CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A third special meeting was convened by the Champaign School District to discuss the future of their superintendent. The gathering quickly took a turn for the worse, marked by shouting, tense interactions, and an almost physical altercation, all within the span of two hours.
This evening’s agenda was concise, with only two items, both concerning the future of Superintendent Sheila Boozer. It was also the third special session this month for the newly formed board, and it instantly became one of the most tumultuous.
The board voted to approve a separation agreement with Superintendent Sheila Boozer. Furthermore, they assigned Dan Casillas the role of acting superintendent until an interim successor is appointed.
Both of these decisions were expected to pass — and did by a 5-2 margin.
What wasn’t expected was the loud back-and-forth at the end between the audience and members of the board.
Thursday was the third special meeting for the new Champaign school board — and perhaps the most consequential. Once again, it started with fiery public comment, with many in the crowd showing support at the podium for Sheila Boozer keeping her job as superintendent.
“The time that is necessary is being unjustly cut short. Your legacy will endure. You’ve shown us what it means to lead with integrity,” said incoming Booker T. Washington principal Cessily Thomas.
“Disrespected our superintendent, but you got what you wanted,” said one speaker during public comment.
Shows of support also came from Champaign County NAACP President Minnie Pearson.
“What would it have been like if you had been as supportive of Dr. Boozer as you criticized her?” said Pearson.
After about an hour of public comment, the board got to new business — approving an amended employment agreement with Boozer, which will see her depart from the district.
“This agreement has been negotiated between district lawyers and the personal lawyer of Dr. Sheila Boozer over the last couple of weeks,” said Board President Tony Bruno.
Justin Michael Hendrix and Grace Kang were the sole two members voting against.
“I was not in favor of this as well, because this requires some additional money and I don’t feel like that is being very fiscally responsible,” said Kang.
“The name Sheila comes from Irish origins and Latin roots meaning heavenly. Yet we have been unable to experience this heavenly presence due to power moves I can only consider wicked,” said Hendrix.
The board also voted Dan Casillas as acting superintendent — pending the appointment of a more full-time interim. Once again, Hendrix and Kang voted against.
“I give it back to you all, because this is disgusting,” said Hendrix.
Then, the meeting went off the rails. A loud and disruptive back-and-forth happened between the board and the audience over the approved decisions, culminating with a man charging at Board President Tony Bruno after former Board President Gianina Baker spoke out from the crowd.
Board President Tony Bruno confirmed Boozer will remain on paid administrative leave until her contract expires in June 2026. He also says their agreement will eventually be made public — and says Boozer will need to sign it for the agreement to go into operation. Boozer herself was not at the meeting tonight.
