Champaign families voice concerns to superintendent during Unit 4 "Listen and Learn Tour"

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — Champaign families showed up to the RISE Center Saturday to voice their concerns with the school district as part of Unit 4's new "Listen and Learn Tour."

The meeting comes after hundreds of students missed the start of school due to residency issues during registration.

Superintendent Geovanny Ponce says his main concern is the students.

"I want to tell the community and parents I am here for you. I'm willing to support you. I'm here to support your children, and this is my job, I am committed to it," Ponce said.

The meeting gave school families a chance to hear from the superintendent and share what they think should change. Ponce said sessions like this are an opportunity to make a real difference.

"We want to make sure that we listen to the community before we start making changes or launching new initiatives," Ponce said. "I need to know from them how they feel, what they have seen, what has worked, and what is not working."

Families said they want more communication from Unit 4.

"We just want to know what's going on — that's the issue," said Julie Davall. "If you tell us what's going on and give us facts and transparency, we can work with that."

Davall said events like this one make a difference, and she plans to attend more in the future.

"We need to hear the voices of the administration, and using those voices, we can work collaboratively together to better the education for students," Davall said.