-
School Board
School Board OfficersPresident: Andrew TaylorSecretary: Melissa Bradford (ex officio) Treasurer: Dr. Mike Curry (ex officio)Members of the public may obtain information regarding school board activities, FOIA requests, and other board information by contacting:Melissa Bradford, Board SecretaryKeil Administration Building101 West Cerro Gordo St.Decatur, Illinois 62523
Phone: (217) 362-3011
Click here to Email the Board SecretaryBoard Secretary office hours are Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM.Dr. Mike Curry
Chief Operational Officer and Treasurer
101 West Cerro Gordo St.Decatur, Illinois 62523
Phone: (217) 362-3021Click here to Email Dr. Mike CurryAt a meeting of the Board of Education on May 3, 2021, the Board approved the regular Board of Education meetings at 6:30 P.M. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month except in the month of **November (1st and 3rd Tuesdays). *July and December will have only one Board meeting on the 1st Tuesday of that month, unless for unforeseen reasons, a meeting may be moved to a different Tuesday. All meetings, unless otherwise stated, will be held in the Board of Education Room at the Keil Administration Building, 101 West Cerro Gordo, Decatur, Illinois, 62523.
Board Meeting DatesClick here to View Videos of Board of Education meetings2022-2023 School Year *July 12, 2022 August 9, 2022 August 23, 2022 September 13, 2022 September 27, 2022 October 11, 2022 October 25, 2022 **November 1, 2022 **November 15, 2022 *December 13, 2022 January 10, 2023 January 24, 2023 February 14, 2023 February 28, 2023 March 07, 2023 March 28, 2023 April 11, 2023 April 25, 2023 May 9, 2023 May 23, 2023 KEY:
*ONLY one board meeting in that month
**Meetings on 1st and 3rd Tuesday
From Your School Board:The Decatur Public Schools Board of Education is made up of seven volunteer members. These Board members are elected by voters of the Decatur School District and represent the community by overseeing the operation of the school system. The Decatur Board of Education recognizes that the taxpayers, parents and students of Decatur have bestowed a high level of trust in us. We are focused on improving student achievement, demonstrating financial accountability and being open to the community and staff.We’ve set clear, ambitious academic goals, and have made a commitment to being fiscally responsible. We will ensure we use the money in our schools to provide a quality education to every student. We thank the voters of Decatur for the support they’ve shown the Decatur Public School District. Educating our children is the responsibility of the entire community, and we thank you for your effort. The joy of watching a child learn is a gift to each of us.
Strategic Plan Mission:The Mission of Decatur Public Schools, the destination district of our community, is to unlock students' unique and limitless potential to achieve their personal aspirations as fully prepared, contributing citizens in a global society through learning experiences distinguished by:- commitment to the whole person resulting in student growth and confidence
- relevant, innovative, personalized academic pathways that promote passion and pride
- a learning environment that fosters curiosity and the thirst for achievement and discovery
- a culture of diversity, adaptability, and resilience
- meaningful and lasting relationships
- extraordinary school and community connections
Board of Education Core Values:Engaged ~ Collaborate ~ Inclusive ~ Excellence ~ Citizenship ~ Innovation
Dr. Kevin Collins-BrownClick here to obtain BOE training document
Business MeetingsMeetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, except in the month of November (1st and 3rd Tuesdays), as well as July and December, which have only one Board meeting on the 1st Tuesday of that month. All meetings, unless otherwise stated, will be held in the Board of Education Room at the Keil Administration Building, 101 West Cerro Gordo, Decatur, Illinois, 62523. The Open Session agenda and explanatory documents are uploaded to the District's website www.dps61.org on Friday before the Tuesday meeting. Copies of the agenda are available at the meeting.Committee Meetings
Some matters require long deliberation, so these items may be considered at a committee meeting, when agendas are shorter and more discussion time is available. These items may then be placed on the agenda of a regular meeting when action can be taken. The Board of Education welcomes community members to join the District by serving on committees. If you are interested in doing so, please contact your local school, or the Superintendent's Office at 217 362-3010.Executive Sessions
The Board’s business and committee meetings are open to the public. The law allows the Board to go into Closed Executive Sessions for such reasons as legal action, collective bargaining, real estate transactions and personnel matters.Public Participation in Board Meetings
The School Board encourages and appreciates citizen interest in meetings of the Board of Education. There is a place at the beginning of the agenda especially set aside to hear comments from visitors. Persons wishing to address the Board of Education may make written requests to the Superintendent in advance of the regular meeting or by a phone call to the Board Secretary, Melissa Bradford at 217 362-3011, or by indicating their name and topic they wish to address on the visitor sign-up book located next to the lectern before the meeting begins. The speaker should give his/her name, address, and limit his/her comments to three (3) minutes. The Board asks that courtesy and respect to others be shown. The use of specific individuals’ names, slanderous or derogatory comments about anyone cannot be permitted. The Board President has the right and may declare out of order a speaker and terminate any remarks which are not relevant or which has been previously addressed on the same subject.Specific Issues Raised at Board Meetings
If issues raised during Public Participation require answers to questions, gathering information, or further discussion, the Board of Education may refer the matter to the Superintendent. They may also set a later time to meet with constituents. Whenever possible, you are encouraged to seek information or action first from the teacher or principal. Going directly to the source of the problem will, in many cases, clear up misunderstandings and bring the desired result. If the issue cannot be resolved at the school level, please contact Central Office and/or the Superintendent's Office. The Board encourages citizen and staff input through participation on a variety of committees each year.Preparation for the Meeting
The Superintendent and Board President develop the agenda. Board Members receive copies of agendas and explanatory documents the Friday before the Tuesday's meeting.Meeting Agendas
Agendas for regular meetings may include the following items:-
Call to order - Opening of the meeting by the Board President
-
Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Meeting Agenda
-
Public Participation
- Board of Education Discussion - Informational Items
- Reports from Administration - Informational Items
- Approval of Roll Call Action Items
-
Approval of Consent Items
-
Other Informational Items
- Adjournment
Board Election
In Decatur, Board members are elected at large, rather than by sub-district, so each member represents the entire school district. They are elected at a non-partisan election held every other year at the same time as consolidated elections usually on the 2nd Tuesday in April, unless the date covers Passover, and then it is moved to the next Tuesday. Board members are uncompensated, and do not maintain offices at the Keil Administrative Building. Their major responsibility is to establish District Policies for all district operations such as curriculum, personnel, facilities, and finance. They delegate the execution of these Policies to the District Administration.
