Greenfield Community Unit School District No. 10 Board of Education met Feb. 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
1. President Rodney Knittel called the hearing portion of the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call the following members were present: Josh Roberts, Joe Kinser, Chris Weller, Elliott Turpin, Brandi Rynders and Rodney Knittel. Chris Goode was absent. Also present were Superintendent Kevin Bowman, High School Principal Beth Bettis, Elementary Principal Jeremy Lansaw, Chief of Police John Goode, Tony Albrecht, Joe Pembrook, and Becky McClelland.
2. Turpin motioned and Weller seconded to approve the agenda as presented. Upon roll call Weller, Rynders, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
3. President Knittel asked for a motion to appoint a hearing officer. Roberts motioned and Rynders seconded to appoint Knittel as the hearing officer. Upon roll call Weller, Rynders, Kinser, Roberts, Turpin and Knittel voted “Aye”.
4. All board members and school officials introduced themselves. Knittel explained the purpose of the hearing and procedures that were employed in its’ conduct. The hearing was conducted under the provisions of the Illinois School Code, 105 Illinois Compiled Statues 5/24- 24, which deals with the maintenance of discipline in public schools. A copy of the School Code was available to anyone who cared to examine the relevant law before or during the hearing. During this hearing, the administration and Ms. Mehroff were permitted to introduce witnesses and evidence concerning what happened; whether or not Ms. Mehroff was involved in what happened; whether or not what happened was a violation of school rules; whether or not she did that of which she is accused; and, if she did, what punishment, if any, might be appropriate. If Ms. Mehroff is found not to have done what she is accused of doing, she will be excused, and no further action on this issue will be taken. During the course of all relevant parts of the hearing, Ms. Mehroff was allowed the right to present evidence in her defense and may be represented by an attorney at her own expense. Because Knittel and board members are not lawyers, no formal rules of evidence were followed.
5. Ms. Mehroff failed to appear and the administration was asked if Ms. Mehroff was notified of the hearing. Superintendent Bowman entered into the record the letter to Ms. Mehroff and the certified mail receipt. (See Exhibit No. 1 attached to the Official Minutes)
6. Superintendent Bowman distributed Board Policy 8:30-Community Relations to all board members. (See Exhibit No. 2 attached to the Official Minutes) Superintendent Bowman read an opening statement as follows:
“It is the duty of the school district to ensure the safety of students, staff, parents, guardians, and visitors to school property. According to school board Policy 8:30, the School District expects mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct among all people on school property or at a school event. No person on school property or at a school event shall perform any of the following acts:
1. Strike, injure, threaten, harass, or intimidate a staff member, a Board member, sports official or coach, or any other person.
2. Behave in an unsportsmanlike manner, or use vulgar or obscene language. 15. Engage in any conduct that interferes with, disrupts, or adversely affects the District or a school function.
The reasons we are here are to determine whether Ms. Talisha Mehroff should be denied admission to school events for a period of up to one calendar year. The reasons for the hearing are as follows.” (See Exhibit No. 3 attached to the Official Minutes)
7. Bowman then called Coach Tony Albrecht as a witness and he was sworn in. Albrecht read a prepared statement. (See Exhibit No. 4 attached to the Official Minutes)
8. Bowman then called Athletic Director Joe Pembrook as a witness and he was sworn in. Pembrook read his prepared statement. (See Exhibit No. 5 attached to the Official Minutes)
9. Bowman presented as evidence Carrollton Police Department report, witness statement from Brad Flowers and text messages from Ms. Mehroff. (See Exhibit No. 6 attached to the Official Minutes)
10. Bowman presented as evidence Facebook posts from Ms. Mehroff, Assistant Coach Roshier Creecy’s statement and Athletic Director Joe Pembrook’s statement. (See Exhibit No. 7 attached to the Official Minutes)
11. After the District had presented all evidence and witness statements, Knittel asked if anyone was present to speak for Ms. Mehroff. No one was present. Knittel declared the hearing was completed and it was time for deliberations. Two options were available. The options were to approve the resolution referencing the expulsion from school events for Ms. Talisha Mehroff or to resolve with no repercussions. Knittel read the resolution aloud and a copy of the resolution was distributed to all board members.
12. Roberts motioned and Weller seconded to adopt the Resolution Referencing the Expulsion from School Events of Talisha Mehroff for a period of one year. Upon roll call Rynders, Weller, Turpin, Kinser, Roberts and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried. (See Exhibit No. 8 attached to the Official Minutes)
13. Rynders motioned and Kinser seconded to adjourn the hearing. Upon roll call Turpin, Rynders, Weller, Roberts, Kinser and Knittel voted “Aye”. Motion carried.
http://www.greenfieldschools.org/files/minutes/2018/Board%20Minutes%202-26-2018%20Public%20Hearing.pdf
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