Metro East Sun

Alton Community Unit School District No. 11 Board of Education met Monday, Nov. 7.

Here is the agenda as provided by Alton CUSD No. 11:

PROCEEDINGS 

Board of Education 

Alton Community Unit School District No. 11 

1854 East Broadway Alton, IL 62002 

November 7, 2016 7:30 A.M.

A special meeting of the Board of Education was held at the Administrative Center, 1854 East Broadway, Alton, Illinois at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2016.

The following board members answered present: Ed Gray, David Fritz, David Lauschke, Vivian Monckton, Barry Macias, George Terry and David Goins

Others who were present: Mark Cappel, Interim Superintendent; Mike Bellm, Alton High School Principal; Mike Brey, Alton High School Assistant Principal; Deputy Dunham, Madison County Sheriff’s Office; Larry Busch, Hearing Officer; Kara Twichell, Secretary to the Board of Education and Teri Trapani, Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent

Student No. 180697, and Mrs. Smith (family friend) were present.

Motion: Approval of Agenda of Special Meeting It was moved by Ms. Monckton, seconded by Mr. Lauschke and carried unanimously that the Board of Education approve the agenda of special meeting.

Citizen Statement: None

Motion: Close Session It was moved by Ms. Monckton, seconded by Mr. Lauschke and carried unanimously that the Board of Education adjourn to a closed session meeting for the purpose of conducting a student disciplinary hearing.

Motion: Open Session It was moved by Ms. Monckton, seconded by Mr. Macias and carried unanimously that the Board of Education resume in open session.

Motion: Action on Student Discipline Hearing It was moved by Mr. Lauschke, seconded by Ms. Monckton and carried unanimously that the Board of Education, after considering evidence and mitigation witnesses, finds as follows: based upon and after the Board's consideration of the evidence and testimony of the expulsion hearing held on November 3, 2016, the Board of Education find that Student No. 180697 has committed an act of gross misconduct as charged by the District's Administration in that Student No. 180697 committed Assault & Battery, Disorderly Conduct, Physical Aggression and Engaging in Activity that Constitutes an Interference with School Purposes and Educational Function on October 20, 2016 in violation of Board Policy 7:210 Expulsion Procedures.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education expel Student No. 180697 for two years (November 7, 2016 – November 7, 2018, with option to return on Principal’s Probation in January 2018 pending good grades, attendance and discipline at the Safe School) but that the expulsion be held in abeyance and Student No. 180697 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: The Student Handbook and Agenda that is passed out at Registration. The Back-to-School Assembly covers student behavior and expectations. Suspended Curriculum is presented in each classroom over the first two days of school. There is signage at various locations around school to remind students of expectations in those areas. There is supervision in the areas where the students can congregate in the mornings. There is supervision in the hallways between classes.

Specific Interventions: There had been peer mediation to resolve this issue between Edwin and Student A during the previous week. This had been held by two AHS Social Workers.

Edwin had been sent home for the remainder of the day after the completion of this mediation, to avoid problems that could be a result of the mediation.

There is signage are various locations around school to remind students of expectations in those areas.

There is supervision in the areas where the students can congregate in the mornings. Typically there is at least one administrator and two Security people in the Gym/Auditorium Lobby in the morning until the time when the students are released to go to their classrooms.

There is supervision in the hallways between classes. Typically there are teachers standing near their doorways, as well as security and administration moving around the building during the passing periods.

There was a teacher very near the place where Edwin initially confronted Student A who intervened and stepped between the students to separate them.

There was another teacher nearby who called the office for assistance.

There was security in the general area who arrived quickly to separate Edwin from Student D.

There was additional security who arrived to remove Edwin from the room.

There were members of administration who arrived to help restore order to the class.

There was a deputy (school resource officer) who arrived to restrain Edwin in the hallway after he was removed from the class.

Removing Student No. 180697 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 substantially disrupt, impede or interfere with the operation of the school. The duration of Student No. 180697’s expulsion is appropriate based upon the gravity of the misconduct, the illegal nature of the misconduct, the safety concerns and disruption caused by the misconduct, 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. 180697 fail to fully participate in the alternative school program and the alternative school refers the student back to the District, Student No. 180697 shall be immediately expelled from Alton Community Unit School District #11 for the remainder of the District Administration’s recommended expulsion duration, through November 7, 2018. DOB 9/12/99

President Gray adjourned the meeting at 8:16 a.m.