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Parent urges better banners, uniforms and shade tents for Special Olympics athletes
Summary
At a board meeting of La Salle-Peru Township High School District 120, parent Jessica Kavanagh urged the board to provide durable banners, improved uniforms and a shade tent so Special Olympics athletes can represent the district and be protected from sun exposure.
At a regular meeting of the La Salle-Peru Township High School District 120 Board of Education, Jessica Kavanagh, identifying herself as the mother of student athlete Justin Ralone, told the board the district’s Special Olympics team lacks durable banners, up-to-date uniforms and a shaded tent for state competitions and practices.
Kavanagh said LP currently uses paper signs and older T-shirts and offered to provide photos and help coordinate improvements. “I would really love it if we could just, like, borrow one of the other athletes’ banners … a huge thing that says LP,” Kavanagh said, adding that tents would help prevent sunburns on athletes who wait between events.
The appeal came during the public-comment portion of the meeting, after the board had recognized spring-sports state qualifiers and Special Olympics participants. Board President thanked Kavanagh for raising the items and noted the board values the athletes’ accomplishments; the transcript records no formal board action in response during the meeting.
Why it matters: Durable banners, standardized uniforms and shade tents are relatively modest investments that affect students’ safety and public presentation at state events, and Kavanagh said providing them could increase participation.
What was asked: Kavanagh requested three things: (1) a durable LP banner to display at state competitions; (2) improved or borrowed uniforms so athletes appear comparable to other schools; and (3) a tent for sun protection at competitions. She emphasized funds need not be new purchases and offered to supply photographic examples and help coordinate.
Board response and next steps: The record shows the parent’s request was heard during public comment; no vote or formal direction to staff appears in the transcript. Any follow-up—such as staff cost estimates, use of foundation funds, or a committee referral—was not specified in the meeting record.
Clarifying details from the transcript: the parent specifically named her son, Justin Ralone, and cited his state placings and history with the program; she said other schools have permanent banners and tents and that LP’s current shirts are worn across multiple years. The parent offered to email photos and help coordinate.
Community relevance and contacts: the request focuses on student-athletes in Special Olympics and would affect families and coaches in the district. Funding options mentioned in the meeting elsewhere included foundation donations and budget transfers already under discussion in separate agenda items.
