Additional Discussions on Transportation, Building Safety Enhancements
A relatively light agenda was set for Monday's monthly meeting of the Macomb Community Unit School District (MCUSD) No. 185. The Board of Education approved the 2026-2027 fee schedule, which can be found on page 74 of the Board agenda packet (macomb185.org/73/ Board-of-Education) and the district's membership in the Illinois High School Athletics Association for upcoming school year.
For the new fee schedule, which includes entry prices to athletic events, plays, musicals and other school-sponsored events, Board member Justice Keene made an amended motion for veterans to receive free admission to school-sponsored programs. The Board agreed, passing the resolution unanimously with that change.
Public Comment, Recognitions & Discussion Items
Public Comment
Parent Josh Murphy addressed the Board during the public comments portion of the meeting to address coaching, specifically in regard to the high school volleyball program. Murphy told the Board that players were subjected to a negative and toxic environment, and dismissed by the head coach when concerns were brought forward. He stressed he was not making a public comment to attack an individual, rather to advocate for a healthy and supportive environment for all student athletes. Murphy also asked the district to consider reviewing the athletic culture and making clear expectation of conduct for coaching staff.
Student of the Month
Macomb High School senior Lucy Platt, daughter of Emily and Jeramiah Platt, was recognized as the March Senior of the Month. Platt is the senior class president, vice president of National Honor Society and team captain of the varsity tennis and track and field teams. She is a member of Student Council, is part of the spring musical, 'Annie' and is an Illinois State Scholar.
Use of Swimming Pool for City-Sponsored Swimming Lessons
Twomey shared the Macomb High School swimming pool will not be available for swimming lessons previously offered at Glenwood Pool due to the construction of a new deck at the MHS pool this summer. The superintendent is checking with the facilities and transportation director to determine if the school's pool can be made available for a window of time for community swim lessons before pool deck construction begins.
Transportation & Behavior
At last month's meeting, the Board approved the district's new transportation handbook. Superintendent Mark Twomey told the Board Monday evening that the handbook is now in place, and after reading news reports from last month's meeting about the handbook several other districts have reached out to learn more.
Twomey also reported that during the month of February there were zero infractions on four of the district's buses.
Family Activity Passes Three Family Pass options will be available for the 2026-2027 school year: Macomb High School: $110 Macomb Middle School: $75 Grades 6-12: $150 SEL Presentation: Edison School Social Worker Chandler Adkisson & Karigan Spalding As part of the Strategic Plan Presentation, Adkisson and Spalding presented on Edison's Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. The program is centered on a team approach, with SEL lessons presented each week – Spalding in the general education classrooms and Adkisson in the self-contained special education classrooms. They also work directly with families and teachers as part of the program, while an accountability team is in place to address part of the school's multi-tiered support system.
Programming includes such topics as feelings, coping skills, conflict resolution, empathy, decision- making, self-esteem, friendships and more. Goals are also set for students to have an IEP.
Building Safety Enhancements
Twomey told the Board that due to a health situation that has arisen with the safety expert who was planning to come into the district for an assessment, rather than coming in-person to meet with the Board, a discussion will be had via zoom sometime in April.
In addition, the superintendent shared a security firm recently completed a demonstration of their company's equipment, which includes installing new servers to work with cameras already in place in the district's school buildings. The new servers detect weapons, and would cost the district around $100,000$125,000 annually.
'A weapon has to be brandished for the system to detect it, but it allows for an advanced alert so classrooms can be locked down immediately,' Twomey explained.
Another option the district is reviewing are metal detectors, with students entering a building through a single entry point.
