Libertyville — During the Program & Personnel Committee meeting on Sept. 8, a large group of parents, staff and residents took the public‑comment period to press opposing views about District 128’s gender support guidelines. No formal board action or vote took place during the committee meeting; commenters addressed the committee during the allotted public‑comment period.
Supporters: Several parents and community members urged the district to retain and enforce its gender support and inclusion guidance. Jill Kreller, who identified herself as a parent and a mental‑health professional specializing in complex trauma, said those policies “save lives,” describing higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among transgender youth and arguing inclusion reduces harm. Rebecca Gables, a parent of two recent graduates, told the committee she supports the district’s equity and inclusion policies and cited the Illinois Human Rights Act and guidance from the Illinois High School Association and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals as relevant legal context.
Opponents and concerns raised: Other speakers criticized the district’s implementation of the gender‑support measures and alleged specific incidents. Marnie Navarro, who identified herself as a District 128 taxpayer, lawyer and incoming parent, told the committee she believes the district’s policies “violate federal law” and alleged an adult was allowed in a girls’ locker room; she contended the district has prioritized diversity/DEI initiatives over academic outcomes and cited declines on state report cards and concerns about IEP services. Several speakers asked that parents be notified in advance of instances they described as adults accessing spaces used by students.
Committee response and context: The committee chair and staff did not take policy votes during the public‑comment period. Committee members and staff reminded the audience that public comment is separate from agenda action items; several commenters acknowledged they were speaking during public comment rather than during a specific agenda matter. The committee did not announce any immediate changes to district policy at the Sept. 8 meeting.
What is not asserted here: The article reports claims made during the public comment and does not validate or refute factual allegations about specific incidents. Navarro and others alleged particular events; district officials did not vote or issue a definitive factual finding about those allegations during the committee meeting. The transcript contains strong, conflicting testimony; any legal conclusions or inquiries by the district are outside the scope of this meeting record.