001United States of America and to the for it stands one nation indivisible and justice for all. >> Thank you. At this time, we'll call the meeting of January 21st to order. And at this time, I will entertain a motion for approval of consent agend. >> Yes. >> Mr. Corley. >> Yes. >> Mr. East. >> Yes. >> Mr. Warfield. >> Yes. >> Dr. Holland. Yes. >> Yes. Motion carries. >> Uh Miss Town is uh out of town and so that is why she's not here. So thank you uh very much. [cough] [clears throat] >> Mr. Brett, >> good evening Mr. Hart. Board of Education members, my name is Jacob Brett, principal at Danville High School. I have with me uh Paulo Tidia. He is a foreign exchange student um from the island of Sardinia. Actually, I'm
002part of Italy. He was originally scheduled to be with us in the fall semester. I'm going to take it. Uh this is a sign he's had a great experience. He decided to stay all year. And so, um, I was asked to talk to him about sharing a little bit about his experiences and presenting to you about his time in Danville, what he's learned, things that he's run into, uh, maybe things that surprised him. And I learned he didn't need much prep. I think he's pretty comfortable. So, I'm going to turn it over to Paulo at this time. >> Okay. >> Hi, good evening to everyone. I'm My name is Paulo Tidia. I'm 17 and I come from Sardinia. It is one of the two island of Italy. And uh almost one years ago, I decided
003to come here to do a whole a semester first in the US because uh being [clears throat] an exchange student for a Italians in general is a big thing of course because now I'm on the other side of the world. So it's it's pretty hard and uh really takes you out of your comfort zone. So it's been a pretty tough decision and uh of course there is a lot of process a lot of money even included in this process and uh yeah the process take me almost an year to complete it because of course you have to do first you have to to question of course if you can do it because you have to have good grades and um all other uh things that your family have to have. So a certain amount of
004money to leave and everything and uh it's a really long process where you have to do vaccines and everything because of course you can't come in the US without uh the right medication and everything and uh after the preparation pro the preparation you have to do a video of yourself presentation basically took me 17 try no 70 tries guys to get it right. [laughter] And basically you have to send the video and all the families that are in the US they have to see it and if they likes you they take you. In fact I have my host mom with me today. Oh, >> when I first come here, it was uh really different because of course basically it's a completely different world from what I'm used to because I live in a small town
005where they are two no 400 people maybe. So it's uh really different uh living in a of course is not the biggest town in Illinois but it's pretty big for me. Uh and basically everything is different. The school uh sports uh the food. >> Mhm. [laughter] >> Uh so I'm been through a process where I have to get used to everyone everything and everyone because of course this is not my my language. So uh and I studied since I'm five because in Italy it's um you have to you have to learn English. It's uh every school you go you have to learn English. So at least I was a little bit prepared and um so everything was different in fact like the school like I wasn't used to like change every hour the classes and
006everything and even the fact that I have to pick my own class is really different because like in Italy you have to choose the entire school to to go to like you don't uh oh yeah seven hour I have photography next hour I have cooking or stuff like that you'd have to choose the entire school and that focus you on what you want to do when you grow up. Instead, here you have a lot more possibilities. So, I like this thing because I can choose on my own what I want to do and how to divide my time in in the school. H it's been a really interesting uh opportunity this one because um again everything is different. So, if you're not used to get out of your comfort zone, it's really hard to get
007used to every everything. In fact, I lot I I knew a lot of people that came here and after a few months went away because of course uh they couldn't get used to the lifestyle here because it's really really different. But, uh luckily I went in a good school in uh where I meet a lot of friends. I played soccer here and now I'm training for baseball, new sport because of course in Italy we don't have major league or nothing. So [laughter] would be fun. No, but I was pretty lucky because everything was uh on my favor. So I'm yeah I'm pretty lucky to be here first and uh to meet a principal that uh let me stay here in the in this school uh a family that love me and uh a lot of
008friends where I can go out with them play sports and everything. So I'm uh pretty happy to be here. I'm pretty happy to be here today to share my my thing with you guys. So, I'm uh yeah, I'm pretty happy and uh hope that uh a lot of people after me will come here because uh it's a nice town. It's a nice school with nice people with nice teacher. So, I hope that after me next year and everything will come other people not even from Italy from uh because from all over the world they want to come here in the US. So, think that is not going to be hard to find someone else that replace me next year. [laughter] And uh yeah, thank you again to let me speak uh here today and uh
