Post by momto4 on Feb 25, 2009 18:08:42 GMT -5
You most likely have seen the media stories about an alleged assault involving our middle school students that took place in early November in a private residence. I have a great deal of compassion for all of our families that have been impacted by this incident. Please know that the district's priority is to provide a safe learning environment and know that we are confident that is taking place.
This is an emotionally charged issue filled with legal complexities. Due to privacy laws protecting our students, I'm not able to address all specifics, but I'd like to clarify some of the misinformation regarding this story that seems to be in our community.
Some parents have suggested that the alleged assailants be sent to a non-traditional alternative school or home schooled. At Monday night's Board of Education workshop, the district's attorney spent nearly two hours discussing the legal options available to best address the situation. Under the Constitution, students have a legal right to a public education. Considering this alleged offense took place outside of school, there are limits to what actions the district can legally take. We can not legally move students to a non-traditional alternative school or force them to receive their education at home.
However, if a student is not in a safe environment, or a request is made by the family, a student could be moved to another school within the district. All parents in this case have been offered the option of moving to a different school, but have so far declined the offer. A forced move to one of our other schools is an option, but we have concerns with how welcomed this forced move would be received by the new school community and the impact it may have on students involved.
What we have the most control over is the course of action taken by our school staff to prioritize the safety of the students who remain in the school together. Upon notifying staff of the alleged incident on November 13, the victim’s parents expressed their desire for the school to not have anything done to the students involved. However, school officials did take immediate action to address safety, and on multiple occasions the parents of all parties reached out to school officials to let them know they appreciated the school's actions to keep their students safe. It wasn't until the end of January that the alleged victim's family requested the district move the other students out of the school.
I am in contact with the school on a daily basis to monitor the situation and my first question is always "Are our kids safe?" The school has reported consistently that our students are safe and that students continue to be monitored for additional emotional or academic support if needed.
We have a tremendous school staff and I am highly confident they will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well being of every student at the school.
My comfort with the decision to keep the students at the school was reinforced by a recent agreement between the two families involved that was reached in a civil court regarding the conditions of interaction between the students. Specifically, it was agreed that both students could remain at the school. The court's directive to the students closely mirrors the multiple steps previously taken by the school beginning last November. School administrators are confident in their ability to meet the conditions suggested by the court and will be able to continue to provide a safe and effective learning environment for all students.
We ask for your understanding as we continue to work through this emotionally charged issue.
Stephen Daeschner
Superintendent
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School District 204
www.ipsd.org
780 Shoreline Drive
Aurora, IL 60504
USA
This is an emotionally charged issue filled with legal complexities. Due to privacy laws protecting our students, I'm not able to address all specifics, but I'd like to clarify some of the misinformation regarding this story that seems to be in our community.
Some parents have suggested that the alleged assailants be sent to a non-traditional alternative school or home schooled. At Monday night's Board of Education workshop, the district's attorney spent nearly two hours discussing the legal options available to best address the situation. Under the Constitution, students have a legal right to a public education. Considering this alleged offense took place outside of school, there are limits to what actions the district can legally take. We can not legally move students to a non-traditional alternative school or force them to receive their education at home.
However, if a student is not in a safe environment, or a request is made by the family, a student could be moved to another school within the district. All parents in this case have been offered the option of moving to a different school, but have so far declined the offer. A forced move to one of our other schools is an option, but we have concerns with how welcomed this forced move would be received by the new school community and the impact it may have on students involved.
What we have the most control over is the course of action taken by our school staff to prioritize the safety of the students who remain in the school together. Upon notifying staff of the alleged incident on November 13, the victim’s parents expressed their desire for the school to not have anything done to the students involved. However, school officials did take immediate action to address safety, and on multiple occasions the parents of all parties reached out to school officials to let them know they appreciated the school's actions to keep their students safe. It wasn't until the end of January that the alleged victim's family requested the district move the other students out of the school.
I am in contact with the school on a daily basis to monitor the situation and my first question is always "Are our kids safe?" The school has reported consistently that our students are safe and that students continue to be monitored for additional emotional or academic support if needed.
We have a tremendous school staff and I am highly confident they will continue to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and well being of every student at the school.
My comfort with the decision to keep the students at the school was reinforced by a recent agreement between the two families involved that was reached in a civil court regarding the conditions of interaction between the students. Specifically, it was agreed that both students could remain at the school. The court's directive to the students closely mirrors the multiple steps previously taken by the school beginning last November. School administrators are confident in their ability to meet the conditions suggested by the court and will be able to continue to provide a safe and effective learning environment for all students.
We ask for your understanding as we continue to work through this emotionally charged issue.
Stephen Daeschner
Superintendent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
School District 204
www.ipsd.org
780 Shoreline Drive
Aurora, IL 60504
USA