Alton Community Unit School District 11 Board of Education met Oct. 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
A special meeting of the Board of Education was held at the Administrative Center at 550 Landmarks Blvd., Suite A, Alton, Illinois at 8:14 a.m. on October 11, 2019.
The following board members answered present: David Fritz, Rosetta Brown, Vivian Monckton, Ed Gray, David Lauschke and Barry Macias Absent: David Goins
Others who were present: Mark Cappel, Superintendent; Mike Bellm, Alton High School Principal; Mike Brey, Alton High School Assistant Principal; Michael Keshner, Madison County Sheriff’s Office; John Cunningham, Hearing Officer; Kara Twichell, Secretary to the Board of Education and observing, Danielle DePew (AHS Staff Member)
Student #209585 nor family were present.
Motion: Approval of Agenda of Special Meeting
It was moved by Ms. Monckton, seconded by Mrs. Brown and carried unanimously that the Board of Education approve the agenda of a special meeting.
Citizen Statement: None
Motion: Close Session
It was moved by Ms. Monckton, seconded by Mrs. Brown 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 Mrs. Brown, seconded by Ms. Monckton and carried unanimously that the Board of Education resume in open session.
Motion: Action on Student Discipline Hearing
It was moved by Ms. Monckton, seconded by Mrs. Brown 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 October 7, 2019, the Board of Education finds that Student # 209585 has committed an act of gross misconduct as charged by the District's Administration in that Student # 209585 committed: Fighting/Entering into an Existing Fight and Engaging in Activity that Constitutes an Interference with School Purposes and Educational Function on September 30, 2019 in violation of Board Policy 7:210 Expulsion Procedures.
Be it resolved that the Board of Education expel Student # 209585 for 2 years (October 11, 2019 until October 11, 2021), but that the expulsion be held in abeyance and Student # 209585 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.
General Interventions:
The School Calendar that is passed out at Registration.
o This includes the Student Discipline Policy.
The Back-to-School Assembly covers student behavior and expectations.
Suspended Curriculum is presented in each classroom over the first two days of school.
o This covers a variety of topics about behaviors and expectations at Alton High School.
Each year, at the beginning of the second semester, there are grade level assemblies and a second round of suspended curriculum. Specific Interventions:
During her junior year, she was offered the opportunity to attend Project Success to reduce a suspension from five days to three. She participated in this program.
She received individual counseling from her social worker, Angela Gray.
She was with Gray for an Intensive Trauma Informed Girls Group. This group went on a field trip to see the movie “Overcomer”.
She has been working with her counselor to make a schedule that will allow her to graduate in December.
o This includes taking a double class for Child Care during 4th hour to earn 3.5 credits this semester.
o It also includes a plan to complete 40 hour of Community Service to earn the remaining.25 credits needed to graduate.
The expulsion being held in abeyance is contingent upon the student’s full participation in the 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.
Be it moved that should Student # 209585 fail to fully participate in the alternative school program and the alternative school refers the student back to the District, Student # 209585 shall be immediately expelled from Alton Community Unit School District #11 for the remainder of the District Administration’s recommended expulsion duration.
Board President adjourned the meeting at 8:29 a.m.
http://www.altonschools.org/media/pdf/10_11_19__Open_E2.pdf
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