Are Academic Outcomes A Focus At Elmhurst D-205?

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst School District 205 board has a policy not to respond to public comments at meetings.

But board President Kara Caforio on Tuesday appeared to indirectly respond to an accusation that the board fails to make academic performance the top priority.

During public comments, resident Tom Chavez noted Patch's story this week about the falling test scores among the district's eighth-graders.

"Among the top District 205 initiatives last year was to develop a long-term strategic plan that prioritized (social-emotional) learning, not strong academic proficiency," said Chavez, who is considering running for school board next year.

Over the last year, Chavez said, residents have brought the issues of low proficiency, biased curriculum and the lack of transparency to the district's attention.

"But the district, with the full support of the board of education, continued down the path of prioritizing equity and social-emotional learning, instead of applying any urgency for immediate improvement to district-wide low academic performance," he said.

After public comments, Caforio reiterated the policy about not responding to public comments.

Then she turned to Associate Superintendent Scott Grens.

"Could I just ask a favor that you and I sit down and catalog where we talked about student data at all the board meetings for the last school year?" she said. "I think it's important that we highlight our work here is about students, and that's what we have been doing at every meeting to my recollection. But I would appreciate some help if that would be all right. Then we can share that at the next board meeting."

"Sure, absolutely," Grens said.