Elmhurst D-205 Gets Complaints About 5 People: Official

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst School District 205 has received complaints about five people, but officials cannot reveal details, the school board's leader said Tuesday.

Board President Kara Caforio read a statement at a board meeting in response to residents' complaints about curriculum.

Since last summer, a number of parents and students have alleged the district is teaching what they see as critical race theory. They said they oppose the teaching of concepts such as "white privilege."

For the first time, Caforio said, the district has posted new teaching materials online for the next school year.

Forms in which parents can object to the materials are on the district's website, Caforio said. To date, though, no one has submitted the form, she said.

Caforio then said the board takes complaints brought forward against people seriously.

"Those shared by students or community members have been looked into, including recent complaints brought forward alleging actions of five named individuals," she said. "Four of the names brought forward are not employees of District 205.

"While we want our community to know that due diligence has been completed regarding any complaints brought forward, the law does not permit us to discuss personnel matters publicly," Caforio said.

The state's openness laws allow public bodies to keep much information about specific employees secret. But the laws do not mandate confidentiality.

Even if laws required secrecy, Caforio did not explain how they would apply to the four non-employees. Patch has left a message for comment with the district.

In her statement, Caforio said the district wants teachers to follow the board's policy when teaching controversial topics.

According to the policy, such discussions must be age-appropriate, consistent with an educational purpose and respectful of everyone's opinions. It also calls for avoiding "emotional criticisms and hurtful sarcasm."

The district, Caforio said, aims to teach students how to think, not what to think. She said the district would be vigilant in addressing concerns about curriculum.

"We also will not let fear hinder us from having hard conversations in our classrooms and at the board table in order to support the growth of all students," Caforio said.