Danville school administrators are back on the job after investigation and leave | News

DANVILLE – All Danville School District 118 administrators who were on paid leave are back on the job as of Friday after being cleared of allegations of negligence following the administration’s handling of unspecified recent incidents.

An Oct. 24, 2024, letter to Assistant Superintendent John Hart, obtained by The News-Gazette through a Freedom of Information Act request, said the investigation into the incidents that led to Hart’s paid administrative leave has been completed and the findings are been communicated to the Education Committee.

“As in the conference call between you, (Superintendent) Dr. (Alicia) Geddis and I (Human Resources Director Kimberly Pabst) discussed on Thursday, October 24, 2024, the District Attorney’s Office investigation determined that you performed your job duties in a reasonable and professional manner. Therefore, the Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the District for you to return to work on Friday, October 25, 2024. The district thanks you for your cooperation in the investigation and looks forward to welcoming you back to the workplace.”

A Sept. 25 letter to Hart said: “The district is investigating matters related to the administration’s handling of incidents…” The portion about the incidents was redacted from The News-Gazette.

The letter continues: “During the course of the investigation, the district has expressed concerns about your involvement in these matters and concerns about your significant lapse in judgment.”

“At this stage the investigation is ongoing and no findings or conclusions have been made. However, due to the seriousness of these matters, the District has retained the law firm of Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick and Kohn to independently investigate these allegations. Pending the District’s investigation, you will be placed on paid administrative leave, effective September 26, 2024. Attorneys will contact the District regarding the date and time they would like to meet with you about these matters. We will inform you as soon as this date is set. At the meeting you will have a full opportunity to address the details of the claims made against you. During your paid leave, you will continue to be considered an employee of the District and will continue to be subject to the District’s rules, regulations and instructions. You are expected to continue to be available to the District during your paid leave, including as necessary for 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 needed.”

However, during his paid leave, Hart was not allowed to be on school grounds, present at school activities or events, have any contact with students or staff, or interfere with the investigation.

Charles Proffitt, principal of Southwest Elementary School, and Matthew Thompson, assistant principal, were also placed on shorter administrative leave, effective immediately, in a letter dated Sept. 17. They too were back in office.

Pabst and Hart’s letters state that they too are expected to “maintain absolute confidentiality regarding this matter.” Failure to comply with my instructions may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from your employment.”

On Sept. 16, Danville School District 118 reported that police notified them that morning of a threat made on social media over the weekend against Southwest Elementary School on Catlin-Tilton Road.

School district officials said in phone and text messages to families that the person who made the threat had been identified and was not at the school.

Tilton police provided additional security at the school while the investigation continued.

School district officials said at the time that appropriate action would be taken against the individual.

Pabst addressed rumors and said a student never had a gun at school.

In a Sept. 27 letter from Geddis to D118 parents, she addressed “a nationwide wave of social media threats against schools,” including to D118.

“When students hear about these reports, it becomes normal and they think nothing of making the same type of threats against their school, staff or classmates. “Parents, I need your help here,” she pleaded.

She urged parents to talk to their students about the seriousness of threatening comments.

“Not only does this devastate our D118 family and cause unnecessary fear, it also deters the child and staff from the education business that is being investigated,” Geddis stated.

Students who make threats can be expelled from school for up to two years.

She also urged parents to encourage their children to report anything they see or hear that could pose a safety risk.

“Our most important task at D118 is the academic education of our students. We also need to educate them about proper behavior and this issue has come to the forefront of our focus,” Geddis explained.

Five days after that letter, on Oct. 2, Danville schools moved to an e-learning day after the district received a threat. Students and staff were ordered to stay home “to give authorities time to investigate.”

In that incident, Danville police said they located a social media address that was identified to be from the Chicago area where the posts in question originated and did not pose an immediate threat.

The following day, schools were opened for school attendance.

Earlier this week at Wednesday’s school board meeting, Geddis said she had not been absent, suspended or furloughed from her position regarding rumors that she was on administrative leave.

She stated that as superintendent, she “manages” 274 students coming out of prison and interacts with the Illinois Department of Corrections and Juvenile Detention Center, expulsions, suspensions and other disciplinary violations.

She is working with the school district team and it could be dangerous, she said.

Geddis said they were threatened and attacked. Administrators have been attacked, insulted and are going to court to make the buildings safer.

She said threats were made, including against her, and they were dealing with it as a district.

Geddis said the investigation with Hart took time because there was “a lot to handle with a limited team.”

She said they had been “bombarded” with threats and the spread of false information by students and others.

Families at North Ridge Middle School were notified Friday morning of a threat of violence at the school. According to Geddis, the school received an anonymous call threatening violence against the school. Employees responded quickly and reported their concerns. The administration and the Danville Police Department conducted an investigation. The caller’s phone number was traced and the suspect was arrested, Geddis said.

Geddis again urged parents and guardians to talk to their children about the consequences of violent statements.

“The words people choose matter and can have long-term consequences, regardless of whether they are phrased facetiously,” Geddis explained. “We take any threat we receive seriously as your child’s safety is our top priority.”

She also said of the impact on school staff: “It’s so much more that the same limited team has to do,” Geddis said of the investigations. She said the district is seeking professional advice on how to deal with it.