009it's been a pleasure. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Well, we welcome you and we hope your experience continues to be really good in Danville. Um I'm thinking that we need a public relations person >> for Danville and for our school system. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. You do a good job. >> Awesome. appreciate it a lot. >> At this time, we will entertain public comments. Do we have any? Nope. Nope. Okay, moving right along. Treasures report. >> Just a motion to approve. >> Okay. >> Then in that case, I will entertain a motion to approve the treasur's report. Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. >> Uh just a comment. Uh the way that it's being presented that you'll be able to see online, I think is a lot easier to understand. So, thank you
010for everyone behind the scenes, Mr. Hart, Miss Parker, others, obviously, our treasurer. Um >> uh though I think it's still important to note that we're going down in our balance and I think it's also important that the board with this report uh state the obvious out loud, say the quiet part out loud. Uh we are going to be in a deficit this year between four and $6 million. So, um, it's not going to change how I vote on this, but even with all our hard work, we have so much more work to do. I don't think I'm speaking out of turn to say that that is likely to be what happens. Uh, just looking at the numbers myself and talking to others, I think there'll be a budget amendment having to come because of our
011spending. That's all for me. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Roll call vote. Thank you, >> Mr. Eastston. >> Yes, >> Dr. Holler. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Miss P. >> Yes. >> Mr. Warfield. >> I abstain. >> Mrs. Holl. >> Yes. Uh motion carries five with one abstension. Thank you. And and a good segue to that is how excited I am to introduce our interimm business director. Um as we talk about the challenges that we face. Um and we face challenges. Uh we have someone at the helm to help lead us through. and I couldn't be more excited. Um, he wants to introduce himself, so I'll let you take over. Mr. Pence, Todd Pence, >> here. >> Yes, please. Thank you. >> Have to turn this thing on some, huh? >> Okay. Um,
012my name is Todd Pence. I'm retired superintendent 25 years and uh the last 20 we're at St. Joe great school district. Uh it's an honor to to be here and to to help you guys sip through the numbers and um I I just think my biggest goal is to give everyone solid numbers so they know exactly what we've got and especially the board when they have to start making some decisions down the road if we get to that point. So, um, what I've done the first few weeks, trying to break it down by department and and meet with each of the of the directors and show them what they've got and, uh, um, just clean up budget items that, uh, we're kind of left hanging. So, we're shifting our way through that. It's kind of
013like a big puzzle, but we're we're getting there. >> So, um, I don't know what else I could tell you. We're uh um live in St. Joe, family, three kids, youngest has a basketball game tonight at ISU. So, I'll be heading over to a little later. So, um again, it's been a pleasure working with everyone here. It's been super helpful. And uh um just got a few more zeros and a few more layers to work with here, but uh we're getting get through that and getting used to it. So, >> appreciate it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> I took the opportunity to uh introduce myself um because he comes highly regarded by some people that I have high regard for. So I wanted to let him know that. But I was overwhelmed,
014Mr. Pence, with your enthusiasm for Danville. That was um that was so refreshing to hear how much you like this community and already have invested in the community. So thanks. We really appreciate it. oldest son has moved to the community, left Nashville to come here. Um, doesn't happen very often. [clears throat] >> U, but we're we've been buying up houses for a year and trying to trying to make it a nicer nicer place for people to live. >> So, >> thank you very much. >> Thank you. I uh at this time would like to uh we have a first reading on commencement 2026. Can you believe we're talking about it already? >> My goodness. >> Mr. Gorley, Northridge. >> Good evening, Mr. Hart, Mrs. Parker, members of the board. I am Michael Gorley, the building
015principal at Northridge Middle School. And so just come to you tonight and ask for the consideration of our eighth grade stepup program that we hold at the end of each school year. Uh the date we have selected is May 22nd this year. That's a Friday. Uh it'll be held at Danville High School in the auditorium at 1:30. Uh first student will be providing transport transportation for the students to uh this the high school from the middle school and we are providing them with the step-up shirt. So, they'll be in the attire in that uniform for the ceremony. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> Will the high school be in session then? >> Yes, we are. Um, we've always been in session while they have the ceremony auditorium. We uh we make it
016work. >> Haven't had any issues in the past. >> Mr. Brents. >> Good evening again, Board of Education, Mr. Hart, Mr. Parker. I'm here to um propose the Danville High School class of 2026 graduation to be on Saturday, May 23rd. It'll be held at the Palmer Arena. Um on the memo you have in front of you, it does say 10:00 a.m. There's been some um recent discussion on that as of today as that time has maybe pose some challenges to some local businesses in the area. Um so that discussion is ongoing. So that time is not necessarily firm as of right now, but the date and the location are firm. Saturday, May 23rd at the Palmer Arena. We may have to adjust the time depending on some conversations Mr. Hart will be having. >> Great.
