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Crete Monee board discusses 'statement of support' for bereaved families, members debate wording
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Summary
A board member proposed a written statement or 'resolution' to express board condolences at funerals; other members urged caution about religious language and legal separation and recommended an administrative, nonsectarian statement or procedure to maintain inclusivity.
During board updates, a member proposed that the board adopt a formal statement of support to present to families during funerals and memorials, after attending recent services.
"Worst case scenario, if we did have a resolution out and we're not able to read it out, I'll just be able to give it to, I believe, the father," the board member said, describing the intent as a gesture of recognition and community support rather than a policy change.
Other members questioned the use of the word "resolution," saying it may imply legal or procedural action or conflate religious ritual with board action. "I'm just questioning, like, if we can do that, like, I just wanna know how that works legally for separation," one member said, asking whether a resolution could cross lines regarding religion and public institutions.
Members suggested alternatives, including a generic administrative procedure or a neutral "statement of support" that would avoid religious language. One member suggested that, if warranted, they could prepare a board statement while keeping any explicitly spiritual content out of a district-produced document.
The proposer said they would work with another board member to draft text and bring it back for board consideration with the aim of unanimous support. No formal vote or policy was adopted at the meeting; the matter remained a planning item.
