Teachers and parents say District 211 EL services fell short after ISBE findings
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Summary
A resident and group of teachers told the Township High School District 211 board that prior warnings about English Learner (EL) programming were ignored, citing an ISBE audit that found nine violations and alleging a district-wide cut in EL instruction; the board asked administration for a follow-up report.
Patty Marasco, a resident and former District 211 parent, told the Township High School District 211 board that she and dozens of teachers previously raised detailed concerns about English Learner (EL) programming that went unaddressed. "The administration instead placed the blame on teachers and proceeded to cut EL instruction by more than 60% across the district," Marasco said, and she reported that an Illinois State Board of Education audit later identified nine violations, including one civil‑rights finding.
Marasco said the district removed bilingual staff positions in the past year — including a Ukrainian teacher, a Spanish‑speaking social studies teacher and a Spanish‑speaking science teacher — and that some campuses now staff bilingual science sections with two educators in the same room, one of whom functions mainly as a translator. "To have not addressed any of the multitude of concerns and pretend to be shocked when ISBE finds separate violations… should be of great concern to the board," she said.
Superintendent Dr. Judith Campbell acknowledged the concerns and the request for more information. The board later asked administration to compile and share an update on the EL program and where gaps remain; Dr. Campbell said staff would gather information and "we will definitely have it within the week to share." Several board members also invited colleagues to visit classrooms to observe EL instruction firsthand.
Board members signaled interest in follow‑up rather than immediate action. A board member asked the administration to provide clarity about whether reductions in EL services were required by state guidance; Dr. Campbell and staff noted they work with state officials on EL programming and committed to assembling the relevant documents and timelines for the board.
The board did not take formal action on program changes at the meeting. Members asked that administration provide a clear summary of past complaints, the district’s response, the ISBE findings, staffing changes and proposed next steps before the board’s December meeting.