017>> Questions? >> Anybody? >> Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. >> Bilingual educator licensing teacher vacancy grant. Mr. Rice. Good evening board. Mr. Hart, Chris Rice, director of early learning. I have one item for your consideration this evening in regards to our Illinois State Board of Education qualifications for our English learner programs. Uh, the state creates criteria based on a couple different circumstances for our programs. one uh if we have 200 or fewer students enrolled in our program and then if our program exceeds that enrollment. Since 2016, we've had a steady increase in our e population in our district. Uh this year with fiscal year 26, this is the first time that we have gone past that 200 student threshold in our district. So isby law states a person designated to oversee an
018e program in a district with 200 or more students is required to comply with the requirements of ISBY 23 mil Illinois administrative code. To be compliant with this code, our title one grants coordinator, Mrs. Brandon Kashki, must complete two additional courses for a district to maintain compliance. If approved by the board this evening, the additional certification courses could be paid for with funds allocated from our teacher vacancy grant and the approximate cost of $1,125. So, I would ask for your approval. >> Can I please have a motion to approve? >> Motion to approve. >> Thank you. Second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any questions? It's state law, right? >> State law. Yes. >> Gota do gota be compliant, >> right? Okay. Thank you. Uh, roll call vote. M Robinson. >> Mrs. Corbin? >> Yes. >>
019Mr. Eastston? >> Yes. >> Mr. Warfield? >> Yes. >> Dr. Holland? >> Miss Fang? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Holland? >> Yes. Motion carries 60. Thanks, Mr. Rice. Appreciate it. >> Item eight, district discipline improvement plan recommendation, Miss Marisha Parker. Thank you. Good evening, Board of Education. Mr. Hart, Marishia Parker, associate superintendent. Um, so ISB has identified our district as being in the top 20% for one or more exclusionary discipline metrics that they have um for the past three consecutive years. And with that um we had to create a district improvement plan, district discipline improvement plan. And so this plan was developed collaboratively with building principles, assistant principles, um, directors, assistant directors. Um, and one thing that I will note is that we acknowledge that our discipline did increase from 24 to 25. Um, but in
020response to that, we think that our plan outlines a more proactive approach. Um, and we want to focus more on staff training and additional supports for students. And so I'm going to say we are confident, but I am confident that um our efforts will improve our discipline and we should see a decrease in the the years to come. And so with that, I am requesting that this um plan has to be submitted to the board by to the state by February 3rd. and I'm requesting um your approval for that tonight. >> Thank you. Uh could I have a motion, please, to approve the district discipline improvement plan? >> Thank you. >> Second. First and second. Uh any questions for Miss Parker? >> I just had a quick question. Our implicit bias training through Ed Leaders
021Network. I'm familiar with uh Ed I'm I'm familiar a little bit with it, but it's about an hour to take or is it like 20 minutes? Do you know? >> Um I don't know the exact time, but it is a recorded training that people take through Ed Leaders Network. It's self-paced and so people take it. I don't know the exact time, >> but they've been learning about implicit bias for their teachers licenses and other things. So it's not a new concept to most of our staff. >> It is not new. No, >> not a new concept. Okay. Um because to be pointed out by Isby in this way, they think we might have an implicit bias problem. I would agree with you, Mr. Eastston, and that was something that the committee spoke about um in
022depth. And so, we're going to look at in addition to Ed Leaders Network providing some um sessions during our professional development um days as early as this coming February provided by Dr. Tan from the U ofi. So, we are looking to expand that implicit bias training. >> Very good. Thank you. Anything else? We have a motion and a second. We need a roll call vote. >> Mr. Eastston? >> Yes. >> Miss Bang? >> Yes. >> Dr. Holler? >> Yes. >> Mr. Warfield? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Corley? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Holler? >> Yes. Motion carries 60. >> Thank you for the work. >> Thank you. >> Are you doing press policy? Oh, it's you. [laughter] Okay. our favorite favorite topic for those of you who don't know those of you that are new uh we
023belong to um we subscribe to press I don't remember what that stands for exactly >> press um but they do the legal work for us to make sure that we're up to date on uh things that are required rather than us as a district trying to keep up with all the ISBY requirements things that are mandated from us uh the press organization does that for us and then they update us pretty regularly. And so at this time um press policy issue 120 and this is the first reading. >> Yes. So um Marisha Parker again good evening. Um I'm presenting press policy um issue 120 for first reading. Um there I in your I think information you should have the updates for to look over. Um the we had this was also a collaborative effort. So
024what we did um we met with district directors. We do have two representatives on our committee from the board. Thank you Mr. Eastston and Mrs. Town in her absence. Um and so we look at press's recommendations and then from there we decide um do they fit our district and are we going to accept those recommendations? it is uncommon that we don't accept those recommendations and so um because press has been vetted by educational experts as well as lawyers and so um they've kind of done all the work for us as Mrs. Howerin already said and so with that I present um press policy 120 updates for first reading. >> Thank you very much and we'll see you back >> at the next meeting. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I would like to
