Distict 89 Declines Return To Full-Time In-Person Learning

GLEN ELLYN, IL — Students in Community Consolidated District 89 will not resume full-time, in-person instruction during the 2020-21 school year. The school board held a special meeting Saturday and announced later that day that the extended-day schedule that started Monday will stay in effect for the remainder of the school year.

The announcement came a day after a group of parents rallied outside District 89 headquarters to demand the district return to five full days of in-person learning.

In an update on the District 89 website, district officials said they heard from "dozens of community members" representing different viewpoints before and during Saturday's meeting. The update continued, "Board members felt that the March 22 expanded-learning plan is the best opportunity to meet the greatest needs for the 78 percent of students learning in school and the 22 percent of students learning from home in a consistent environment through the end of the school year."

Currently, 1,400 District 89 students are enrolled in hybrid learning and 700 in fully remote instruction.

CCSD 89 Board President Tim Jedlicka acknowledged that the past school year has been "frustrating."

"If our decision is not the same as the one you would have made, it does not mean we were not listening. Where we could address some of your concerns, we did. Everyone is giving up something, yet everyone is also gaining something. No plan is perfect, but this is the best plan for our district," Jedlicka said in a statement.

As of March 22, the district's hybrid learning elementary students are in session from 8:50 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. Monday through Friday and complete the remainder of each school day remotely. Hybrid learning students in middle school are back in class for a full day Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday remains fully remote for middle school students.

District officials added that they are "committed" to starting the 2021-22 school year with full-time, in-person instruction. If remote instruction will still be required, the district plans to make accommodations to ensure that remote learners and in-person learners get separate instruction.

Also on Patch:

District 41 Plans To Return To 5 Days In-Person Learning In April

Parents Vow To 'Keep Pressure On' After Rally To Reopen Schools

Districts 203, 204 To Resume 5 Days Of In-Person Learning