Public commenter urges strengthened anti-bullying and support for LGBTQ students amid national rhetoric

Shaughnessy Ashdown, a long‑time Downers Grove resident and volunteer with Youth Outlook, used public comment time to commend the district’s bystander training and press the board to prioritize anti‑bullying efforts and supports for LGBTQ and gender‑diverse students.

Ashdown said she was “really happy to hear about the bystander training” and described increased fear among students following national political rhetoric. She cited a report that The Trevor Project experienced a 700 percent increase in calls after the presidential inauguration and said transgender and gender‑diverse students were especially vulnerable.

Ashdown also expressed concern about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near schools, saying she had heard of an elementary school on Chicago’s South Side that had been visited by ICE. She said such actions can be traumatic for children and can increase absenteeism. Ashdown closed by saying she had heard reports that special‑education funding could face large cuts.

Board members acknowledged Ashdown’s comments and previously discussed bystander training in the district’s discipline work and restorative practices. The transcript shows staff and trustees described bystander training as a relatively new district effort that will continue and noted the district’s work with restorative‑practice consultants and parent–teacher advisory groups.