By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINIGTON – Parents, teachers, students, and even former students– all shared their concerns over district policies at the Unit 5 school board meeting Wednesday night.
About 200 people attended the district’s two hour meeting with majority of the meeting consisting of public comments.
Frustrations ranged from sex and race curriculum in the classroom to mask mandates.
“We had a lot of articulate, passionate people speak about their beliefs and what they think. As a superintendent and school board, we listen to everyone,” said Unit 5 superintendent Kristen Weikle.
A bill awaiting Governor JB Pritzker’s signature, will require sex education to be taught at all grade levels.
Some commenters told the board some kids are too young for comprehensive sex education.
Unit 5 graduate Cameron Hurley spoke at the meeting, advocating for inclusive sex education for LGBTQIA+ students and critical race theory in classrooms.
Hurley said such education would have made them feel safer.
“In a comprehensive [education] that includes all students would definitely benefit so that whatever pertains to you, you can get the benefit of that,” Hurley said. ” I never had that in my home life and that’s why it would’ve been important to me to learn those things at school.”
Weikle said right now, Unit 5 does not teach comprehensive sex education at the elementary level.
She said the State Board of Education still has to set the standards for what is taught in each classroom.
“Our interpretation of the legislation is even once the state comes up with the standards, there will be some school district choice,” Weikle said. “Parents will have the option to opt out of that based on the current language from the legislation.”
As for masks, they are still required by the state.
Weikle also said critical race theory is not being taught at Unit 5 schools. Instead, there will be an elective multi-cultural studies course for high-school students.
“This is really a course that will expose kids to a variety of cultures while still also promoting critical thinking.”
The next board meeting is set for July 22.
Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at News@WJCB.com.
