One week after District 118 Superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis was placed on leave, with Interim Superintendent John Hart in the main chair, the District 118 Board moved forward on a handful of issues during Wednesday (Feb 26th) night’s meeting. But there were still references to the Geddis situation. During Public Comment, district resident Mary Rothwell said there should be a complete investigation into Geddis’ claims and actions before any separation settlement is paid out.
AUDIO: I just think it’s an important step. Allegations have been made, and they need to be investigated; whether they’re true or whether they’re false. And the information that’s been provided up to this point, based on the police investigation, is everything has been unfounded. So, what are the other allegations? What are the other facts of the case?
(1st Picture) District 118 resident Mary Rothwell calls for an investigation into on-leave Superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis. (2nd Picture) Board member Kim Corley, who last week called for an investigation into the Geddis situation, listens. (3rd Picture) DHS teacher Anna Kelly expresses thanks for a new sick leave bank policy being initiated for district employees.
DHS teacher Anna Kelly was happy to report that she had received word that after many months of talking about it, a district sick leave bank that she and other employees battling major illnesses can use is finally approved. This allows other employees not battling major illnesses to donate their sick leave time.
AUDIO: I think it’s been something that we’ve been working on over the course of the last few months. I know that John Hart has been seeking to make sure that this gets done. We want to make sure that Danville is the place that you want to be. The board was able to show governance; respect. It was great. It was a good night.
Next up is the initiative to provide district employees with health insurance premium relief. A resolution authorizing Interim Superintendent Hart to enter negotiations was passed; and Hart says he’ll be working hard to get this done.
(1st Picture) District 118 North Ridge Home Liaison Chris Hightower encourages the board to look within the district for its next superintendent. (2nd Picture) DHS Teacher Lori Woods and sophomore student Bailey Easton explain their plans for an upcoming trip to Normandy with a grant from Albert H. Smalls Normandy Institute Research Fellowship International. (3rd Picture) New DHS Wall of Fame inductee Dr. Donald Rokosch addresses the school board and district teachers.
AUDIO: I think it’s a big step by the Board of Education to support this staff. The staff needs to hear that. Cost of insurance is very, very high. We want to make sure that we can retain the staff we have, and recruit the staff that we need.
Danville Education Association president Alan Rivers told CIMG after the meeting that he’s hoping to see a health insurance premium relief package before the board within the next few weeks; to provide employees some comfort between now and when new insurance negotiations are initiated in the fall. The goal is an initial year savings of 22% for district employees, totaling $462,000.
Also during the meeting, District 118 Athletic Director and DHS Wall of Fame Committee member Mark Bacys announced the two new inductees into the Danville High School Wall of Fame. Dr. Donald Rokosch from the Class of 1968, along with Dr. Artie Lee Travis from the Class of 1974; will both be inducted on June 6th.
