Dist. 204 debates school-change policy

Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board members are grappling with how much leeway to give administrators when deciding whether to transfer a student to a new school for disciplinary reasons.

Board members on Monday debated a new policy that stems from an alleged sexual assault involving students.

Two Naperville boys, ages 11 and 12, have been charged with felony counts of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault against another boy. The incident took place in November at a home on the city's south side.

The 11-year-old boy also faces a misdemeanor count of battery for a separate incident involving the same alleged victim - this time in the halls of Gregory Middle School.

The 12-year-old has since transferred to neighboring Naperville Unit District 203. The 11-year-old remains at Gregory, but is required by court order to stay 100 feet away from the alleged victim.

While the alleged victim's father has agreed to the no-contact order, he also has tried - unsuccessfully - to have the accused student removed from the school.

District administrators currently have the authority to reassign students, but board member Curt Bradshaw has pushed for a more comprehensive policy.

The policy drafted by the district's attorney, Jack Canna, lays out three criteria, any one of which could warrant a transfer: the student poses a threat to other students or staff; the student's safety is at risk or a transfer "will better meet the educational, emotional and social needs of the student of other students."

The policy goes on to state a student who has been charged or convicted of a violent felony against another student at the same school, regardless of where the incident occurred, shall be reassigned to another District 204 school if the administration decides it is necessary.

Before a student is transferred, he or she would go through a process during which the superintendent would meet with the families of the students involved to discuss legal options, counseling, evaluation of student needs and opportunities for mediation.

Board member Jeannette Clark pushed to take out a sentence that allows exceptions "only under extraordinary circumstances." She said she wants to make sure the process has a chance to play out and that transferring a student should not be the default course of action.

But Bradshaw said the policy needs to provide direction and clarity for administrators, as well as future board members, and shouldn't be too vague.

Board member Cathy Piehl took issue with social and emotional needs being enough to move a student. She said safety is a legitimate reason for a transfer, but feels keeping children in the same school deserves a chance to work.

"As is ... I kind of felt we were risking obstructing the life of a student and their family if they were innocent," she said.

The board will continue to discuss its policy when it meets Monday, May 4.