Official Statement from the East Aurora Superintendent of Schools

Submitted by Bill St. Clair on Tue, 14 Feb 2006 18:25:29 GMT <== Politics ==>

[received via email, commentary here]

From: "Clayton Muhammad" <cmuhammad@d131.org>
To: "Clayton Muhammad" <cmuhammad@d131.org>
Subject: OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE EAST AURORA SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 09:16:54 -0600
Message-Id: <200602140916218.SM01516@ssccmuhammad>

East Aurora School District 131
February 13, 2006

Official Statement from the Superintendent of Schools

Michael Radakovich, Ph.D East Aurora School District 131 is committed to doing what is in the best interest of our students. The recent news of one of our middle school students being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for the possession of look-alike drugs is both unfortunate and undesirable.

As it is with any educational system, District 131 has set procedures in each school to ensure the safety of our students and staff. When information about this particular situation was brought to the school's attention, school administrators followed the established protocol with the safety of all of our students as the top priority. Because we understand that communication is so vital in rectifying any situation, each student and staff member involved gave personal statements and parents were immediately contacted.

The grounds for suspension were made by a breech in rules as outlined in the school handbook, statements by those involved, and the expectations that we have for all of our students. The Aurora Police Department School Resource Officer worked with our students and staff from the very beginning and misdemeanor charges brought forth by the Aurora Police Department were made according to the information that was acquired. (See the attached APD Statement)

As Superintendent of Schools, part of my role is to address such situations that attract the concern of so many in the community. As a parent, I understand the desire to protect our children from harm and to fight for what we believe is right. As a community member, I know that our children benefit more by being in school than being out of school.

As I reviewed this case this weekend, I knew that the best solution was to get our young student back into the classroom to continue his education and to learn more appropriate ways to handle matters in the future. An offer has been extended to the parents that would allow the student to serve the remaining eight days of the suspension at the Aurora Middle School Academy. If this offer is accepted, this will allow him to continue learning and completing academic assignments while being held accountable for actions that can prove to be much more dangerous in other environments.

Education is not about the filling of a pail, but about the lighting of a fire. It is not about rules and punishments but expectations and achievements. I am proud to serve as superintendent of a district that expects the best of our students at all times. When we connect the expectations of home and school, our students will achieve and strive to be the best that they can be.

We thank our parents, staff, and community partners for working with us to positively impact the lives of all of our children.

When we do what is right for one student, we do what is right for all students.

Michael Radakovich, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
East Aurora School District 131

ALL INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:

Mr. Clayton Muhammad
District Spokesman
East Aurora School District 131
Office of Community Relations
417 Fifth Street
Aurora, IL 60505
630.299.5565
630.299.5500 fax
href="mailto:cmuhammad@d131.org">cmuhammad@d131.org
href="mailto:info@d131.org">info@d131.org
www.d131.org

============================================================

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHIEF WILLIAM POWELL
350 N. RIVER ST.; AURORA, IL 60506
www.aurora-il.org/APD

From: Dan Ferrelli [href="mailto:ferrelli@apd.aurora.il.us">ferrelli@apd.aurora.il.us]
Sent: Saturday, February 11, 2006 1:57 PM
Subject: Statement--- Arrest of 12 Year Old

In reference to the findings of the preliminary investigation into the arrest of a 12 year old boy who was charged with possession of a look alike substance at an Aurora middle school on Wednesday, (February 8):

On Tuesday, February 7, the boy told a classmate that he was bringing crack cocaine to school the following day. These comments were heard by at least one other student(s).

The day of the arrest, the boy told the same classmate that he had brought the crack cocaine, which was packaged in a manner consistent with actual narcotics, and invited him into the bathroom to ingest it.

When a custodian walked into the bathroom, he witnessed the two boys with a suspicious package, and took them to the school office where school administrators and the Aurora Police School Resource Officer began their investigation.

The boy arrested admitted to police that he told the classmate the day before that he would be bringing crack cocaine to school.

The boy was charged with a MISDEMEANOR offense, not a felony as indicated in at least one published report.

The Aurora Police Department is absolutely committed to a safe learning environment in all schools as evidenced by our close relationship with all of the school districts in the city. Narcotics, whether they are actual or perceived, have no place in our community much less in educational institutions.

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End the War on Freedom

Official Statement from the East Aurora Superintendent of Schools