District 158 Parent Union

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 12/15/2022 D158 School Board meeting below.

1:26 -Parent welcomes new school board member Jon Dailey and states that she appreciates his comments to the Northwest Herald on Tuesday in which it reported “Dailey said he doesn’t think taxes need to be higher.” She stated that, based on his comments to the paper, she and many others, would appreciate him voting “no” tonight on the tax levy and how frustrating it was to hear the board refer to not wanting to leave money on the table during the November meeting:

“That money on the table is our money. It’s on our kitchen tables, not your boardroom tables. That money isn’t “left on the table” if you don’t take it. It remains in households with families…

This money doesn’t belong to you – and at a time when many are outraged about the endless spending on green initiatives in this school district, you are asking for more money. Just because you can, does not mean that you should.”

She also discussed the inappropriateness of a board member checking his voicemail on speakerphone during public comments at the previous meeting.

1:30 – Father speaks against the tax levy, stating that at 5%, this is the highest tax levy ever since the district was started. “The district has continually lied and given false information to the public.” He outlines how the district hides administrative positions and expenses under different classifications. He states that district enrollment has dropped by more than 1000 students since 2020, yet the administration costs have doubled and staff has gone from 64 to 101.

He points out that the board is voting on the highest-ever levy in an election year, and anyone voting yes will be called out publicly by many people at election time.

1:34 – Former HHS student states that in 2021 he put together a walkout to address the bullying in the schools, stating that publicly, the district tries to state that students matter, but his elementary-age cousin was sexually exploited on the bus. He said it is a shame that he dealt with issues like this when he was a student, and it is still going on. He states that he and his family will continue to fight.

2:14 – Father urges the board to vote no on the levy tonight. He states that the district “needs to revisit its stance on taking all the money ‘left on the table,” also referencing a statement made by the board during the November meeting. “This levy, which may be the highest levy increase in the history of District 158 is an example of how this board is rubber-stamping all requests for funding and the budgets from the administration.”

He notes that the district has already peaked in enrollment and has lost 10% of the students. Estimations on subsequent years also show a decline in enrollment. “This should afford the district to maintain zero, no increases in the tax levy without affecting services. It’s basic economics. However, the district chooses to spend wildly and uncontrollably on things which do not affect the core mission of the district: To educate our kids.”

He continues outlining the gross overspending: Five million dollars for 12 electric buses, while 12 diesel buses would cost less than one million. 12 natural gas buses would cost just over one million.  “With enrollment declining so much, do we even need more buses? Yet we are spending 5 million. Why? So we can get a press release? A press release that has nothing to do with education? We can’t pay enough to keep bus drivers in the district, but we can afford fancy $400,000 buses? Instead of spending more on teachers when our staff turnover has nearly doubled in the last five years?”

His entire speech lists numerous additional statistics showing how the district needs to get its priorities focused on falling test scores, with less than 50% of students proficient in math and language arts.

2:19 – Father states that this is the highest property tax increase the district has ever asked for, and “I think it appalling… this single vote tonight will be over $6,000 on their property taxes next year. One vote by this board. If you’re not here tonight, you’d better not complain about your taxes next year… This is the most important meeting if you want to complain about your taxes. This is it. That’s why I’m here.”

He continues to discuss budget issues that would help solve the district’s LIGHT program issues without a tax levy increase at all.

2:22 – Mother says she was not going to speak tonight, but she had to come up and point out that the district used a photograph of the LIGHT program students as the “token picture” for the tax levy presentation to take more money from families. “That’s infuriating knowing the current state of LIGHT right now. Knowing that special services is scraping by with minimal aid for our growing special needs community… you have chosen to spend that money on ‘fake happy programs and new apps constantly instead of where it has been needed. And now you want more of our money to fix the problem.”

She urges them to spend more wisely, and closes with “But that’s not what you’re going to do. You’re going to vote yes, and we’re all at your mercy. And all of the Del Webbers who didn’t know until it’s too late will all be at your mercy. And it is disgusting.”

