York High Rejects Role In Civil Rights Film

ELMHURST, IL – A York High School teacher who has been the target of conservative activists' criticism asked for the school's involvement in a PBS documentary on civil rights.

The school district rejected the request.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained emails between the teacher and school officials.

The documentary seeks to examine the legacy of the 14-part PBS series, "Eyes on the Prize," which was seen as groundbreaking. Aired from 1987 to 1990, it focused on the 20th-century civil rights movement.

In an Oct. 31 email to Principal Jessica Hurt, social studies teacher Lindsey DiTomasso noted Maia Harris, who is involved in the new documentary, won two Emmys for her writing and production of African American history documentaries on PBS.

Another person in the project, Marco Williams, made the film, "I Sit Where I Want." It explored the Supreme Court's Brown vs. Board decision, which ruled school segregation unconstitutional.

In a Nov. 9 email, DiTomasso said Williams twice observed her class and that filming would start in December during her fifth and sixth periods.

The producers would return in the new year for more interviewing, the teacher said.

"Eyes on the Prize" is used among the whole U.S. history course team, DiTomasso said. And she said the film series meets the state's history standards.

Hurt replied that she would contact Elmhurst School District 205's communications director, Tonya Daniels, who handles public relations.

On Nov. 20, Hurt told DiTomasso that the documentary request was under legal review, saying the district's attorneys had questions.

Eight days later, DiTomasso emailed Daniels, copying Williams. She said she knew Hurt had reached out multiple times since Oct. 31 about the documentary, with filming expected to start Dec. 7.

"We are so excited to celebrate the anniversary and commemoration of the 1987 PBS: Eyes on the Prize series!" DiTomasso wrote. "I wanted to put the three of us on an email to help expedite the process as it's been almost a month since the proposal was submitted."

She cited several instances over the years when her classes received media coverage:

• NPR recorded her history classes for President Barack Obama's back-to-school speech in 2009.
• The Chicago Tribune covered her classroom as part of the 9/11 anniversary.
• Her course's diplomacy unit on Ukraine and Russia was featured in the New York Times in May 2022.

DiTomasso referred to the PBS documentary as an "amazing opportunity." She also noted the 2008 documentary, "The Long Green Line," was filmed at York, following the legacy of the boys cross country team and coaches Joe Newton and Charlie Kern.

Daniels replied that the district was seeking a "pretty quick turnaround" from its lawyers.

DiTomasso responded to Daniels, copying Williams and Hurt. She said the attorneys received the request the week of Thanksgiving or earlier.

"There is past precedent in 205 with the filming of The Long Green Line ... which was actually about York. This project is not," the teacher said. "Unfortunately, this is time sensitive now, which is why I provided ample time of a month to review and approve the project. I appreciate the consideration, help and timely communication. But are the attorneys aware of the timeline?"

On Nov. 30, a day after DiTomasso's email, Principal Hurt informed Williams that York would not take part in the project.

Hurt said it was her first year as York's principal and that she was unaware of the timeline to greenlight a project such as a documentary.

"They wanted prior notification before we engaged in any talks with you all, time to vet the project, and then background checks on anyone working on the project who would be with the students," Hurt wrote.

She said the rejection had nothing to do with the project's content.

"I am very sorry that this did not work out," the principal said.

DiTomasso and school officials did not return messages for comment from a week ago. After the story appeared online Thursday, the district's spokeswoman, Daniels, emailed Patch to say the principal shared the news with the producers, but did not make the decision. She said it was the district's administration that made the call.

In 2021, DiTomasso and English teacher Kelly DeLoriea were denounced by local conservative activist Tom Chavez and his allies. They accused the two of pushing a liberal bias in their classes.

Chavez lost in the school board election last year, but continues to speak out on school issues. Last summer, the school board publicly reprimanded DeLoriea for a social media post that referred to Chavez's child. Her union later filed a complaint in response to that discipline.