Urbana SD 116 previews Title IX policy updates; board to consider Press 116 by Dec. 17

Urbana School District 116 administrators briefed the board on proposed revisions to district policy Press 116 — changes the district said reflect new U.S. Department of Education Title IX guidance and take effect Jan. 1, 2025.

An administrator reading the policy summary told trustees the revisions are relatively narrow but include two notable items: the addition of trauma‑responsive content to staff development and a procedural change that permits a single person to serve as both investigator and decision maker in Title IX grievance processes. "This allows districts the flexibility to use a single investigator decision maker so that the same individual who investigates a Title IX complaint may also be the decision maker regarding the complaint," the administrator read.

The board was informed that the district’s current practice uses a two‑person model for more complex investigations, and the new language would give the district the option to use a single‑person model where appropriate. Administration emphasized that the district has been training staff on Title IX and related investigations; one presenter noted the district hosted an all‑day training this summer with outside attorneys.

Board members were told Press 116 must be approved by Dec. 17 at a business meeting. Press 117 will follow with more extensive changes to the Title IX grievance procedures and could be affected by potential federal policy changes after January. Administrators advised trustees to contact administration with specific questions ahead of the scheduled vote.