D-205 Stats Differ With What Parents Are Saying

ELMHURST, IL — Parents have told the Elmhurst school board at recent meetings that many of their children's teachers are teaching in-person students from remote locations.

For two weeks, Elmhurst Patch has been trying to get the percentage of teachers who are not in the classroom teaching students.

On Friday, Elmhurst School District 205 responded that currently, 2.5 percent of the district's 734 active certified employees are teaching remotely. That works out to 18 employees.

The district employs about 600 teachers; the remainder of the certified staff are teacher aides and others.

In its public records request, Patch asked for data that shows what percentage of teachers are not showing up in classrooms with students. That request included teachers who are working in the schools, but not inside in-person classrooms.

The latest numbers differ with the information that parents have given during the last two regular school board meetings.

In late January, Sherry Romano, like other parents, questioned why teachers weren't in the classrooms with their students.

"Most of my kids' teachers aren't even in the room," she said.

At this week's board meeting, parent Shirley Stilson sounded a similar theme.

"A few high school students told me that only three out of their eight teachers were in the classroom," Stilson told the school board. "Other kids have said, 'Why do I have to go to school if my teachers are teaching from home?'"