South Students 'Penalized': Darien School Official

DARIEN, IL – A Cass School District 63 board member on Thursday took Hinsdale High School District 86 board members to task over the disparity in course offerings between Central and South high schools.

Residents in the South zone have long pointed out the inequities at District 86 board meetings. But it is rare for a school board member in the South zone to do so.

District 63 board member Liz Mitha, a Darien resident, read quotes in Patch stories from District 86 members on the importance of equity. But she said they have not followed through for South students.

Central's enrollment is about twice South's, so its course selection is greater. In the mid-1990s, the two schools' enrollment was nearly equal.

"South students shouldn't be penalized because the board has decided to keep Central much larger than South," she said during the public comments part of District 86's meeting.

Mitha said District 86 has a relatively "easy fix" for the problem: Hire more teachers to staff South's classes with low enrollment.

She described herself as shocked that the District 86 board, in her assessment, spends little time on financial issues. The district, she said, has enough money in its education account to hire more teachers.

Earlier this year, the district revealed 16.4 percent of South students did not get one of their course choices. That only happened for 1.5 percent of Central students.

"Students at South are 11 times more likely to have a course denied," Mitha said.

Board members do not respond to public comments.