Crete-Monee High School Reports 60% Drop in Disciplinary Referrals

Crete-Monee School District 201-U Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026

Article Summary: Crete-Monee High School Principal Lamont Holifield presented data to the Board of Education showing a significant improvement in student behavior and a reduction in disciplinary infractions during the first semester of the school year. The administration attributes the success to new systems focused on student accountability and restorative practices.

High School Discipline Key Points:

• Referrals Down: Disciplinary referrals dropped by 60.1% compared to the previous year, falling from 721 to 288.

• Freshman Impact: The most significant reduction in defiance referrals occurred among the freshman class.

• New Systems: The school implemented “Smart Pass” for digital hall monitoring and “Take Five,” a reflective intervention program.

• Conflict Resolution: Administration successfully mediated a three-year conflict between groups of juniors and seniors, preventing a potential “mob action” event.

The Crete-Monee School District 201-U Board of Education on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, received a comprehensive report regarding a major shift in culture and discipline at Crete-Monee High School. Principal Lamont Holifield detailed new strategies that have led to a measurable decrease in behavioral issues.

Holifield described a “cultural shift” from adult-managed compliance to student-owned accountability. To achieve this, the school implemented “Smart Pass,” a digital system for managing hall passes, and “Take Five,” a classroom-level intervention designed to address minor behaviors instructionally before they escalate to office referrals.

“We adopted this system because we believe in the premise that behavior is just like academics,” Holifield told the Board. “It can be taught, it can be practiced, and it can be improved.”

The data presented showed a sharp decline in infractions across the board. Compared to the same time last year, total referrals dropped from 721 to 288. Specific categories saw major reductions, with “inappropriate language” down 64%, fighting down 60%, and threat-related behaviors dropping by nearly 80%.

Holifield highlighted a specific win regarding a long-standing conflict between groups of students in the junior and senior classes. By bringing 30 students and their parents together for a mediated circle, the administration resolved a three-year dispute.

“At the conclusion of that meeting, every student in there shook hands,” Holifield said. “This one win has transformed our school because you would have had mob action after mob action if we would have refused to address that situation.”

Board members praised the administration’s approach. “The number one thing that everybody misconception is let’s just get them through high school,” Board President Maurice Brown said. “But the idea is… making them a responsible adult… owning your mistake, it changes who you are.”