025make one comment. You're good. um with press policies. So there were some operational business office type policies that are presented and since this is a first reading I thought it would be a good time. Um so in press policy 410 and 480 talks about the audit being due in October 15th. Um I will be modifying that for everyone's preview before the next board meeting. Um right now it is January 21st and our audit still isn't completed. So to think that we can have it done by October 15th um it it's an issue that everybody across the state, every school district is having. Um so I will look at a way to modify the wording of that and not change um the meaning of that um policy. So just an FYI that that will change between
026now and our February board meeting. Thank you. Okay. Item number 10, superintendent goals and evaluation tool. As promised, um we are looking at uh goals for our superintendent uh along with uh to pair with this contract. Um we we have been negligent uh in completing a superintendent evaluation. We were pretty much prevented from doing it. And my promise to the community and to the school district was we would we would do it. Mr. Hart has been nothing but absolutely cooperative in this effort. Uh we started the process. Um each board member uh stated four goals uh for Mr. Hart. Mr. Hart also gave us his four goals. We um uh put all those together and quite interestingly we pretty much were all on the same page about what we expected. Um the goals are aligned
027to um board policy alignment. Is this going to be posted on the web page >> when it's approved? >> When when it's approved, it'll be so that you can see how we have aligned board policy um with the goals that we've established for for Mr. Hart. Our next step is to actually do the evaluation. We're working on that tool right now what that looks like, but we'll take these goals and do uh an evaluation uh of Mr. to heart and we'll probably let them know >> that that you're okay that that you're doing okay. Okay. But let me tell you I want to I want to tell you what our four goals were so that you can be aware of it. Our first goal is student learning growth and support. Um the the superintendent shall
028provide professional leadership that supports district 118's educational philosophy and goals by promoting continuous improvement in student achievement, growth, equity, and whole child development. And when it gets posted online, you can see how we plan to measure that. Um the second goal is personnel leadership and professional culture. The superintendent shall lead human resources efforts consistent with district 118 policy by recruiting, developing, and sustaining a highquality workforce and fostering a positive professional culture. And again, you can see the measurement tools that we've established for that. The third goal is financial stewardship and operations. The superintendent shall ensure district 18's financial stability, transparency, and operational effectiveness by managing resources responsibly and aligning the annual budget with board priorities and student needs. And the last goal is communication, governance, and community engagement. The superintendent shall maintain productive and transparent
029working relationships with the board, staff, families, and community members, ensuring the implementation of policies, clear communication, and broad engagement. So, you can see that we have certainly set the bar high for our superintendent and uh we have no doubt that he will meet those. Um, and we'll get back with you when we've completed our evaluation. But I wanted everyone to know the process is started and if you have any questions or input, you know, feel free to contact us. We're happy to to entertain anything. Okay. Uh item 11, approval of board education travel expenses. Um we are we are in a time crunch uh to decide whether or not we're going to the National School Board Association meeting. There are funds set aside for the board to do that. Um these when we went to
030the state board convention um many of us attended uh superintendent evaluations uh where we got our ideas and our direction. So these meetings are really beneficial for the board. Um I am asking for approval uh for all the board members to attend although I don't think all board members will be able to go. Um but we will get back with you on who's actually able. It is in San Antonio April 10th through the 12th. Um, but in order to for us to fill out the paperwork to be able to go, uh, we need to approve this. So, uh, I would recommend approval and I need a motion. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any questions? Have you all received the information from the national board about what these what the meeting is and
031what the have they received that? Do you know? >> I received a link to the website. Yeah. >> Okay. Of course she has. Thank you very much. Miss Robinson, roll call vote. >> Dr. Howard? >> Yes. >> Mr. Eastston? >> Yes. >> Miss P? >> Yes. >> Mr. Warfield? >> Yes. >> Mor? >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Uh, motion carries 60. Thank you. Umformational items 2627 school year registration and registration fees. >> Is that you Miss Robinson? >> Registration. [laughter] >> She is our registar um officially. >> So um good evening. This year we will be starting um registration soon. So, we will be opening up the returning student portal for all parents on it'll actually open up on March the 30th. So, right ahead of parent teacher conferences. Um the returning student portal
