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Update on District 97's Draft Equity Policy; Community Engagement Plan Scheduled to Launch in April

The District 97 Board of Education is currently in the process of creating a policy that will not only formalize its steadfast commitment to equity but also guide the work being done by the schools and district on a daily basis to help every student learn, grow and achieve. The next step in this process will be to engage the community in a dialogue about the policy in an effort to:

  • Educate the residents of Oak Park about why the district is pursuing an equity policy, and what it hopes to accomplish through its creation and implementation
  • Answer questions about the policy (e.g., purpose, goals, etc.)
  • Get feedback about how best to ensure that the policy accurately reflects and effectively addresses the needs of all children

In order to help ensure that people have ample time and opportunity to participate in this process, the board has charged its Committee for Community Engagement (CCE) with the responsibility of developing and executing a comprehensive community engagement plan. While the CCE is still working on the specifics of this plan, it will feature a variety of ways in which you can voice your thoughts and opinions on this critical issue over a three-month period (April through June). Additional information about the plan and how you can get involved in the process will be shared with the community later this month.

In the meantime, the board and CCE are seeking individuals or groups that may want to help with outreach activities. They are particularly interested in making sure that everyone in the community has an equal and equitable chance to take part in this process. If you have questions or need more information about how you can help, please contact Lou Anne Johannesson at [email protected].  

Thank you very much for your time and attention to this important matter, and for your continued support of our schools and the more than 6,000 children we serve.