2:24 – Former McHenry County board member speaks to her experience with levies and asks the board to vote no. “When I’d go door to door asking people to vote for me, guess what they want to talk about? Taxes. And they pull out their tax bill, and they show me he amount of money that we pay for school taxes here.”

She continues to state “We have the second highest taxes in the state of Illinois, and we should all be ashamed. We have the fastest-growing demographic of adults living on fixed incomes.”

Tax Levy

1:41 – District 158 presents a slideshow detailing why they feel they need the highest tax levy ever asked for.

4:29 – District begins tax levy discussion, stating “It’s obviously understandable that this level of increase will be a concern for members… what I would point out to people is… not to take things out in isolation, look at the budget as a whole.”

4:32 – “What it comes down to is that it’s a competitive environment out there, and we’re at the low end of spending.”

4:33 – Board member Melissa Maiorino states “Right now, where we are, there are families that are really, really struggling, and it’s not going to get any better. I’m not discrediting anything about our district and the wonderful programs that we do offer. I just know in talking to people… families are struggling. I think about the impact that has even on our students in their home life… people are not able to make ends meet as it is right now… I don’t think I can do it.”

4:34 – Board President Tony Quagliano replies “There’s always some people who aren’t making ends meet… I’m looking at the overall [unintelligible] of the needs of the district to continue to succeed at the level, and again from a community standpoint, again, it’s unfortunate that our tax base is mostly residential. So it does hit a little bit harder on our homeowners, but..  it’s a community we all moved into, and we accepted, and we decided that this is the kind of district that we wanted, and we’re willing to fund on that level.”

4:36 – The board votes 6-1 in favor of the tax levy. Mrs. Maiorino was the only “no” vote.

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 12/1/2022 D158 Committee of the Whole Meeting below.

14:19 – Mother and grandmother detail the rampant bullying their kindergartner has endured on the bus where his pants were pulled down and he was exposed. They have been trying to raise attention to this for two months. The child is traumatized, has been crying, has lost weight, and is having difficulty sleeping.

When she asked what is being done to ensure the safety of students, especially young students on the buses, the transportation department reportedly told the family “We don’t have enough bus drivers as it is.” Due to district inaction, and speaking with other families in the district whose students are also being severely bullied, the family is now considering private school.

16:32 – During this speech, while the grandmother was speaking, a school board member checked his voicemail on speakerphone, and his message was heard over the microphone in the board room: “Hi Bill, this is St. Alexian…”  This occurs immediately after the grandmother says “my grandson’s kindergarten.”

Since this incident, the family has been expressing their displeasure on social media that a D158 board member was both not paying attention to public comment and using his phone to audibly check his own voicemail while they were detailing the horrific things that have happened to this child. Members of the public only receive three minutes to speak. Is it too much to ask for the board’s undivided attention during this time?

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On 12/7/22, this mother and grandmother held an outdoor rally near the corner of the Reed Road campus. A crowd of parents brought signs and gathered to raise awareness of this issue, and local media was present as well.

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 11/3/2022 D158 School Board Meeting below.

1:23 – Mother discusses the LIGHT program and expresses how inappropriate a location Marlowe is for these students. She says they are cleaning rooms and watching movies instead of learning life skills. The students no longer have access to the kitchen and apartment environment that they had at HHS.

1:26 – Mother of four students discusses her daughter’s experience at the LIGHT program at Marlowe and says it is not acceptable to keep hearing that a permanent home for these students is five to 10 years away.

1:29 – Mother reads a statement from the Parent Union stating that so many parents feel that the district has lost its way. How do more solar panels raise reading scores? How do electric buses improve math scores? If there is a budget surplus, why is that money not being used to directly help the education of students in this district when only 33% of students are meeting reading standards?

1:31 – Mother addresses the issue of the open school board seat and begs them to do what is in the best interest of the children. She raises issues about social emotional learning and political agendas being pushed in the school, asking them to please abandon politics and just educate the kids.

1:34 – Mother discusses the sexual predator present at Leggee Elementary in September and gives background on where the man was located in relation to students that day. She says “The more I found out about what goes on in this district and what is hidden from parents, the more I wonder, what else are you hiding?”