032will be open so you can get help and access to your um to the registration if you need that um at any of your children's schools. And then we will have a centralized registration on June the 9th and that will be at the Danville High School Fieldhouse. It will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. And we will throughout the summer have some popup registration since we are doing the centralized registration early um for parents, you know, if you want to have get it out of the way. Our hope is that as many of our returning students will register so that we can have transportation available because that is very important. We want to see everybody start school on the first day of school. But all students new to the district and you know
033any returning students will be able to come to Dambo High School on June the 9th to have um assistance if they need it with registering. There will also be um mobile health clinics available as well. So that will help some of our children who need to get immunizations and physicals and things of that nature. They can um get that done as well. So we are going to again open up early for returning students March the 30th so you can get ahead of it. And then um June the 9th will be for everyone new to the district and returning. And then um throughout the summer, you'll get some announcements on when we are available to help any parents who still have not been able to register their students. >> And you got the registration fee? >>
034I do. >> Thank you very much. Questions? Anyone? Good. >> Uh and lastly, uh superintendent board comments. [clears throat] >> Registration fees. Oh. >> So, um, my hope is at this board, I'm looking for some feedback. It's that time of year where we start looking at, um, registration or instructional fees. The last several years, we've been in a financial position where we could wave instructional fees. In fact, we've done a little bit more than that. We've bought school supplies and book bags for a lot of our children. And um I I think just with the the revenue that we're looking at and the expenditures we have, I think it really um there needs to be a discussion on how we'll proceed for the 2627 school year. Uh right now I've talked to Mrs. Truex and
035we do have money available through title one to look at school supplies this year and book bags. I I think that we've come to the conclusion that the book bags because we're looking for specifics at Northridge the high school we would continue to um or we'll recommend that we continue funding those but school supplies I I really feel like there needs to be a discussion how to proceed and the same with instructional and lab fees. So if anybody has any opinion any ideas please um I I would welcome the feedback. When would you like that discussion to occur? >> Right now. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. If if it if um anybody has any feedback now, that is fine. And if not, um I will certainly put out some information what we've done in
036the past, what it's cost, and what it would look like going forward this year. And if you could, you know, even respond to an email um and give me an idea of what your feelings are, I would appreciate that as well. >> Can you give us a cost estimate? Uh was it >> 275,000 per student? >> No, I I actually meant per person. >> Perch $50 per kit. You buy one. I think the high school we did the high school backount. Mhm. >> And does is there a separate registration fee as well as that kit fee or >> I don't do registration. >> Well, but that's my question. >> Yes. >> Is is there >> Yes, there is there's a fee for lab classes um high school Northridge and then there's an instructional fee as
037well that we used to assess and I think it was I think the last time it went up it was 30 >> 32. >> Yes, it was $35 somewhere in that range. kindergarten was 26 >> and we were able to pay that out of >> when we had er funds >> we we waved the fees >> but we no longer as you all are aware have er funds that's why we're having this discussion does that figure does that count book bags and the school supplies or just it does count both >> it's >> there any way to break it out like school supplies and notebook bag or is it just one >> I can ask for a quote that just gives me a quote for books and a quote for without the um you can
038do that. I would say I've talked to a lot of teachers and they really like it because you know I never get I never get asked now for school supplies. I used to get asked all the time and now I provide this provide this at the beginning of the year. I don't get any requests for school supplies the rest of the year. I like the school supplies and everything across the board is the same >> and they all get the same thing, the same amount. I I really like that part. >> I mean, not for the clear. >> No, North High School, right? I just I don't know. I was >> And we did talk about that, Mrs. Trucks. We just talked about um looking at the backpacks for backpacks for elementary and um maybe
039having the parents um you know fund that. You know I know the kids like fun book bags, cartoon characters, what have you. So, um that would >> clear >> and so those are hard to find and thanks to Mr. Mark. I would need to know soon because we're getting ready to do that. >> Did we do that this year? Clear book bags for Mark Deon. >> We did. >> Thought we did. >> We did. Okay. >> That's a good idea. I just didn't realize we did. >> I think we did. They requested it. >> Okay. >> And it is true that a number of community organizations have book bag drives and supply as well or just book bags are are they >> they will call us. We can say we would prefer book bags. I
040mean they call my office and ask what we want. Okay. >> I like the school supplies program. I mean, I'm going to say I like that. I think it just takes the burden off the parent and everyone has the same thing and they start here with their no one comes to school without a kid sitting on their desk. It's a lot of Do you coordinate that effort with the community services that are providing book bags for kids? Is is there a coordination? >> No. >> You mean like I I'm afraid >> somebody help me. What are some of the community organizations that offer book bag programs? The kids can come and pick up the the churches. I don't know about um any >> the answer is no. >> They don't. >> Oh, okay. >> Right.
