No Peanut Ban in Arlington Heights District 25

At a school board meeting March 19, a parent in Arlington Heights School District 25 came forward to request a peanut ban after her child had an allergic reaction at school without having come in contact with peanuts.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Arlington Heights School District 25 Superintendent Joan Bein has decided against a ban, choosing instead to focus instead on educating the community about food and other allergies.

“A ban is not on the table right now,” Bein told the Tribune.”We knew that what we could control and what we could have the biggest impact with was education.”

“Bein said she decided against a ban because, after doing research and talking to other school districts, it didn’t seem effective,” she told the Tribune. “She said it’s not possible to enforce a ban, and prohibiting peanuts from school grounds doesn’t address other types of food or severe allergies.”

A committee will be formed to discuss the education approach. About a dozen people have already volunteered to serve on the committee.