By Chris Fox
For The Elmhurst Independent
The Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 Board heard some passionate comments from residents during the board’s special meeting on Jan. 28 at the District 205 Center, 162 S. York St.
Seven residents spoke during the public-participation segment at the start of the meeting. The residents criticized the board for not implementing full-time, in-person instruction at the district’s schools. In October 2020, the district transitioned from hybrid learning to fully remote learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district returned to hybrid instruction on Jan. 11. The hybrid model features a blend of in-person and hybrid instruction. Most of the students who participate in hybrid learning attend school in person two days per week. Up until this week, Wednesdays have featured fully remote instruction throughout the current school year. The district began to offer in-person instruction to some students this Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Students at most district schools are divided into two groups in the district’s current hybrid instruction. Students at Bryan Middle School and Sandburg Middle School, however, are divided into three groups of students (A, B and C) because of space considerations and social-distancing guidelines. According to the hybrid schedules at those two schools, students in Group A and Group C will be in school, in person, six days during the month of February. Students in Group B will receive in-person instruction for seven days in February.
According to the district’s rules, speakers during the public-participation segment have three minutes to speak. Because of COVID-19 regulations, they cannot enter the boardroom until it is their turn to speak, and they must leave the boardroom after they finish.
Becca Harpster, the first public speaker at the Jan. 28 meeting, delivered a passionate address to the board.
“The mental health of our kids is in an emergency state,” said Harpster, who proceeded to refer to the number of in-person school days for Bryan and Sandburg students in February. “Most students at Bryan and Sandburg will go to school for six days in February; this is unacceptable.
“The ISBE [Illinois State Board of Education] says that in-person education should be prioritized for those under the age of 13. Stop listening to one consortium of doctors who clearly don’t have the best interests of our kids at heart.”
Adrianna Cook, the segment’s second speaker, urged the board to immediately provide students with more in-person instruction.
“I believe in my heart that you all know what is best for our children, and that they need to be in school full-time; not hybrid, not remote, not in this ridiculous alternate universe you consider educational,” said Cook, who went on to criticize the Elmhurst Teachers’ Council—the union that represents the district’s teachers.
“Why are you doing this to our kids? Why are you making this about the teachers and the union and their needs? Why aren’t you standing up for the students? Why aren’t you putting our students’ needs first? They’re kids. They need you. They need our teachers. They need their full attention, not some distracted face behind a screen. How much longer do we have to beg and plead with you to fully open the schools when we all know it’s safe and possible to do so? Why are you ignoring the data?”
Cook stated that thousands of schools across the country are offering full-time, in-person education during the pandemic. She also said that District 205 parents are willing to do everything in their power to contribute to a full schedule of in-person learning.
“This isn’t about the students,” said Cook. “It never has been. It’s about the union members and their refusal to show up, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why you won’t stand up to them and be an advocate for the students. That is your job. Now please do it. Not when everyone is vaccinated. Not next month. Tomorrow.”
Many concerned about Moyer’s ‘lame duck’ status
The board held the special meeting to discuss its search for a replacement for District 205 Superintendent David Moyer, who recently accepted a position in New York. Moyer, who has been District 205’s superintendent since 2015, will begin his new position in New York on July 1.
Maniola, the Jan. 28 meeting’s third public speaker, asked the board to consider relieving Moyer of his duties.
“I respectfully ask that the board consider either immediately relieving Dr. Moyer of his duties as superintendent of District 205, or, at a minimum, consider conferring lame-duck status upon him in regards to decision-making as he finishes his term,” she said.
She added that while she realized the district has contractual obligations with Moyer, this is a critical period for students and staff, and the district needs a superintendent who is focused on the district and fully reopening its schools as soon as it is safely possible.
“Given his decision to seek and accept a new out-of-state position during this time, a number of parents, myself included, are very concerned that Dr. Moyer has not been able to and will not be able to focus 100 percent on District 205 at this most crucial time,” Maniola said.
Maniola stated that the district employs eight assistant superintendents under Moyer. She asked if one of them could step in on an interim basis.
Jen Rice, another speaker at the meeting, implored the board to return the district to full-time, in-person classes.
“Your remote, hybrid model is failing,” said Rice, who stated that children are falling behind academically with limited in-person instruction. “The lack of transparency is abhorrent; what’s even worse is the lack of common sense.”
Rice said that the lack of regular in-class instruction has led to an increase in children struggling with problems related to mental health. She also questioned Moyer’s commitment to the district in his final months as its superintendent.
“There is no urgency by the district or the board to get our kids in the classroom five days a week, in person,” said Rice. “With our superintendent one foot out the door, we need the school board to stand up to the union, find a way to get a majority vote, and put someone at the leadership role that has this community’s goal as their No. 1 priority.”
Is cheating a concern?
Another speaker said her daughter has learned nothing during the current school year, except how to cheat. She claimed that her daughter and other students were able to cheat on tests from home by using a second computer or device. The parent also stated that many teachers are not in school buildings when classes are in session.
“Most of my kids’ teachers are not even in the room,” the parent said. “The teachers who are present stand at a podium with their computer in front of them, and teach to a computer.”
Another speaker, Joe Qualtier, told the board that many students have given up, and are not learning during hybrid instruction.
“Our children are increasingly isolated, lonely and depressed, and there is more damage being done in this area than any public safety issue that COVID presents for our children and for our teachers,” said Qualtier, who said the district needs a plan that places teachers and students in school, full-time. “When a student shows up to class and the teacher isn’t there, or is there and is teaching half the kids over Zoom, it is not only ineffective, but it is completely demoralizing and demotivating for the students.”
Moyer stated at the Jan. 26 board meeting that the district would announce an updated COVID-19 related plan at the upcoming board meeting on Feb. 9.
Hilary Simonds, the seventh and final speaker during the public-participation segment of the Jan. 28 meeting, asked that multiple district parents have a seat at the table to collaborate with Moyer and other district officials in developing the updated COVID-19 plan. Simonds said the plan must show a clear vision of how the school day will function.
Board members Christopher Kocinski, Karen Stuefen and Courtenae Trautmann participated in the Jan. 28 meeting remotely. District 205 Board President Kara Caforio joined board members Jim Collins, Margaret Harrell and Beth Hosler in attending the meeting in person.
