D-205 Faces Divisions Over Reopening Plan

ELMHURST, IL — Much division remains over Elmhurst School District 205's plan for reopening schools, a reflection of the debates across the country. The district has chosen a blended approach of in-person and remote days, with parents having the choice of entirely remote learning.

This week, the Elmhurst teachers union announced its opposition to the school district's plan, saying the schools should start the academic year with entirely remote lessons.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Dave Moyer and board President Kara Caforio have been publicly silent about the union's objections. They also have not returned Patch's messages. But it appears the board may be discussing the controversy behind closed doors — at least when it comes to the union's issues.

On Thursday night, after an hour of public comment, the board met in closed session to discuss "impact bargaining" with the Elmhurst Teachers Council. Under the state's open meetings law, the board is allowed to discuss matters dealing with union negotiations behind closed doors, but cannot generally discuss the reopening plan away from the public.

According to the district, about 85 percent of parents responding to a survey showed support for in-person instruction.

For Thursday's meeting, the board received 335 comments about the issue. By the district's count, 174 of the comments, or 52 percent, were in favor of the reopening plan, while 133, or 40 percent, opposed. Twenty-eight commenters, or 8 percent, took no position. More than 400 livestreamed the public comment portion of the meeting.

Some comments were read to the board by a district employee during the first hour of the meeting. Parents generally supported in-person learning, while teachers favored remote instruction.

On Monday, the Elmhurst Teachers Council announced its opposition to in-person lessons, saying it was unsafe for both students and staff because of the spreading coronavirus. On Facebook, the union later questioned why administrators held a virtual meeting this week when it wants students and teachers to meet in person.

Even before the union announced its objections, Superintendent Moyer criticized the organization in a mass email to parents and staff last week. In the message, he said in-person lessons were only possible if enough teachers were willing to report to work.

"A number of teachers have or intend to participate in site level planning to implement the Open D205 plan," Moyer said. "However, to date, after several attempts by the administration to initiate a conversation about how to safely open schools and plan for optimal student learning, union leadership has not been willing to come to the table to reach a mutual agreement about how to best achieve this goal."

While parents have the choice of remote learning, the district indicates deep inside its plan the drawbacks to such a choice. It says that certain electives, advanced level courses and hands-on classes may not be available remotely because of staffing and course design.

In the July 29 email, Moyer said the district is spending a half million dollars this school year to provide safety for all students and staff.

District 205 serves more than 8,000 students. It employs nearly 600 teachers, according to the Illinois Report Card. The Elmhurst Teachers Council is part of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Under the current plan, school starts Aug. 24.

Here is what nearby districts are planning:

Here's What District 61 Is Planning For New Year

Here's What Hinsdale District 86 Plans for Fall

Here's What District 181 Is Planning For New Year

Here's What LTHS Is Planning For Fall

Here's What District 181 Is Planning For New Year