A Message to the Community from CESD #317 Board of Education
Questions have recently been raised regarding several matters being considered and addressed by the CESD 317 Board of Education. On behalf of the Board, we would like to provide clarification, address some misconceptions, and help ensure that our community has accurate information regarding these decisions and the processes behind them. We recognize that our community is small, and we value the interest and concern that our residents have for our schools. We also understand that questions, rumors, and incomplete information can sometimes create uncertainty or mistrust. Our intention is to communicate openly and respectfully while maintaining the confidentiality and legal responsibilities of the Board.
Board Meeting and Public Access
All Board meeting open sessions are just that, open to the public and accessible to anyone who is interested in attending. Each month, meeting agendas are posted prior to the meeting, and minutes from previous meetings are available on the districtwebsite at www.cesd317.org under the Board of Education tab. Executive sessions are different. These meetings are closed to the public for specific privacy and legal reasons permitted by law. Matters discussed during executive session are confidential and cannot, and should not, be discussed outside of that session. The Board takes these legal obligations seriously and is committed to conducting its business appropriately and within requirements of the law.
Exploring Facility Options for Carthage Middle School
Questions have been raised regarding discussions about thepossibility of a new or alternative facility for Carthage Middle School. In recent years, CESD 317 has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on repairs and maintenance to a nearly 100-year-old building that continues to deteriorate. The board has also been made aware of ongoing issues and concerns regarding the condition of the building and the impact those conditions can have on our teachers and students. It is important to clarify that exploring facility options is not the same as deciding to build a new school. As a board, we believe it is our responsibility to examine the district’s options, understand the potential costs and feasibility of those options, and determine what may be possible within our financial means. We have a responsibility to our students and staff today, while also considering the long termfinancial and educational needs of the district. There has never been an intent to hide or mislead the community regarding our desire to explore alternative facility options. These discussions have taken place during open Board sessions and are accessible to the members of the public.
Carthage Middle School Principal Appointment
Some members of the community have also questioned the Board’s recent decision and the process used in appointing Dr. Dustin Day as Principal of Carthage Middle School. We would like to clarify both the process and the circumstances surrounding that decision. The Board was informed of the resignation of Carthage Middle School Principal at the end of May 2026. A public job posting was subsequently made to accept applications, and a total of three applicants applied for the position. A four-person panel consisting of the Superintendent, a current administrator, one Board member and one tenured teacher reviewed the applications and conducted interviews. The panel is responsible for evaluating candidates and determining whether it wishes to recommend a particular candidate to the Board. The Board used the district’s established application and interview process and does not independently select a principal outside of this process. At the July Board meeting, Dr. Day informed the Board that, collectively, the interview panel did not have a recommendation to bring forward. Dr. Day then voluntarily proposed that he would be willing to serve as both Superintendent and Principal. He informed the board that he has served as both Principal and Superintendent at a previous district. Dr. Day acknowledged to the Board that, because of his pending retirement and current contract, he could not receive additional financial compensation for taking on the principal responsibilities. Dr. Day was fully involved in this decision and comfortable with the direction taken. Given the timing of the next scheduled Board meeting, and the desire to begin the school year with a principal in place, and the fact that there was no other pending candidate recommendation, the Board accepted and approved Dr. Day’s proposal to serve as Principal. Just to assure you, this change is not related to any disciplinary action or demotion. Dr. Day stepped forward voluntarily to fill an important need for the district at a critical time. The Board and Dr. Day have agreed to work together throughout this school year to reevaluate the district’s administrative structure and determine whether changes may be appropriate as we move through and toward the conclusion of the year.
Why an Interim Educational Consultant?