041I know churches will call us and say what you need. We know you don't need school supplies. >> But the amount drastically that we received was not near enough to cover and I weren't buying them to have them. I would a lot of um and we just have them, you know, on hand, but I I and it was hard to come up with school supplies here, >> like we would have to constantly ask people for school supplies. So, when we decided to put that in a size, >> it worked very well. Um for title, >> okay, >> I have a I just I think it's important, Mr. heart. You already know, you probably anticipated my comment. $18 plus million deficit last year. We're going to be in a $4 million deficit this year. 80% of
042our students are in poverty. It is a conundrum, but um I I don't know, you know, how you eat an elephant is one bite at a time. $250,000 is a lot of money. Quarter of a million dollars. Um, I don't know what the answer is. Um, but I I if we're not careful, we're going to be asking the community to bail us out of a a really big financial problem. And if we start asking them to bail us out now before it gets worse, I think that might be something worth considering. That's my only comment. >> Thank you. Can you Oh, okay. >> I'm sorry. Can you go? >> No, it's okay. I'll just email you. >> No, you can you just come up here. >> I can [laughter] >> because that that mic is
043what uh is going is broadcasting. So, >> okay. Well, I'll look forward to your email, Miss Porter. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Thank you. Now we'll have board comments. Mr. Eastston. >> All right. So, I typed out what I would say, so I'd say it fast and succinctly. [clears throat] Um, I want to speak tonight about school safety, a staffing reality, and a responsibility that I think this board has. Right now, our district serves 4,900 students, give or take, [clears throat] from kindergarten through 12th grade. We got Danville High School, Kenneth Bailey Academy, Northridge, South View, and six elementary schools, Edison, Liberty, Me Park, Mark Denman, Northeast, Southwest. Many of you have these memorized in your mind, and you know them. You know the people, you know the students that
044are there. We're grateful for everyone that's serving in [clears throat] these spaces. Uh, but we only have three uh school resource officers and none of them are assigned to our elementary schools. Um, I think it's something we need to pay attention to, especially when you start to see the discipline report. Um, I think that having trusted adults in schools could help with us having so many issues with discipline. Uh, but it's a reality I think that deserves our attention. It's not a criticism. It's really a capacity problem that we have. Um, and it's not it's definitely not a criticism of our school resource officers or the Danville Police Department. and our officers do really good work and they are stretched very thin. Heaven forbid one of them break an arm or get sick. Um, and
045we know that I know and I think many of you in this room know that our school resource officers are nearing retirement, which means the problem's not going to go away and we're going to have new people in positions where we have seasoned people now. So, it's about to get worse for us in this area. If we don't do anything, we're not maintaining safety for our schools and we're accepting a gradual reduction of safety for our schools. I think that it's important to know that um one officer cannot be everywhere at once. And we currently expect in this district three officers to cover a large high school, a very large high school actually, an alternative academy, a middle school, an upper elementary school, and six elementary buildings with no on-site officer at all. The officers
046are rotating. They respond reactively often. uh they have relationships with students and staff, but those things are limited because of how stretched they are. Their response times during emergencies depends on chance and availability. I don't think that's sustainable for safety. Nationally, it's not a best practice. You can look around to other school districts around us. Some of them have security officers and SRO's. But specifically, if you just look at professional guidance, one school resource officer per school building or one school resource officer per 10,00 students is a planning recommendation for the National Association of School Resource Officers. Um the National Association also recognizes we're not getting enough funding from the federal or state government on this issue. That is true. Uh but we are by that standard still significantly underst staffed. Um I thought about
047this a lot. Um especially with all the policing happening in our society right now and that you can just watch the news tonight if you don't know what I'm speaking about. Elementary schools though in my opinion are not too young for a safety presence. And when some people hear an elementary school mentioned with school resource officers they think they don't belong there. But if you remember what school resource officers do, they're not disciplinarians. They're relationship builders. They protect people. They're our first responders. And if we had a school resource officer in an elementary school, we would have children who felt safe, not surveiled. I think we have entirely too much reliance on cameras in in this district. That's a whole another conversation I don't have time for today, which is a reactive thing, not helpful
048in my opinion at keeping people safe. uh school resource officers serve as trusted adults in the building. They elementary buildings staff can feel supported because they have someone who knows about medical issues that the students might have, behavioral issues, especially with as many um special education programs that we have in our district. And they also know how to handle safety emergencies. They're a visible deterrent to outside threats. Obviously, we know that is something we need. Uh we do fire drills even though we rarely have fires. We do lockdown drills because we have a belief that preparation matters. I think that our willingness to accept that there's no officer in any elementary building is not proactive and it's reactive. Safety is more than just having someone respond to an emergency. School resource officers um are not