1:36 – Mother discusses special needs awareness in the district, the LIGHT situation at Marlowe, and how many improvements need to be made to both LIGHT and the way special-needs issues are being handled in the district.

Later in the meeting, the board discusses going for the maximum tax levy possible, increasing property taxes for everyone in the district:

3:28 – “There’s never been a year for which we have passed along a five percent increase…”

3:33 – “There is no money left on the table due to new construction, due to estimates that you’ve been given…”

An explanation on the tax levy:

They are adding a “balloon” to the levy so they can get a higher tax rate. So, if there is more construction than expected, they can keep the rate higher – even for the new houses. This ensures they are able to tax as high as possible for everyone.

If they didn’t have the balloon, the rates would go lower for everyone because there would have more houses to spread it around to. This plan is to ensure they get all the taxes they can — not what they need based on a budget.

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 10/20/2022 D158 School Board Meeting below.

1:09 – Mother discusses availability of a book in the HHS library that instructs minors how to meet strangers for sex with online apps. She asks how book selection takes place. Dr. Rowe responded that the district got the book because a student requested it.

She asks if the district will be providing any other books on topics if students request them – bestiality, orgies, Playboy? She says she feels a bit duped by the school district, naively believing there were guidelines in place that were more selective than a public library, especially with the district’s push for the Smart Social program to teach students to use the internet safely — which this particular book contradicts.

1:14 – Father discusses the Voice’s recent articles that students are having issues with the new math curriculum and VPN student accessibility able to bypass the school’s content filters.

1:16 – Mother speaks about ongoing, serious issues with the district’s LIGHT Program, which provides transition services for students with special needs aged 18-21. She gives detailed, in-depth information on how these students’ needs are not being met, despite the district receiving more funding for special-needs students than others.

1:24 – Mother reads passages from an HHS library book instructing minors how to use sex apps and provides photocopies of these pages to the board, again asking why the district filters internet content and encourages use of Smart Social responsible behavior online while simultaneously putting this book on a special display for students.

On behalf of the Parent Union and many other parents, she requests that the district adopt a simple policy:pornographic and sexually explicit content should not be permitted in the classroom and the school library. She reiterates that no one is asking for a book ban, but a common-sense age-appropriate restriction which is supported by 79% of the public.

1:28 – Mother inquires about the sex offender incident at Leggee Elementary where a known, registered predator was sitting in his car in the school’s parking lot at the time children were being released from school. She demands to know why parents were not notified of this incident.

1:31 – Mother thanks the Buddies club for their Spooky Buddies Halloween event and is dismayed that yet another event for special-needs students was left off the district’s RAD calendar, which is supposed to promote diversity.

She also discusses issues with Chromebook content filtering and the idea that some of the sexually-explicit books in the school libraries may promote or encourage human trafficking – as again, they instruct minors on how to use apps for anonymous sex.

2:11 – Dr. Rowe responds to some of the public comments, stating of the Leggee sex offender incident: “The story is not accurate and I think that we need to clear that up… misinformation.”  … “This person was not lurking at Leggee in person — the person was in a vehicle.”

“We elected not to communicate it because I didn’t believe it needed to be communicated that there was no issue. The person was in the car rider line, was identified by a School employee, the proper authorities were notified and it was handled. There was no, um, underhanded activity occurring other than the violation of of the registry. So the truth is out. I just wanted you to be aware aware of that hopefully clear up some of the misinformation.”

2:13 – Dr. Rowe addresses the library book issues: “The book is in our library. I don’t believe that the school board should go down the road of removing books that are in a library. It is a clear violation of a Supreme Court decision that was made in 1982 – Islands Free School District versus Pico. I don’t – I just I don’t recommend we go down that path. That’s why we focus on our internal processes to ensure that things were tight and that we were following policies that we were following…”

He adds that books are recommended by the American Library association and Lincoln’s List and that the librarian considers the appropriateness for the age group “and is it worthy of being in the library.”

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 9/15/2022 D158 School Board Meeting below.

