Racist Voicemail, Vandalism Follow Teacher's Lawsuit: District 65

EVANSTON, IL — District officials in Evanston/Skokie School District 65 issued a joint statement Saturday in response to a federal civil rights lawsuit filed last month by a teacher alleging the district violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause and Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Superintendent Devon Horton and the seven-member District 65 board described the lawsuit as part of a concerted national effort to target racial equity-based efforts in schools and promised to continue to fulfill the intent of the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws.

"Unfortunately, this lawsuit subverts these laws and values by taking out of context and misrepresenting our District’s lawful, sensitive and responsible professional learning and student-focused initiatives to advance the important work of building equity in our schools," district officials said. "We plan to vigorously defend against this baseless and inflammatory lawsuit, while not letting it distract us from the important work we are doing as a District community."

According to the joint statement, police are investigating potential hate crimes linked to the lawsuit.

"Surrounding the polarizing media coverage of the lawsuit and its characterization of our District, Superintendent Horton received two voice messages containing racial slurs and threats of bodily harm and his car window was broken while parked in a District lot by what appeared to be an intentional act of vandalism," the officials said.

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Plaintiff Stacy Deemar, a Wilmette resident who identifies as white, has been a part-time drama teacher in District 65 for nearly 20 years, according to her attorneys. Before filing the lawsuit with attorneys from the Roswell, Georgia-based conservative nonprofit Southeastern Legal Foundation, she filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

That complaint alleged she faced discrimination and retaliation after students allegedly assaulted her, when portions of a second grade musical were canceled and when she was not given a requested transfer, according to a January 2021 letter of finding from the department's Office of Civil Rights, which determined there was insufficient evidence to support Deemar's claims of retaliation but concluded the district appeared to have discriminated based on race.

A resolution agreement was negotiated by federal education officials and district representatives, according to past reports, but the Education Department suspended its pursuit of the case after President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking former President Donald Trump's executive order targeting diversity and inclusion training programs.

District administrators named in the case were served with Deemar's lawsuit last week, according to court records. They have until July 29 to file an answer to her complaint.

According to the joint statement from Horton and the board, district officials are carefully reviewing policies and procedures to ensure the safety of students and staff as they prepare for summer school.

"The Board of Education and administration of District 65 remain committed to acknowledging and intentionally addressing racial and cultural biases, structures and practices that adversely affect student learning and achievement in a safe and inclusive environment for all," they said. "Our families, educators/staff and community are valued partners in this work, and we appreciate your continued support of our schools and students."