District: Decatur Public School District #61 ("DPS 61")
RCDTS: 39-055-0610-25-0000 | ISBE District ID: 39055061025
County: Macon County, IL | Type: Unit District (Type 25, K-12)
Domain: dps61.org | Admin Office: Keil Administration Building, 101 West Cerro Gordo Street, Decatur, IL 62523 | Phone: 217.362.3000
Flagged on illinoisschooldistrictaudit.com: Tier 1 EBF, 16.6% ELA proficiency (all students)
Captured: 2026-05-16
Decatur SD 61 is the unit school district serving the City of Decatur and parts of unincorporated Macon County in central Illinois. The District operates 16 schools including 2 high schools (Eisenhower HS, MacArthur HS), 1 middle school (Stephen Decatur MS), 1 early-learning program (Pershing), 1 alternative-ed site (DPS Alternative Ed / The Prep Academy), 1 Montessori school, multiple magnet & lab/elementary schools, plus the SELA (Social Emotional Learning Academy). DPS 61 is also the administering district for the Macon-Piatt Special Education District (MPSED) — a joint SPED cooperative (mpsed.org).
CMS: Blackboard / Schoolwires (Centricity). Policy platform: IASB PRESS via BoardPolicyOnline.com (b=decatur_61). Board governance: District-hosted Open Session Packet PDFs in Centricity Domain/30 (no BoardDocs). SIS: Skyward (iscorp-hosted).
7 elected at-large members; staggered 4-year terms per 105 ILCS 5/10-1, 5/10-10. Detailed roster in board_members/board_members.md.
| Dr. Rochelle Clark | Superintendent | Confirmed via Page/47 |
| Dr. Larry Gray | Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning | |
| Eldon Conn | Assistant Superintendent of Support Services | |
| Dr. Mike Curry | Chief Operational Officer | Also serves as Board Treasurer (ex officio) — see board_members.md. Likely CSBO-endorsed. |
| Ashley Grayned | Executive Director of Innovative Programs & Strategic Planning | |
| Monica Wilks | Director of Human Resources | |
| Maria Robertson | Director of Communications & Public Relations | |
| Mary Brady | Director of Teaching & Learning — Elementary | |
| Dr. Edwin Robinson | Director of Teaching & Learning — Secondary | |
| Dr. Danielle Lusby | Director of Student Services | Likely 504 / McKinney-Vento liaison placement (verify FOIA) |
| Kathy Horath | Director, Macon-Piatt Special Education District (MPSED) | MPSED is the joint Special Ed cooperative (see mpsed.org) — DPS is the administering district |
| Travis Friedrich | Assistant Director of MPSED | |
| Elizabeth Lang | Assistant Director of MPSED | |
| Maurice Payne | Director of Information Technology | |
| Floyd Bolt | Director of Buildings & Grounds | AHERA / Life Safety compliance — verify per 105 ILCS 5/34-18.20, 40 CFR 763.84 |
| Valdimir Talley, Jr. | Safety & Security Administrator | |
| Kayla McCreary, RN-MSN | School Health Services Administrator | School-nurse program coordinator (23 IAC 1.420) |
| Role | Required by | Person Identified | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOIA Officer | 5 ILCS 140/3.5 | Melissa Bradford, Board Secretary | https://www.dps61.org/Page/70 |
| Title IX Coordinator | 34 CFR 106.8 | Not directly named on Page/47; typically Director of Student Services (Dr. Danielle Lusby) or HR Director (Monica Wilks) — verify per Notice of Non-Discrimination page (https://www.dps61.org/Page/1417) | https://www.dps61.org/Page/1417 |
| ADA / Section 504 Coordinator | 28 CFR 35.107 | Likely Dr. Danielle Lusby (Student Services); verify FOIA | Policy 7:10 / 6:120 |
| McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison | 42 USC 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) | Not publicly named; likely under Student Services — FOIA required | Policy 6:140 |
| Truant Officer Liaison (to ROE) | 105 ILCS 5/26-5 | Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education | https://www.mpsed.org/ |
| Erin's Law / Faith's Law Coordinator | 105 ILCS 5/10-23.13 | Embedded in Student Services | |
| Sex Equity Coordinator | 105 ILCS 5/22-19 | Same as Title IX Coordinator (verify) | Page/1417 |
| Asbestos / AHERA Designated Person | 40 CFR 763.84; 105 ILCS 5/34-18.20 | Floyd Bolt (Buildings & Grounds) | typical practice |
| Pre-K Coordinator | 105 ILCS 5/2-3.71 (PFA) | Sarah Knuppel — Principal, Pershing Early Learning Program | Page/48 |
| School | Principal | City |
|---|---|---|
| Baum Elementary | Sergio Reyna | Decatur |
| Dennis Lab School | Kamie Meador | Decatur |
| Eisenhower High School | Dr. Mistie Rodriguez | Decatur |
| Ellsworth Dansby Jr. Magnet School | Rida Ellis | Decatur |
| Franklin Grove Elementary | Heather England | Decatur |
| Hope Academy | Tasia Burks | Decatur |
| Johns Hill Magnet School | Michelle Prior | Decatur |
| MacArthur High School | Cordell Ingram | Decatur |
| Montessori Academy for Peace | Nate Tallent | Decatur |
| Muffley Elementary | Maria Wiggins | Decatur |
| Parsons Elementary | Holly Kitson | Decatur |
| Pershing Early Learning Program | Sarah Knuppel | Decatur |
| Social Emotional Learning Academy (SELA) | Jessica Ellison | Decatur |
| South Shores Elementary | Kristi Mullinix | Decatur |
| Stephen Decatur Middle School | Curtiss Lindsey | Decatur |
| DPS Alternative Education / The Prep Academy | (see Page/94) | Decatur |
Total publicly-listed school sites: 16 (excluding district administration / MPSED office).
Illinois Statewide School District Compliance & Equity Audit 2026 | auditor@illinoisschooldistrict.org | IllinoisSchoolDistrict.org