Parents Blast Elmhurst 205 And Union, Saying They're Failing Kids

ELMHURST, IL — Technical issues plagued the livestreaming of this week's Elmhurst school board meeting. The meeting started late and the public was unable to watch remotely. These problems played into parents' main argument against remote learning — it doesn't work.

As with other meetings, the school board on Tuesday faced a torrent of criticism from parents for continuing a hybrid of remote and in-person instruction when other schools, including private ones in town, allow their students in the classroom far more often.

Parents also argued the teachers union was preventing more in-person learning, with one accusing the organization of being a bully. For the most part, Elmhurst School District 205 and the Elmhurst Teachers Council have kept publicly quiet about their dealings.

Following its policy, the school board did not respond to the public comment at its meeting.

Physician

Like others, Shirley Stilson, an Elmhurst physician with children in the local schools, said the hybrid model is failing students.

"Their teachers, if they are in the classroom, are teaching to the computer. 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?'"

Other parents have made similar statements to the board about teachers instructing in-person classes from home. For nearly two weeks, Patch has been trying to get information on what percentage of teachers are doing their jobs remotely. That information may come in response to a public records request in the next few days.

Now that older people are getting vaccinations for the coronavirus, Stilson inquired who the board was protecting by continuing remote education. She noted only one DuPage County resident under 18 died of the virus in 2020.

Scout leader

Monte Weirman, a parent and a Scout leader, told the board the mental, motivational and social effects of remote education have been detrimental for his children and Scouts in his troop,

"My youngest is an avid dancer. She was the lead in 'Nutcracker' last year. She doesn't want to go to dance anymore. That's terrible. She doesn't want to leave her room," Weirman said. "My high schooler tries to do classes from bed. We get him out of bed, and then he's right back in bed. It's really hard to watch."

The district's students, he said, have lost an entire year of learning.

"My junior is now a sophomore in my eyes," he said.

Weirman then took aim at the union.

"We don't allow bullying in school. I feel that the teachers union has been a bully," he said.

He volunteered his services to the district in the fight against the union.

Mother of four

Elizabeth Thompson, who has four children, said she was at the meeting to advocate for increased time in the classroom.

"But I also want to point out what happened here tonight with the Zoom difficulties, the problems of livestreaming, the inability for you to get this meeting started on time. (That) is what our little kids deal with every day, the Zoom glitches, the problems with getting kicked out of their meetings, not knowing where they are supposed to go," she said. "I believe in each and every child in this district, and we are failing them."

Thompson said many students are far too young to navigate the Zoom issues "that none of you could figure out tonight."

"In order to remain engaged, they need to remain in the classroom," she said.

Another mother of four

Michelle Shoemaker, a mother of four, also noted the technical difficulties, which she said played into her comments.

"We should be addressing the real problem, which is Zoom," she said. "It is a lose-lose for both the teachers and the students."

She also said York students who have chosen the hybrid model are not showing up for class.

"This is not fear or COVID-related, but it is because at school, they sit at their desk staring at Zoom, just like they do at home," Shoemaker said.

Parent of three York students

Deanna Emmerich, mother of three boys at York High School, said the public is watching "the hot potato get tossed back and forth between the board and the ETC," referring to the union.

She related some comments from her sons and their friends about the current system: "It is impossible to learn anything through remote learning." "I wake up and have nothing to look forward to." "I won't see my friends with names L through Z for a year." "I just want to experience what I have left of my senior year." "I have no motivation to learn anything through a computer screen."

She said her sons have lost a quarter of their high school education.

"That is not only deplorable, but it's unacceptable," Emmerich said. "That is the legacy that the district is leaving behind for our kids."

See related stories about in-person learning in District 205:

D-205 Reveals When In-Person Learning Will Return

D-205 In-Person Plan Moves Too Slowly: Board Minority

D-205 To Test Students For Coronavirus