The District does not comment on individual past or present employees. Further, under FERPA and the Illinois School Student Records Act, the District cannot discuss any incidents regarding individual students. However, we would like to share some of the initiatives that have occurred or will occur in the coming months.

Having a forward vision for the work around issues of student support, race and equity in District 186 is very important to Superintendent Jennifer Gill. Last June, District 186 embarked on the first-ever Braided Behavioral Support Training with teams of educators from all of our schools. This event challenged the schools not to focus on just one approach but to braid together a variety of support systems in order to improve behavioral and academic outcomes for students.

For example, we had a team attend a workshop regarding trauma-informed and resilience-building practices, which includes information about the CDC-Kaiser Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. This program is sponsored in partnership with the Illinois Education Association and our local Springfield Education Association. Another diverse team of district leaders, administrators and teachers attended the International Institute for Restorative Practices training, which will provide direct training on strategies to build supports in our schools for all students and families.

Over the past two summers, we have had a number of administrators and teachers attend the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Cultural Proficiency Strand. We continue to be partners in the community work being led by the Race Unity group in Springfield. Every level of District administration as well as security staff have viewed the Racial Taboo film and it is now being shown in individual school settings.

In addition, we are partners in and fully support the work of the SCoDR (Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism) and have had a large team of educators attend the Crossroads Anti- Racism Training initiative over the last two years alongside community and faith-based organizations.

The District is intent on scaffolding our approach and having a growth mindset. While we own the past, the District embraces a forward-looking vision that will strengthen our system.