049just there for the worst day we can imagine. A properly trained school resource officer can help identify threats early. And the ones we have now will tell you they have helped stop so many disturbances. It would blow our minds if they were even here allowed to speak to us about some of the things that they uh they broke up before it even happened. They build trust so students can speak up. They support administrators so that administrators can do their jobs of administrating and not uh other things. They keep law enforcement actually out of routine discipline. This is an very important thing especially in a a district that has so many families that are impacted by law enforcement at home where they live. So, we can only have officers do these things if they're assigned to
050buildings consistently, that they have manageable case loads. I'm almost done. They're integrated into our school planning and uh three officers across 10 buildings is sort of embarrassing to even think that that's remotely enough. And I know many don't think it is enough, but it is a shared responsibility. So, uh, if Chief Yates is listening, I I recognize you have staffing challenges and I'm grateful that even we have hope that there's maybe more coming soon to help us, one more this fall. We hope that's true. Uh, and you have staffing challenges in the city. Uh, Mayor Williams, we recognize I recognize a budget pressure. We have one here. We've already I've spoken of that tonight. Superintendent Hart, I know we've talked about this. you have some demands on the school, but um if something happens in
051a school without adequate staffing, no one will ask how hard we tried. They will ask why we accepted this risk. So, I think it's time for us to publicly jointly plan, have planning conversations, not just have what I see happening right now, which is a quiet acceptance that this is just a shortage that we can't do anything about. Um, I think it's important that someone be planning a multi-year school resource officer staffing plan, especially when you see the names of the people we have now and you know they're leaving. It is not a debate or a question. We know we know when they're leaving. We know what day they're leaving. They'll tell you if you ask them. And then a serious discussion about adding a school resource off officer to cover elementary schools. Obviously, you
052can't do that full-time. We don't have the money at the moment, but I'm not asking for us to be perfect. I just think we need to be making progress. Um, so what I'm asking for is that all of our secondary ele all of our secondary schools, sorry, have a dedicated SRO. For us right now, that would mean Danville High School would have one all to themselves. Kenneth Bailey would have one all to themselves. Northridge Middle School would have one all to themselves. And by definition, secondary schools include 11 and 12 year olds. So that would mean our South View upper elementary which has 10, 11, and 12 year olds, some 13 year olds. Uh by definition, secondary school, that they would have a school resource officer presence there uh quickly that we make a plan
053for it. Um I think our students deserve it. We don't have money um to uh do with this on our own, but um we can't promise that nothing will ever happen, but we can promise that we acted responsibly and on what we knew and that we had a plan that we would do better. And that's all for me. >> Thank you very much, Dr. Howerin. >> You'll be relieved to know I have nothing written. >> [laughter] [snorts] >> But I do want to say this that I'm still in my first year on the board. And one of the reasons that I wanted to be a part of this is that I recognized a lot through conversations with my wife over the last several years that the problems confronting the school district were monumental. And they
054still are monumental. But I feel in the few months that I've been a part of it that we have a direction and we have a plan and we have sensible people in place to enact those things and I starting with Mr. heart and uh with our new uh financial person on down the line. I think we are led by Marisha. I didn't didn't forget you. I'm sorry. I should have looked to I should have looked to my right. Um but but the thing is I think that all of the leadership is very good in place and very very proactive in terms of what the problems are. We we've got problems we can't solve. We have have problems we have to address and I think we're doing that and there are some fires that were burning
055from long ago. superintendent evaluation for instance and that's what prompted me to say this tonight that that was left hanging for years now not I mean that's something that we've moved forward to appropriately and there are many other examples which I'll let other people speak but but anyway I am honored to have the privilege of sitting where I am and to understand what's going on and in awe actually of the people that are guiding us >> thank you Miss Corley I will come back to you, >> Miss Payne. >> Yes. Um, one I enjoyed our foreign student. His uh talk was was very revealing. Um, back in the olden days, at least when I was in high school, we had eight exchange students every semester. Um, it would be nice if we could have more,
056but I'm certainly glad that he is enjoying the experience. Um the registration I'm glad we're having an additional date in March. It gives parents uh more opportunity to make sure they have everything in order uh so their child can start at the uh beginning the very first day of school. And with all these changes in health and shots and things, this gives uh the parents additional time. And welcome back from Christmas break. Um before you know it, since our Danville High School principal has told us when graduation is, uh it just seemed like it's right around the corner. >> Thank you, Mr. Warfield. Um, I want to second that with our foreign exchange student, uh, Paulo. I think he did a wonderful job of seeing some of the positives in Danville that I think sometimes
057we maybe take for granted that we might miss. Um, so that outside perspective. Um, I absolutely appreciate it. He was very well spoken. Um, and he showed a lot of positive attitude and perspective there. So I appreciate him coming in. Um, I am also looking forward to hearing more about the uh district discipline improvement plan. Um, just joining this board, I am I'm seeing a lot more cases of the level of discipline that actually has to happen in this district. Um, the struggles that the teachers are going through, the struggles the students are going through. Um, and so my eyes have been open to that. So, I'm looking forward to, you know, some changes in in managing that implicit bias and hopefully creating a more positive environment for the students, but the teachers as well.
