Schools

Elmhurst Parents Group Appears Conservative: Resident

The group says it is neither conservative nor liberal. One of its leaders apparently opposes Donald Trump.

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst resident on Tuesday criticized a local parents group that contends that students are being indoctrinated with Marxism and critical race theory.

Resident Scott Glosner spoke at a meeting of the Elmhurst School District 205 board.

He noted Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Curriculum has called out specific teachers who it contends teach politically biased lessons to students.

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He also pointed to a flyer on the group's website that includes the names of the two sponsors of Bryan Middle School's Gender & Sexualities Alliance. The group asks, "Do you know what Clubs are in your school?"

"I don't want to use the word cowardice, but EPIC 205 likes to call out specific offenders in 205 as ringleaders," Glosner said. "True transparency would be to have (the name of) each charter member of EPIC 205, so the accused can see the accusers – all of them."

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The group's website includes no names of its members or leaders. Its private Facebook page lists the names of three administrators, Tom Chavez, Isaac Yue and Tanya Marie. Tanya Marie apparently does not list her last name.

Chavez, who is considering running for the school board next year, is the most high-profile member. He has spoken to the board repeatedly.

Yue has spoken to the school board about his concerns with students' test scores.

In his comments, Glosner pointed to the group's position that teachers should not advocate political positions to students.

At the same time, he said, the group appears to have a conservative bias.

On its website, he said, is an article by Christoper Rufo. In the 2020 piece, Rufo writes, "If Mr. Trump and the Republicans want to win the election, they must quickly break through this blockade of euphemisms and educate American voters about the facts."

Glosner said, "Rufo is a conservative activist, so this does not seem non-political to me."

As is its practice, the school board did not respond to Glosner's comments.

Chavez could not be reached for immediate comment. He has long said his group is neither conservative nor liberal.

Tanya Marie includes the slogan, "F--- Trump," on her Facebook page.

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