Several residents used the District 211 public-comment period to raise concerns about instructional materials and staff discipline. "We went after books that we thought… were very, very pornographic," said James Pittman, pastor of New Hope Community Church, who cited the book Jack of Hearts as an example.

Pittman and other speakers said their complaints about certain titles led them to attend board meetings in past years and that some community members believe staff who criticize district practices have been punished. "Take, for example, former Palatine High School teacher Jeannie Hejpath, who was fired as a result of questioning social justice on her own personal Facebook page," Pittman said.

Justin O'Rourke, an organizer with a local mental-health group, urged the board to focus on academic proficiency as well as the wellbeing of students, saying the community should address low test scores and student mental-health needs instead of directing large efforts at targeting individual students.

Speakers did not cite a specific board action on curriculum or personnel at the meeting. No motion or vote regarding instructional material review or staff discipline was recorded in the public session. Commenters were encouraged to follow up with the superintendent or the board by email.