058Um, I think it can be stressful to have to handle the level of discipline that you are. I respect what you are doing and I'm hoping that it becomes more positive for everyone involved in that. Um, and that's that's all I got. >> Thank you. >> Now, Miss Corley, I don't >> Okay. Do I not know something? [laughter] Well, I just I've elevated you since you're the vice >> appreciate that. >> President to the >> Yeah. >> I wanted to give a shout out to our district's crisis team. I met with them last week and we are working to get a secondary reunification location for our district, which is crucial. I think our our city is large enough that we need that in the event of a crisis. So, I know our team, correct me
059if I'm wrong, meets three times a week. I think that's huge and I want to thank you for pouring all that effort into that. For the ones that met with me, um I'm very passionate about the safety in this district. That is one of the reasons I do want to go to the national conference. There's a seminar on on the safety in schools and we all know how crucial that is. So that's very important to me. So I just want to thank you for meeting with me about that. Superintendent goals. I am so excited that we got that done since our last board meeting. Um, little pressure put on us by Mr. Eastston, but we needed it >> and I'm very proud that we were able to pull that together. And I personally do want
060those posted for transparency sake on our website. And we also worked on board goals that I would not mind being put on the website for transparency's sake. So I feel we are working very well together as a new board. I'm very excited about this board. the crossover and the the overlapping of the board goals that we brought and for Mr. Hart's goals just boggled my mind how they overlapped. We each came and uh Mr. Robinson put them all together, the ones that over overlapped and I could not believe how like-minded we are on the goals for this district. So, it's very encouraging to see. So, thank you. >> Thank you. I [clears throat] echo what everyone has said. Um, I do want to point out to the public that our uh, school resource officers are
061not provided to us by the district. We pay for them. So, as we're talking about our financial constraints, I want to encourage you all to think about that. Would it be wonderful to have one in every building? Absolutely. But uh we currently pay 2thirds of the first two salary and 100% of the third officer's salary. That's substantial. Um so appreciate the work that you did and agree with you that it would be great to have it, but under the financial constraints that we're looking at, that's the reality. So, [snorts] I wanted to say that I want to appreciate I want to say how much I appreciate the work that everyone has put in and our dedication to moving the district forward in a path that is transparent and something that everyone can be proud of.
062Um, just an anecdotal note, we we have been parents to exchange students a lot, so I really appreciated hearing from him. Um, and um, I I'm a little worried. Uh, two of our exchange students were um from Denmark and one was from Venezuela. And I feel like uh our young man from Turkey, I probably ought to call him and say, "You better watch out." Um, I just the way the world is going, it makes me I mean, these are our children. We brought them into our home and and they they and their families are our children. So, just a note that it's nice that this young man feels safe and feels like our district is a a place that he wants to be. So, that was good. Mr. Hart, >> did you already do it?
063>> I No, just theformational part. Um, I really don't have anything um tonight. I just really do want to say thank you for everybody that comes um and is part of the school district. So, thank you. >> At this time, we are going to suspend the open meeting. We're doing things a little uh the other way tonight. Uh we're going to go into closed meeting for the purposes of discipline. Um so, we will hear those cases and uh then we will go back into open meeting uh for resolution of that. Um so at this time we we ask everyone thank you very much for coming and that you may now leave.