What Will It Take For D-205 To Reopen?

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst school system's superintendent did not reveal Monday whether students would return in person next week.

But three school board members pressed Elmhurst School District 205 to bring at least some students back soon.

All this is happening as a "Reopen D205" group has formed on Facebook, attracting nearly 1,000 members. Organizers said they planned a protest outside Monday's board meeting.

On Friday, the district plans to announce a decision on whether to return to in-person learning. If it gives the go-ahead, the first day is likely next Thursday.

At Monday's school board meeting, Superintendent Dave Moyer said the district was trying to determine whether to use local coronavirus numbers to justify a return to in-person learning.

Last Wednesday, the district shut its doors for two weeks based on DuPage County reaching "substantial" risk level for the virus.

Moyer and board members said the district has a track record of success in bringing students into school during the pandemic. On the week of Oct. 5, District 205 was the first DuPage County unit district to reopen to all students for a blend of in-person and remote learning.

Board members expressed a desire to at least get special needs and English learner students back in class.

"I'm not convinced that operating with zero kids in the building is the right decision for us," board member Chris Kocinski said. "We have vast ownership of property assets in our district. We could triple and quadruple the social distancing."

Board members Courtenae Trautmann and Jim Collins agreed.

In response, Moyer said the district needed to get a sign-off from medical professionals before it uses local coronavirus metrics and school procedures as a basis to reopen schools.

"It depends on how soon I can get an opinion from medical experts," he told the board. "The last time I reached out, we had some difficulty getting some of our local people to partner with us on that. I have some ideas on what we can do. I'm hoping we can get that part done in the next couple of days."

He added the district is making progress.

"I just have to get that piece from health officials, then I think we're good to go," he said.

District 205 serves more than 8,000 students and employs about 600 teachers.

Here are some of the latest stories about reopening D-205:

Elmhurst D-205 Union Says School Reopening Plan Will Fail

D-205 Touts This Key Change For Remote Learning

D-205 Sticks To Schedule, But With Key Change

Enough Staff For Elmhurst D-205?

District 205 Sees Wave of Resignations

See Which Elmhurst Areas Backed In-Person Lessons Most

D-205 Gives No Clarity On In-Person Learning

D-205 Rejects Most Employees' Remote Requests

When Do D-205 Middle And High School Students Return?

Coronavirus Exposure At York High School: Official

All D-205 Students Back In School By Oct. 5: Official

York High First Of Its Kind To Reopen In DuPage: Official

Coronavirus Exposure At York High School: Official

The Number Of Virus Cases In Elmhurst Schools

Fewer New Virus Cases In Elmhurst Schools

Elmhurst Schools Going Fully Remote: Official

Protest Planned At Elmhurst School Board Meeting