IVHS“ McKee inks two-year contract
From our weekly issue dated March 17, 2010
Three days after receiving a strong showing of support from teachers, parents and other community members at a Three Rivers School District (TRSD) Board of Education meeting, Illinois Valley High School Music Director Sean McKee has a new two-year contract.
McKee initially was included on a list of teachers on probationary status whose contracts were to be not renewed. But on Monday, March 8, more than 100 people turned out to support McKee at the TRSD administrative office in Murphy as the board of directors considered his fate.
That meeting was preceded by a lengthy executive (closed to the public) session, and featured emotional testimony from band students, members of area veterans groups and several other Illinois Valley residents.
The experience was “humbling,“ McKee said.
“It brought tears to my eyes to get that kind of support,“ McKee said. “I“m really proud of the students. They were so articulate and represented themselves so well. Everyone agreed that the students were just outstanding.“
McKee is in his third year of teaching for TRSD. He spent the first two years splitting his time between IVHS and Lorna Byrne Middle School, and his stint has seen participation in the high school program increase from eight to 30 students.
Under McKee“s tenure, the band program began participating in more community events, he said, including the Boatnik Parade in Grants Pass and functions commemorating Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. An after-school orchestra program also has started.
“We“ve tried to reach out to the community a little more,“ McKee said. “The community feels it“s valuable.“
On Thursday, March 11, McKee accepted and signed the new contract offered to him by TRSD. That fact was verified by TRSD Director of Human Resources Debbie Breckner.
“It was the same contract that is offered to all third-year probationary people as they move into being contract teachers,“ Breckner said.
McKee“s employment was threatened, he said, by an “internal issue.“
“It was a personnel issue,“ McKee said. “I made a bad choice that didn“t affect the students or other teachers. But we agreed at the (March 11) meeting that it“s in the past, and we“re going to move forward from now on and work really hard to make sure that music stays out there for the kids.“
However, contracts were not renewed for Kaci Holland, LBMS health and physical education teacher; and Michael Duffy, IVHS language arts and math teacher, Breckner said.
“That“s unfortunate. Those people work hard and do well with students, too,“ McKee said. “I care a lot about those colleagues.“
Breckner also verified the resignation earlier this month of Shawn Hardy, Evergreen Elementary School fifth-grade teacher .
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