THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BAILEY
DANVILLE — All Danville School District 118 administrators who were on paid leave are now back on the job as of Friday after having been cleared of allegations of negligence following the administrations’ handling of unspecified recent incidents.
A letter to Assistant Superintendent John Hart dated Oct. 24, 2024, obtained by The News-Gazette through a Freedom of Information Act request, stated the investigation of the incidents leading to Hart’s paid administrative leave is complete and the findings have been shared with the Board of Education.
“As discussed in the phone conference between you, (Superintendent) Dr. (Alicia) Geddis and me (Human Resources Director Kimberly Pabst) on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, the district’s law firm investigation determined that you performed your job responsibilities in a reasonable and professional manner. As such, the board has determined that it is in the best interest of the district for you to return to work on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. The district thanks you for your cooperation with the investigation and looks forward to having you back in the workplace.”
In a letter dated Sept. 25 to Hart, “the district is investigating matters involving the administrations’ handling of incidents …” The incidents portion was redacted to The News-Gazette.
The letter continued, “Over the course of the investigation, the district has become concerned with your involvement related to these matters, and concerns of your significant lapse in judgement.”
“At this juncture, the investigation is ongoing, and no findings or conclusions have been made. However, due to the severity of these matters, the district has retained the law firm Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick and Kohn to independently investigate these claims. During the pendency of the district’s investigation, you will be placed on a paid administrative leave effective Sept. 26, 2024. The attorneys will be in contact with the district concerning the date and time at which they would like to meet with you concerning these matters. We will inform you when that date is set. At the meeting you will have the full opportunity to respond to the specifics of any claims that have been made against you. During your paid leave, you will still be considered an employee of the district and will continue to be subject to the district’s rules, regulations and directions. It is expected that during your paid leave, you will continue to be available to the district, including as needed to allow the district to conduct its review. You will also be expected to remain available to the district to answer questions or assist with work related matters as necessary.”
However, Hart, while on paid leave, was not to be present on school grounds, at school activities or functions, or have any contact with students or staff, and wasn’t to interfere in the investigation.
Southwest Elementary School Principal Charles Proffitt and Assistant Principal Matthew Thompson also were placed on shorter administrative leaves, effective immediately in letters dated Sept. 17. They also have been back on the job.
Their letters from Pabst, and Hart’s, said they too are expected to “maintain complete confidentiality with respect to this matter. Failure to adhere to my directives may be cause for discipline up to and including dismissal of your employment.”
On Sept. 16, Danville School District 118 reported it was notified by police that morning of a threat made on social media over the weekend to Southwest Elementary School on Catlin-Tilton Road.
School district officials stated in telephone and text messages to families that the person who made the threat was identified and the person is not in school.
Tilton Police provided extra security at the school while the investigation continued.
School district officials at the time said appropriate action will be taken against the individual.
Addressing rumors, Pabst said a student never had a gun at the school.
In a letter dated Sept. 27 from Geddis to D118 parents, she addressed “a national surge of social media threats being made against schools,” including at D118.
“When students hear of these reports, it becomes commonplace, and they think nothing of making the same sort of threats against their school, staff or classmates. Parents, this is where I need your help,” she pleaded.
She asked parents to have conversations with their students on the seriousness of making threatening comments.
“Not only does this shake our D118 family and cause unnecessary fear, it also takes the child and staff away from the business of education as it is being investigated,” Geddis stated.
Students making threats can be expelled from school for up to two years.
She also asked parents to encourage their children to report anything they see or hear that could be a safety issue.
“Our number one job at D118 is to academically educate our students. We also must educate them on proper behavior and this topic has moved toward the forefront of our focus,” Geddis stated.
Five days after that letter, on Oct. 2, Danville schools shifted to an e-learning day after a threat was received by the district. Students and staff were told to stay home “to allow the authorities time to investigate.”
In that incident, the Danville Police Department said they’d located a social media address that was found to be initiated in the Chicago area from which the concerning posts were made and didn’t pose a direct threat.
Schools were cleared to be in attendance the following day.
Earlier this week at Wednesday’s school board meeting, Geddis said as to rumors about herself being on administrative leave, she’s not been absent, suspended or on leave from her position.
She stated as superintendent she “manages” 274 students who are coming from jail, interacting with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Juvenile Detention Center, expulsions, suspensions and any other discipline infractions.
She works with the school district team, and it can be dangerous, she said.
Geddis said they’ve been threatened and have been attacked. Administrators have been hit, verbally assaulted, and they go to court to make the buildings safer.
She said there have been threats made, including against her, and they are dealing with them as a district.
Geddis said the investigation with Hart took time due to having “a lot to handle with a limited team.”
She said they’ve been “bombarded” with threats and false information being spread by students and others.
North Ridge Middle School families were notified of a threat of violence made at the school Friday morning. The school received an anonymous phone call threatening an act of violence against the school, according to Geddis. Staff acted quickly and reported their concern. Administration and the Danville Police Department conducted an investigation. The phone number of the caller was traced, and the suspect was apprehended, Geddis stated.
Geddis again reiterated for parents and guardians to discuss with their children the consequences of making statements of violence.
“The words that people choose matter and can have long-lasting consequences, regardless of whether they are made in a joking manner,” Geddis stated. “We take every threat that we receive seriously as your child’s safety is our top priority.”
She also said about the impacts on the school staff, “It’s so much more for the same limited team to do,” Geddis said about investigations. She said the district is seeking professional guidance on how to handle it.
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