... the plaque has been removed (October 4, 2010).Today, a commenter claiming to be Julie McArdle's husband, posted on Peoria Chronicle that Mary Davis has been honored with a bench at Lindbergh School.
The post:
"A bench was permanently installed near the front entrance of Lindbergh Middle School on Friday Oct 1st 2010. There is a nameplate attached to the bench that reads, “Simply the Best, Ms. Davis”.
As Julie McArdle’s husband, I am disappointed that given the circumstances, “the powers that be” would allow this to happen."
In October of 2009, Mary Davis, who had been on paid leave since September from her position as District 150 academic officer, was fired with a BOE vote of 5-0. Board members David Gorenz and Jim Stowell were not present for the vote. The BOE vote came four days after Davis, pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts of official misconduct and theft. While principal at Charles Lindbergh Middle School, Davis is alleged to have taken money from the school two times in 2005, four times in 2006 and two times in 2007.
Davis served as Lindbergh principal five years before becoming District 150 academic officer in 2008.
Questions have been raised as to who authorized the bench to be installed on school grounds. After a quick review of the Lindbergh website, the only reference I could find to a bench is an April, 2010 notation in the PTO minutes under New Business:
NEW BUSINESS - Class gift/letter-MELANIE GRAY
For the 8th grade class gift, a suggestion was to collect money for landscaping and possibly a bench. Melanie and Bill Gray are purchasing a decorative rock and paying for the engraving for the Class of 2010.
Was the purchase and installation of the bench simply an 8th grade class wanting to commemorate a Principal for whom they had fond memories? Hopefully the Police line tape will be removed before the children return to school on Monday.
Hat tip to Sharon Crews for the photos.