Latest news with #ChampaignSchoolBoard
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Champaign School Board president responds after tense meeting outing superintendent
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A contentious Champaign School Board meeting is still making waves almost 24 hours later. The meeting saw an approval to move on from Superintendent Dr. Sheila Boozer — a fiery public comment period — and even a near fight. 'We conducted some tough business last night,' said Champaign School Board President Tony Bruno. Champaign board to continue proposed solar farm discussion later this summer Bruno was steadfast — saying they did what the voters wanted. He realizes this wasn't a decision agreed upon by 100% of people — but still thinks it's the right thing to do. 'The election was 60 days ago,' Bruno said. And it's been busy ever since for Bruno and the newly elected board members. The Champaign School Board had their third special board meeting on Thursday to decide the future of Superintendent Boozer. The board voted 5-2, approving a separation agreement with Boozer. Bruno said this decision was made by people at the polls. 'They decided who would serve in these roles,' Bruno said. 'And there were candidates who wanted to do exactly what we did last night. And there were candidates who took the opposite position, and the voters spoke, and we delivered.' It brought immediate blowback. People questioned the board's decision during the public comment portion of the meeting. Bruno said that part of the meeting was designed to let everyone speak. But he also people in the crowd continued interrupting. Champaign restaurant asks for help after cameras catch teens damaging property 'It's bad for our community to have a circus play out at a meeting of a governmental body,' Bruno said. 'Every person who wanted to speak was given an opportunity during the public comment period. But then there becomes a time when it's the board's turn to speak.' And he said that's unacceptable. Bruno also had a man walk aggressively towards him who had to be stopped by security. He said the security staff will be assessing how to balance keeping the meetings open and accessible while still being safe for board members. 'We have to leave the bad examples of the last board in the past and we have to move on, and we have to act like adults,' Bruno said. 'And you may not agree with the business that's being conducted or the votes that are being taken, but this is a democracy and we're operating as a functioning unit of government.' Bruno said he hopes the board can move forward and work together on other issues coming in the future. WCIA reached out to Justin Michael Hendrix and Grace Kang — the two board members who voted against the separation agreement. WCIA didn't hear back from Hendrix — and Kang declined to comment on Friday. WCIA also reached out to the board's former president, Gianina Baker, who was in attendance Thursday night, but didn't hear back from her. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘I think they're extremely important': Champaign Co. Clerk breaks down voter turnout in Consolidated Election
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Many spent Tuesday heading out to the polls to cast their ballots in this year's Consolidated Election. They're choosing who they want to lead their communities and schools, as well as where they want their tax dollars to go. By 5 p.m. on Election Day, Aaron Ammons, the Champaign County Clerk, said about 6,000 people had voted in person that day and about 4,000 others voted early. Once those ballots are counted, plus the ones in the mail, he estimates about 15-20% of voters will participate in this election, which is a pretty standard trend. Champaign residents weigh property tax increase to benefit homeless shelter This year, Ammons feels questions about the Champaign School Board and City Council are driving people to the polls. 'I think those are important for our community, for our citizens who live here, to talk to each other and have that direct contact because those policies impact you immediately at the local level,' he said. 'You're choosing your school board members, and your chiefs of police because city council members will vote on those things. These are things we talk about daily and I think they're extremely important.' Voters hopeful election will rejuvenate Champaign school board Locations across Champaign County are open until 7 p.m. Once they close, judges will begin counting. Ammons expects to have some unofficial results ready around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Champaign Central High School hires first African American principal in school history
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign School Board has approved a new high school principal who is making history. Montia Gardner was officially appointed at Monday's night meeting. The vote for Gardner's appointment was unanimous. District officials told WCIA they believe she is the first African-American principal at the school. Champaign Co. businesses collaborate to bring something new to the plate Gardner started teaching at Huth Middle School in the Chicago area in 2003, where she taught Theatre/Communication Arts, English, and Social Studies. She also taught English and Social Studies at two high schools in Gary, Indiana. She then taught in Baltimore, MD in 2016 as an adjunct professor in Education at University of Maryland-Baltimore County and also taught at Community Colleges of Baltimore County starting in 2020. Three years ago, Gardner started as an Assistant Principal at Central High School, before later becoming the Summer School Principal and the Associate Principal at the school. Gardner attained her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University in 2003, and her Masters in School Leadership from Concordia University in 2009. Dr. Gardner also earned a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Gardner will start on July 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Champaign School Board approves softball renovations, house demolition
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign School Board approved the design and estimate plans for renovations to Centennial High School's softball field. The approval comes after Title IX advocates shined a light on the difference between Centennial's softball and baseball fields. WCIA reported that the differences in the baseball and softball fields were brought up last March. Champaign Co. Board approves 12-month carbon sequestration ban During Monday night's board meeting, district officials said the softball field was outdated and needed improvements. The board approved the over $1 million project with four members voting yes, one voting no and one abstaining from the vote. The improvements to the field will include elevated score boxes, a concessions area, a public address system, enclosed dugouts with storage and field lighting. The money will come from referendum funding and the county school facility tax funding. IL State Board of Education asks districts to prepare for ICE arriving on school grounds District officials said that the next step in the process is going out to bid. Then, the bids will be reviewed in March. Officials also said they are hopeful that construction will begin this summer. After the softball renovations were approved, the board turned to their next agenda item. They discussed whether to approve the demolition of a house next to Franklin STEAM Academy, located at 714 W Harvard St. The district bought the house in 2015, where it has been used for storage and staff use. Now however, staff are being moved out because it has become, 'not suitable for use as a staff workplace.' The roof needs to be replaced, the basement floods and the house has become a drain on the district. Champaign workout equipment customizes to every user District officials proposed demolishing the house and using the space for staff parking. They estimate it will cost $95,000 and will use funds from the county school facility tax. The board unanimously approved the project. Next steps include seeking proposals for asbestos abatement, which they hope to start by the end of February. Then, the plan is to demolish the house as soon as the ground thaws. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
