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District 15 parents say email notice insufficient after announced dual-language changes
Summary
A group of dual-language parents told the board they learned of planned changes to the Winston and Jane Addams programs via a single email and seek clearer communication and answers about program impacts for students and siblings.
Parents of students in District 15’s dual‑language program told the school board on Feb. 18 they received limited notice about changes affecting the Winston and Jane Addams bilingual programs and said the single email announcement left families confused and worried about sibling placement and transportation.
Rick Saint Joseph, who identified himself as a dual‑language parent with two students at Winston Campus, said the first communication many families received was an email sent Jan. 31 and that not all families saw or understood that message. “One email and one meeting does not seem sufficient enough,” he told the board. Saint Joseph said the announced changes will leave Jane Addams temporarily without certain grades and that Winston families expect classroom and bus differences for siblings as modifications roll out.
Saint Joseph said some parents feel the decisions were not fully considered before the November referendum and that the program’s configuration was not raised in public forums he had expected. “Why did this happen in secrecy?” he asked, citing a lack of earlier planning documents in the board minutes and in dual‑language parent committee meetings.
Superintendent Michelle Hines and district staff later acknowledged ongoing communication and follow‑up measures in the superintendent’s report. Hines said district staff will meet with affected families and administrators and that dual‑language program staffing and allocations are part of broader budget and staffing discussions. The district plans a parent meeting on Feb. 24 for additional questions, according to the presentation.
No formal policy change or vote was taken at the meeting. Parents said they expect further clarification from the district at the Feb. 24 call and through follow‑up meetings.
Speakers at the meeting requested clearer timelines, details on which grades and buildings would be affected in which school years, and assurances about sibling transportation. Board members and staff did not announce final decisions at the Feb. 18 meeting.
