'Inappropriate' Bias At York High: State Lawmaker

ELMHURST, IL — A Republican state lawmaker from Elmhurst has joined others in criticizing what they see as a bias in classes at York High School.

Rep. Deanne Mazzochi responded to a Patch inquiry about the issue Monday.

"As a parent of a York HS student, I have unfortunately seen evidence of not just inappropriate classroom bias, but an apparent failure to comply with District 205 Board policies as well," Mazzochi said in an email. "After raising the issue with members of the Board, at these Board members' request, I sought to help advocate for these parents and my own student within the existing administrative infrastructure, including via the department chairs and the Principal."

Mazzochi did not identify the board members who made the request or where the "inappropriate" bias exists. She also did not describe the bias or say which school board policies were being violated.

"I am and will continue to help parents engage with our schools on these issues, because none of us want to see degraded teaching standards, non-compliant hidden curriculum, and we all want to see adherence to our school board policies," Mazzochi said. "My goal is to bring the school and these parents together in a way that ensures these children are getting the best possible education we can provide."

Last month, York parent Tom Chavez told the school board that a liberal bias exists in the classroom of social studies teacher Lindsey DiTomasso. He said her lessons are part of a greater effort toward Marxist indoctrination at York. He provided no evidence that teachers were promoting Marxism, which is the theory that serves as the basis for communism.

Earlier in the school year, a number of students also contended some teachers' lessons were biased.

The comments have sparked a debate about bias in York classrooms. Many, including former students, have defended DiTomasso online, praising her abilities as a teacher. Last week, comedian John Leguizamo tweeted about DiTomasso, "I support her big time!"

District officials and the teachers union, however, have remained publicly silent.

Patch sent Mazzochi's email to school board President Kara Caforio, but she declined to comment, other than to say, "District 205 values and encourages dialogue between parents and teachers in support of students."

These days, Mazzochi, a critic of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, typically focuses on the economy, ethics issues and the governor's pandemic restrictions.

However, a few years ago, she sometimes called attention to social hot-button issues with her "Snark of the Day" posts on Twitter. She did so during her time as chairwoman of the College of DuPage board. Some comments focused on transgender people.

In other "Snark" posts, Mazzochi said President Barack Obama wanted revenge against "colonialist white men" and explained why a "white, male Republican" would be best for liberty.

She hasn't written any "Snark" posts since 2016.

A spokesman for Mazzochi's biggest individual contributor, Ken Griffin, told Patch last year the lawmaker's older Twitter posts do not represent his values. He made his $200,000 donation before Patch's story about Mazzochi's commentary last year was published. Griffin is considered Illinois' richest man.