School District Controversy
Since being announced to the public, the proposed demotion has been hotly contested by many in the community. Current and former students, fellow district employees and even government officials have rallied to support Ivory-Tatum, whom they consider an important voice for students who may not be able to be heard for themselves.
Theresa Bray is a recently retired bilingual speech instructor and therapist in the Urbana School District. Her history with Dr. Ivory-Tatum goes way back, all the way to Ivory-Tatum’s days in Champaign as a preschool teacher, and Bray is concerned that the proposed demotion would not be the best use of Dr. Ivory-Tatum’s unique skill set, which includes several years of experience at a wide range of levels.
“Dr. Ivory-Tatum has demonstrated success and impact at all levels of her career as expressed by the testimonials expressed by students, teachers, staff and community members. She has a collection of exemplary skills, knowledge, and personal qualities that are needed in an administrative leader. As a strong woman of color who is actively involved in this community, she has insights, understandings and perspectives that are needed at the administrative level. I do not think the proposed demotion which would have her serving as principal in one school capitalizes on what she has to offer when she has impacted and can continue to offer much to so many across the district.”
At the board meeting on February 7, an estimated 100 people filled the room where school board meetings are usually held, located inside of the USD 116 Central Office building. There, many spoke out against the proposal, and similar circumstances were expected to surround Tuesday’s meeting, which was eventually moved to the Urbana City Council Chamber to better accommodate the crowd.
Even at the City Council Chamber, community members packed the room about a half hour before the meeting was slated to begin. The chamber quickly reached its capacity, forcing several people to stand in the lobby of the building as the meeting began. Speakers were asked to leave the chamber after they spoke to allow speakers standing in the hallway to enter the room and address the board. More than twenty people, including Bray, spoke out against the proposal during the public input session of the meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Don Owen briefly addressed the crowd after everyone had spoken with a message that he and Dr. Ivory-Tatum would work together to ensure the best possible outcome.
“Dr. Ivory-Tatum and I will work together to make sure that her skills and her knowledge are used in such a way to benefit the entire community and the district.” Said Owen on Tuesday night.
The statement was well-received by many, including Bray.
“I was pleased to hear that Superintendent Owen expressed that he and Dr. Ivory-Tatum would work together to make sure that what she had to offer would be used to benefit the district and community. I hope that this will mean retaining her at a [district] administrative level. My sense is that all would like Dr. Ivory-Tatum at the district administrative level.”
It will be interesting to see what new developments emerge in the coming weeks. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for March 7 at 7:30PM.
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