New District 118 School Board Speaks of Transparency, Optimism, Change

 ABOVE: Judge Charles C. Hall swears in elected District 118 School Board members Toni Towne, Tom Halloran, Darlene Halloran, and Christopher Easton.

The change in the Danville District 118 School Board has taken place.  Former Board President Dr. Randal Ashton and Shannon Schroeder said their goodbyes, while the departing Elder Tyson Parks was not there.  Sworn in were the reelected Darlene Halloran, the returning Christopher Easton, and newly elected Tom Halloran and Toni Towne.  Remaining on the 118 Board, not up for reelection this time; were Kim Corley, Alice Payne, and Pastor Thomas Miller, who was not present at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Darlene Halloran, nominated by Christopher Easton, is the new school board president.  Kim Corley, nominated by Toni Towne, is the new vice-president.  And Lakesha Robinson was unanimously voted to continue as board secretary.

Shannon Schroeder and Dr. Randal Ashton offer parting words before stepping down from 118 Board.  (Left of Ashton, Interim Superintendent John Hart; right of Ashton, new board president Darlene Halloran).

Darlene Halloran says she is ready and comfortable with her new position as president.

AUDIO: We’ve had some discussions about leadership because it was important going into tonight.  I’m looking forward to the challenge.  And as you can see, we’ve got some really good people with really good ideas.

During closing board comments, the most passionate address came from Alice Payne.  Among the numerous things she cited as aggravating were not being adequately informed on numerous recent issues; and that while District 118’s student population has gone down, the number of administrators has gone up.

(1st Picture) Current 118 Board members Kim Corley and Tom Halloran.  (2nd Picture) The new District 118 Board, with Darlene Halloran in the president’s chair.  (3rd Picture) Interim Superintendent John Hart and 118 Board President Darlene Halloran.

It was one person during “public comment” who made an indirect reference to the recent payout agreement to Superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis, telling the new board to “not ignore what’s in the rearview mirror.”   New board vice-president Kim Corley said after the meeting that she sees a “rewarding opportunity with this new board,” and that she certainly knows what the commenter meant by “rearview mirror.”

AUDIO: I know what they were talking about.  That’s all I’m going to say about that.

As for new member Toni Towne and her recent legal attempt to stop the payment to Geddis; her comment after the meeting was she’s not for sure what will happen next, but her 30 day window to adjust her case is not up.

AUDIO: (There’s) positive momentum that we have here, and I don’t know if me taking on something legally outside of the board is what I will do.  I will tell you that May 18th or 19th is the end of my 30 days.  We will know something by then.

Also during the meeting, public commenter Brenda Brown spoke of the need to find a solution to the fights at North Ridge.  Interim Superintendent John Hart says school staff and district administration have agreed on a plan where some issues will be worked on for the end of this school year, and some at the start of the next school year.  As just one example, he cited making it more obvious, by what they need to wear, whether or not a student has a legitimate hall pass.

(1st Picture) During “public comment,” Brenda Brown speaks of the need to solve the overwhelming number of student fights at North Ridge.  (2nd Picture) Industrial Technology Lead Instructor Joe Wernert appears at meeting with SKILLS USA state finalists from DHS.  To the left of Wernert is Construction Trades Director Adam Boyd.

Early in the meeting, DHS industrial technology students who qualified for the recent SKILLS USA state competition in Peoria were honored by the board.  And beforehand lead industrial technology teacher Joe Wernert said it was a wonderful learning experience to go and compete.

AUDIO: The kids left positive.  No saddened faces when we left; it was all upbeat, it was all “ready for next year.”  We showed well; the kids were professional.  They did Danville proud.

We should also mention that the new District 118 Board voted to continue holding meetings on Wednesday nights.