District 117 is considering the creation of three Dean of Student positions in time for next school year.
Superintendent Steve Ptacek says the board has been looking at investment options to benefit the students in the district.
Due to the level of disciplinary issues that principals are dealing with on a daily basis, Ptacek says the board was compelled to take some action to help out.
“We are also facing a time where there is an increased expectation of principals being educational leaders and in the classrooms. At the same time, they are finding it difficult to leave their office because they are dealing with discipline issues all day.”
Ptacek says elementary teachers and principals in the district will have a chance to flourish if a Dean of Student position was added to “lighten the load.”
“If they had an extra body and set of eyes it will be a very positive gain for our teachers. We are going to be able to have those principals be educational leaders in the building, which will help all our district students.”
Ptacek says early projections show the Dean of Students will be placed at Lincoln Elementary, South Elementary and Washington Elementary.
“Each of those schools will partner with Murrayville-Woodson, Eisenhower and North to where if the principal at North needs to complete evaluations, that Dean of Students can go to North that day. Therefore, the principal will not be interrupted that day. If a principal is absent for a day, we will have that body that can deal with issues at the school.”
Ptacek says the board will take action on this topic in the near future.