1:10– Student hands out photographs to each board member of a sex offender who is involved with a D158 counselor, and the student alleges that his own personal information was disclosed via FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request to this person, putting he and his friends, minors, at risk.

1:12 – Mother raises concerns about the same sex offender FOIA’ing information and states that he is a sex predator who allegedly raped a 7-year-old, yet he is connected with a social worker from D158.  The mother states that D158 has spend $490 fulfilling his FOIA request and turning over information about minor students to this offender.

1:15 – Mother addresses neglect of academics going on D158 schools while the District is “worrying about pronouns and what animal someone feels like being that day. I’m a 911 dispatcher, and I will tell you that if someone calls and says there is a person out in public barking and saying they are a dog… police will respond, as well as paramedics, for a psychiatric eval.

“So, if that is a real-world reaction to someone who wants to act and be a dog for a day, why are you allowing it to happen in your school? You’re telling these children that this is acceptable behavior… If you had a person standing in your front yard howling at the moon and acting like a wolf, are you going to go out there and pet him and tell him he’s a good boy? Stop allowing this nonsense to continue, and stop putting a spotlight on it like it’s something to strive to be!”

She continues, calling the district out on its encouragement of alternate pronoun use, stating “Because the school district wants to draw such attention to it and make it a big deal, it’s becoming a big deal to these kids. You guys are causing this. You are the ones who set the standard for what is important in school — which should be nothing but academics.”

1:19: Three parents read a joint statement from the D158 Parent Union written at our September meeting regarding parents’ concerns.

Part 1: “We depend on the school board for leadership, but what so many of us are seeing is a failure to lead and a willingness to bend to whatever nonsensical fad or whim is being pushed by a specific political agenda.” The statement continues to discuss students dressing as animals and points out that at another local school in a different district, teachers told a student they would not recognize her chosen identity of a parrot, and the student has since stopped acting as one.

The Parent Union emailed Dr. Rowe regarding the pronoun song taught to Conley Elementary students last month, and Dr. Rowe responded that “this was a teacher attempting to create an inclusive environment and make sure all students feel welcomed.”

“So many of our parents are outraged that these concepts of alternate pronouns and genders are not only extremely confusing for young children, but they have no basis in science, and there is no data available yet on whether or not teaching these concepts is beneficial or harmful. You, and we, won’t know for years. So who are you taking your cues from on the furries, the pronouns, and the supposed myriad of genders?”

Part 2: The statement also points out that D158 moved the high school graduation out of a church rented for the event because it wasn’t worth doing if it made even one student uncomfortable. Yet these new ideologies make many students uncomfortable, and they are still being pushed.

A parent reported a 7th grade teacher at Marlowe is exhibiting grooming behaviors to the students, and another teacher offered to give the answers to a work packet to students who aligned with pro-LGBT themes, but students who did not also did not receive the answers.

Part 3: Last summer the D158 Parent Union met with Dr. Rowe regarding the slant toward sexuality, and at that meeting, it was stated that this was “the way society was going.” “Last night at our meeting, one of our parents said ‘no, the school is now deliberately shaping society by promoting these views to young children. Psychologists are calling this a social contagion.” The statement concludes by calling for the the board and district to simply make education the sole focus of our schools.

1:26: Mother speaks about the recent Seesaw incident where children logging into the school-provided Seesaw online tool saw pornography. She felt the district did not give enough detail to parents about what children were exposed to, noting that “inappropriate matter” had made its way onto the platform and not that it was pornography. She again points out that not enough is being done with the school’s internet and electronic systems to shield young children from content they should not see.

She also points out that the Marlowe library has numerous books flagged “LGBT” on the spine of the books, where it will be obvious to other students what material their classmates are reading and that the sticker is “literally calling attention to kids to say ‘pick me, pick me.’ If we genuinely had a child struggling with maybe they are something, maybe they aren’t, now everyone would know – and that’s not confidential. You guys are the ones that said we couldn’t celebrate Autism Awareness [Month] because we ‘didn’t want to out people,’ but now we have these stickers on there outing everybody.”