The Board has also received questions regarding why we believe an interim educational consultant would be beneficial to the district. Currently, there are a few concerns that teachers, staff, and community members have brought to the Board’s attention. The Board is committed to improving student achievement and attendance, strengthening staff support, promoting consistency across the district, and advancing overall District improvement. We believe these concerns and commitments deserve attention and meaningful follow-through. Attempting to address these priorities while having one administrator simultaneously serve as both Superintendent and Principal is not an ideal situation. There is another issue we cannot overlook: in the past five years, Carthage Middle School has had three principals, and the District’s Board has had 15 different members, with several resigning before completing their terms. That represents a significant amount of turnover. We believe that level of change deserves thoughtful consideration as we work toward greater stability, continuity, and consistency within our District. When consulting with the district’s attorney regarding these concerns and possible solutions, we were advised that hiring an interim educational consultant was a viable resource that could benefit the district’s current needs. Yes, a consultant is an expense. However, that expense is offset by the fact that this school year the district is not paying a separate principal salary, additional insurance or retirement. As a result, the Board does not anticipate that this arrangement will create any additional financial responsibility for taxpayers. The consultant’s contract is structured on an as-needed, per-day basis, with a maximum of 120 days. The Board will periodically reassess the district’sneeds and demands and will utilize the consultant accordingly. Please note, prior to hiring the consultant, members of the Board met with Dr. Day to explain our concerns and discuss the possibility of bringing in an interim educational consultant. The Board recognizes that serving as both Superintendent and Principal is a significant responsibility and could become demanding and overwhelming. Our goal is not to simply fill positions. Our goal is to create an administrative structure that allows our administrators to be successful while providing our teachers, staff, students, and Board with the support they need. Dr. Day was open and receptive to the idea of bringing in additional support, and he expressed his willingness to work with the consultant.
Gary Miller, Interim Educational Consultant
Gary Miller is a retired educator and former teacher, principal, and superintendent with many years of experience in educational leadership. He has been contracted by the School Board to assist the district on an interim basis. Mr. Miller is not replacing Dr. Day. Rather, he is an additional resource brought in by the Board to support Dr. Day as he fulfills the dual responsibilities of Superintendent and Principal. Mr. Miller will also provide additional administrative support to our staff and serve as an additional resource to the Board as we navigate the current school year and evaluate the district’s needs moving forward. All administrators’ contracts, including compensation, terms, and duties, are public information and are available for review at the district office. As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, the Board believes this decision provides the district with a practical means of supporting Dr. Day, strengthening administrative capacity, and supporting our teachers, staff, students and Board.
Our Support for Dr. Day
We also want to be clear about something that may have been lost in some of the recent discussion: This Board supports Dr. Dustin Day. We recognize and appreciate the accomplishments he has made thus far for our District. We appreciate his passion for our students and his commitment to our schools. We are confident that, above all, Dr. Day cares deeply about our students and will continue to make decisions with their best interests at heart. Bringing in additional support is not a reflection of a lack of confidence in Dr. Day. It is a recognition that the responsibilities of Superintendent and Principal are significant, and that providing additional resources can help set our administrators up for success.
Moving Forward as a District
We currently have two Board members with nearly 10 years of combined service on the Board, while the remaining five members collectively have less than 4 years of experience. A relatively new Board can bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, opportunities, and a willingness to examine longstanding practices and embrace positive change. At the same time, we recognize the value of experience, and we are committed to learning from those that served our District before us. We live in a small, rural community. We understand that information travels quickly and that questions or concerns can sometimes develop into rumors or misinformation. However, we want our community to know that it is not the Board’s intention to deceive, mislead, or withhold information from our community, as has been suggested. We will continue to conduct the Board business in open session whenever the law permits, provide public access to agendas and minutes, and make decisions based on what we believe is in the best interest of our students and District. We may not always make decisions that everyone agrees with. That is part of serving a community. What we hope for is that disagreements can be based on accurate information, respectful conversation, and shared commitment to improving our schools.
Our Commitment
At the end of the day, we as the CESD 317 Board of Education are here for one reason: our students. Every one of us chose to apply and run for the School Board because we want to make a difference and help create a promising future for the children in our community. Each Board member has a life outside this role – families, careers, jobs, responsibilities, and commitments. We have made the choice to give our time to serve our community because we believe our schools and our students are worth that investment. We welcome questions. We welcome constructive dialogue. We welcome community members who want to attend meetings, learn more about the work of the Board, and become involved in the future of our District.
Our District is worth investing in.
Our community is worth serving.
And our students are worth getting this right.
CESD #317 Board of Education