ABOVE: Danville District 118 Board during Wednesday evening’s meeting (Superintendent John Hart is fourth from left).
Interesting moments came about during the latter part of Wednesday (July 15th) evening’s District 118 Board meeting. And both topics brought obvious references to the previous 118 Board, and previous superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis. First, there was discussion about a possible change in the board’s “attorney policy.” There was recollection that under the previous administration, a rule was made that not all board members could communicate one-on-one with the 118 Board attorney. Current superintendent John Hart explains.
AUDIO: Policy exists that, um, basically; the board president and the superintendent can call the board’s attorney at any time that they need it. But it really denies other board members access to those attorneys.
Dr. Randal Ashton was school board president at the time of Geddis’ separation and settlement agreement in early 2025. No action was taken on this issue at Wednesday’s meeting, but the plan at this point is to have Hart write a new attorney policy for future board consideration. Both Hart and board member Christopher Easton agreed that while it would not be good to have all board members calling the board’s attorney frequently, since it does cost the district money each time; it’s still proper for all board members to have that option if necessary. In fact Easton, sending a compliment Hart’s way, stated that ideally a board member should be able to share a concern to the superintendent, and have him or her make that call. Easton stated that Hart is a good person, and that should work. But just in case things come up, all members should be allowed to call.
AUDIO: I believe Mr. Hart will propose a change for the board to vote on, to make it so any board member can reach out to the board’s paid attorney.
(1st Picture) Board members Christopher Easton and Dr. Tom Halloran during Wednesday night’s meeting. (2nd Picture) Former District 118 Superintendent Dr. Alicia Geddis, during a STEP UP meeting in 2023.
The second issue echoing the recent past that came up was after board president Darlene Halloran read the board’s evaluation of Superintendent John Hart. At that point, Easton asked Halloran when the last time was that the board had been able to do an evaluation of its superintendent. Although Halloran stated she had wished the question had not been asked, she said it had been over ten years, which matches how long Geddis was superintendent; and that the board had been blocked from doing it. Hart, who was assistant superintendent during much of that time, stated that he recalls attempts being made, but that he did not know the entire story.
AUDIO: I know that they looked at several different instruments. I’ve sat with Dr. Geddis when she’s worked on goals; I’ve sat with the board. I really don’t know why it was never “pen to paper” if you will.
The next Danville District 118 School Board meeting is set for Wednesday, August 5th.
