At Wednesday night’s school board meeting, Unit 5 officials appeared to brace for a barrage of public comment.
In the wake of last week’s sudden announcement that the fall semester will begin online, meeting organizers arranged 200 chairs throughout the lobby and cafeteria at Normal West Community High School.
In the end, only 30 seats were needed.
Of the parents who were present, three addressed the board to express their concerns over the lack of in-person instruction.
Debra Marquis, who has two children enrolled in Unit 5 schools, said the dangers children face when kept out of school far outweigh the risks posed by the coronavirus.
“Children are at risk for suicide, drug abuse, household accidents, domestic abuse, and long-term learning loss,” Marquis said. “They’re at much higher risk for these things than they are of any permanent harm from COVID-19.”
She added that a shift to online instruction goes against the guidance of the federal Centers for Disease Control and American Academy of Pediatrics. Both agencies have stated the importance of returning to in-person learning in the fall.
In his comments to the board, another parent, Charles Baugh, expressed his frustration with the timing of the board's decision.
“How can this board shut down the schools so close to the beginning of the school year?” he demanded.
“The plan you put out last week is all for you,” Baugh went on, explaining that he has two students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP), which are specially designed programs for students with disabilities.
Baugh said his children will suffer without face-to-face instruction.
“You’re protecting your teachers,” he said. “But you’re not protecting us.”
Unit 5 began communicating this week with parents of IEP students, pledging to craft more individualized approaches to remote learning.
For Kendra Long, whose two sons depend on the social, emotional, and educational interactions that only a classroom can provide, that’s not enough.
“The more you take away in-person instruction, the more they fall behind,” Long said of her children, one of whom is autistic and non-verbal.
“If I sound frustrated, it’s because my heart is broken for my children, she said, choking back tears.
Long urged the board to consider making special accommodations for students with special needs. She suggested distanced, classroom learning ,or in-home visits from teachers and therapists.
“Please do what’s right for my children and so many like them,” she said.
Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle told WGLT the district is working on a plan for some face-to-face learning for special needs students.
“Our director of special ed is working extremely hard with our special education staff to be able to provide some in-person learning opportunities,” she said, adding staff started reaching out to families on Wednesday and will continue those calls through the week.
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