 days a month, and then no? Are you using the the 10%? It's 10% of the school year. Yes. So like 18 days? It is. And and what Dr. Lesby was alluding to with the truancy is those chronically truant students build up to our chronic absenteeism because if a student comes in 30 minutes late twice in 1 week, they've been considered absent for a half day. And if it's over like an hour and 15 minutes, they've been considered absent for a full day. So if they're coming in late every day or two or three days a week, they're racking up one to two absences
031per week and that goes towards their 18. Okay. So um you know, Everyday Labs is just another tool that we're using in addition to our TAOP officers, to our family liaisons, and and to really different members of the student services department to combat truancy and absenteeism. Um get get kids in the building, in the seat, more instructional minutes, better achievement, better graduation rates, better test scores, all that stuff. Thanks. Yeah, that it? Thank you. Okay, Ms. Bradford. Mrs. Tyus. Hi. Mr. Wetzel. >> Hi. Mr. Joiner. >> Hi. Mr. Clevenger. >> Hi. Dr. Lorenzen. Hi. Mr. Reynolds. >> Hi. And Mr. Hale. Hi. 7 i, 0 nay. Motion carried. Thank you. Uh for your general information, Superintendent Clark will bring a resolution recommendation to the Board of Education from Decatur Public School District 61. Do any
032of the board members have questions about this resolution? Okay, Dr. Clark. I make a motion that the board adopt the resolution reference the proposed reclassification of Camera Matter as presented at that and that the superintendent or her designee be authorized and directed to deliver or cause to be delivered the notice to the employee as specified in the resolution. So move. So move. Any discussion? Ms. Bradford. >> Mr. Hale. Hi. Mr. Clevenger. Hi. Mr. Wetzel. Hi. Dr. Lorenzen. Hi. Mrs. Tyus. Hi. Mr. Reynolds. Hi. And Mr. Joiner. Hi. 7 i, 0 nay. Motion carried. Okay, some upcoming dates I think are going to flash up on the screen for your information. March 11th will be the community forum open to the public regarding Roadmap 2030. [music] That's at 5:30 p.m. at both high schools, Eisenhower and
033MacArthur. If you can attend, we'd really appreciate seeing as many people out there as we can get out there. Um nothing more important than the future of our community school system. Uh the 12th, report card distribution. The 13th, parent-teacher conferences, no school for students. Um March 16th through the 20th is spring break. No school in district, but district offices are open. Um April 3rd, Good Friday holiday, no school. District offices are closed. April 6th, Casimir Pulaski holiday observed, no school, district [music] offices are closed. Uh public portion of the next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, [music] March 24th, 2026 at the Call Administration Building. Do I have a motion to adjourn? So move. Second. All in favor, signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed? We stand adjourned.