By Chris Fox
Five people spoke during the public-participation segment of the Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board meeting on Tuesday, March 15.
Just prior to that segment, District 205 Board President Kara Caforio read a statement. The district provided a copy of that statement to the Elmhurst Independent:
“Since last July, questions have been raised by members in our community regarding curriculum and instruction in D205. And while there is much to read about online in other districts – the most important work for us as a community is what is happening here in Elmhurst
Community Unit School District 205.
“In order to provide our students in D205 an education that teaches them how to think not what to think, we continue to value rigorous learning, fostering an understanding of different perspectives and nurturing respect for one another even when the conversation is difficult.
“The Board of Education and the Administration take the concerns raised by students and parents seriously and have spent countless hours listening and looking into any concerns brought to the Board of Education and administration regarding curriculum and instruction.
“The following points of oversight action have been communicated with individuals we have met with, but should also be noted publicly for our community:
1. The Board of Education follows Board Policy 6.210, ‘Instructional Materials Selection and Adoption.’ Every fall, course proposals or course changes are brought to the Board for review and must be approved before moving forward. Every spring, any proposed new instructional materials are presented to the Board and are then made available for 30 days for the community to review before coming to the Board for final approval. Currently, new instructional materials being considered for the 2022-23 school year are on display in the District office and new this year, available to view online. Feedback forms can be completed online and submitted through the website.
2. The Board of Education has ensured there is a process in place for students and families who would like to share objections or concerns with any curriculum, instructional materials, or programs in accordance with Board Policy 6.260, ‘Complaints About Curriculum, Instructional Materials and Programs.’ That process and form has been shared with individuals who have raised concerns and is available on the District website as well as with our school principals. To date, no objection forms have been submitted.
3. The Board of Education takes complaints regarding individuals brought forward seriously. Those shared by students or community members have been looked into, including recent complaints brought forward alleging actions of five named individuals. Four of the names brought forward are not employees of District 205. And while we want our community to know due diligence has been completed regarding any complaints brought forward, the law does not permit us to discuss personnel matters publicly.
4. The Board of Education continues to regularly review Board policies and makes updates based on recent law changes and/or to reflect current realities. Policy Committee meetings are public, held quarterly and policies are then placed on two Board agendas for review and approval. Links to those meetings and policies are available on the District website.
5. The Board of Education negotiates with its employees to ensure a curriculum night is provided each year, where the curriculum and class expectations are shared with families. And parent/teacher conferences are offered to ensure at least one structured opportunity for parents to communicate with teachers about their student and class content.
6. The Board of Education is responsible for adhering to Illinois School Code, which includes what is to be taught in Illinois Public Schools. All Illinois mandated units of study are available online at ISBE.net. Complaints regarding current requirements for Illinois Public Schools should be directed to either the Illinois State Board of Education or our local State Representatives, including Deanne Mazzochi and State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton.
7. The Board of Education supports a rigorous and robust learning environment at York High School for our 2,800 students with varying values, needs, interests and goals. Numerous course offerings are available within each academic department that meet graduation requirements and electives that allow students to explore areas that are meaningful to them. This includes a robust offering of college level courses which includes Advanced Placement classes whose curriculum is dictated by the College Board. Information on their requirements can be found at collegeboard.com.
8. The Board of Education has allocated resources to ensure families have opportunities to make informed choices and conversations regarding course work. Course offerings and syllabi are available to students and families online; PowerSchool, an online grade book, allows students along with parents and guardians the opportunity to review graded progress on assignments; tech resources such as Google Classroom provide opportunities for parents and guardians to review with their students the materials and assignments in a class. It is important our students and families have information to make informed choices.
9. The Board of Education continues to value rigorous discussion across our hundreds of classrooms that provides an education that is rich in the ‘how to think’; not what to think. Board Policy 6.80, ‘The Teaching of Controversial Issues’ allows for rigorous discussions. Students or families who have concerns about a discussion or assignment can contact the teacher, department chair, principal, superintendent or Board of Education. We, as a team of seven volunteer community members, a superintendent and administrators, will continue to be vigilant in spending time on any concerns brought forward.
“We will also not let fear hinder us from having hard conversations in our classrooms and at the Board table in order to support growth for all students.
“D205 community, thank you for the value you place on a rigorous education and for the values you teach your children at home that empower them to courageously and respectfully learn and explore.
“We are incredibly grateful to live in a community that comes alongside our public schools and supports each other as we educate more than 8,000 individual and unique students each year.”
More coverage of the last D205 School Board meeting appears elsewhere in this issue.