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 8/18/2022 D158 School Board Meeting below.

1:16: Mother shares experiences with the buses running late. Her children are being picked up at 7:15am, but the bus unload time at Heineman is 7:15am and the family lives 15 minutes from school. She called the administration, which told her “Until we hire more bus drivers, your kids will be late to school every day.” She finds this unacceptable, as her children miss at least 50 minutes of school each week.

1:19: Mother discusses CRT (Critical Race Theory) being taught to children under the guise of SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and how the SEL program collects personal data about students and families, effectively creating social credit scores for them.

She points out that on the first day of school, some children were also asked to fill out a form listing their pronouns, and at Conley Elementary, young students were asked to sing a song with their choice of pronouns in it. “I encourage this district to do their job to educate our children in core subjects like math, science, and reading, and leave sexuality, SEL, and CRT out of the classroom.”

1:22 – Mother shares her experience of receiving a form to allow her child to access the Young Adult section of the school library. She asked the teacher for a list of books in this section to make an informed decision for her child, and she was told that there is not a list of titles.

She then asked how, without the school having a list of the YA titles, she can be assured that her child will not access these books if she denies access? She was told that each book has a bar code that will beep if it is YA. “I began to wonder if the library computer can distinguish the young adult books from the other books in the library, then why am I being told there is no such list?”

1:24 – Mother reads a group statement from the D158 Parent Union regarding non-standard pronouns and allowing children to identify as a myriad of genders, identities, or animals while at school.  She points out that parents with older children who have since graduated from the district were not subjected to this nonsense and points out multiple “education trends” that were adopted by D158 and later discarded.

“None of this belongs in school. It’s just not the school’s role. Parents and students are being told to accept ideas and concepts that for many of us have little to no basis in the way we live our lives with our families, and also have little to no basis in the way you, yourselves were educated. What options are there for parents who do not want their children exposed to these ideologies? Has that even been considered?”

1:28 – Mother notes that she attended a Mandatory Reporter meeting today in which she was taught that anything told to a child under the guise of “having to be kept secret” is Grooming 101, yet the district is now asking children what they want to be called in school and being told that the school doesn’t have to tell your family.

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 7/21/2022 D158 School Board Meeting below.

1:10: Mother expresses dissatisfaction with special needs’ programs at school and failures to listen to parents’ concerns. She states that each month, the board “talks about how innovative and advanced our district is” and is “spending a ton of money on electric buses when the real needs in this district are being ignored. In reality, our kids are not the priority for this district. You’ve proven it over and over again with this latest choice of choosing shiny new optics versus the real needs.”

1:15: Mother reads group statement from the D158 Parent Union noting three main concerns raised by parents attending the Union’s July meeting. First, parents are much more concerned about the district losing focus on education over the push for electric buses and reads parent questions regarding the funds spent on them.

1:18: Parts two and three of D158 Parent Union statement: Parents are extremely concerned about the new sex ed standards and would like confirmation that they will not be taught in D158. Parents are also concerned about masking being reinstated for the first day of school in August with Covid cases in McHenry County reportedly being on the rise.

1:23: Dr. Rowe responds to the questions regarding sex ed saying that “our teachers create thoughtful lessons” and that parents can opt out of those lessons. Regarding masking, he is in favor of keeping that decision very local and states that “we are not in a place where that is a concern.

The D158 Parent Union appreciated Dr. Rowe addressing these concerns in such a timely manner during this meeting.

View the public comments and noteworthy statements from the 6/16/2022 D158 School Board Meeting below.

1:39: Mother expresses disappointment that the equity strategy ed meeting took place without mention of special needs or disabilities being included in the district’s equity. She is frustrated that parents are not feeling heard in IEP meetings.

She also points out that there has been discussion of the D158 RAD (Recognizing American Diversity) program being made mandatory to students to the point that they would be tested on the content. She reminds the board that during April, the RAD calendar featured an image of BSDM costumes and a link to information about the lifestyle as part of its Pride Month content, which many felt was inappropriate for students.