Lake County Gazette

A letter signed by “Concerned Parents of Lake Forest” question the direction of Lake Forest High School.

Among the items under concern included in the letter are declining academic achievement in the school, unsatisfactory financial management, and the inclusion of “Divisive, Destructive Woke Ideology.” The letter provides several ways the school can respond to the problems it is experiencing. 

“In response to the serious issues facing Lake Forest High School, we believe four important steps are necessary, and we outline them below. We hope this might begin an open, free-flowing, spirited exchange of ideas in the community,” the letter reads. 

“1. First and foremost, the District 115 administration and Board must refocus on the LFHS’ core educational mission. This means prioritizing instruction in math, science, reading, writing, and world languages above all else. The clear emphasis of our curriculum, teaching, and programming must be on delivering a first-rate education in core academic subjects and closing the student achievement gap. Boosting student proficiency scores would be one way to measure success.” 

“2. The administration and Board – the stewards of the taxpayer dollars entrusted to the District – must improve financial performance immediately and regain the community’s confidence. We cannot continue to increase spending at the rate we’ve seen in recent years. We cannot continue to outspend comparable school districts yet produce inferior student achievement scores. We cannot continue to support a bloated District administration; it must be right-sized quickly and brought into line with other comparable districts. In general, the District must start using its considerable resources more wisely, efficiently, and effectively.” 

“3. The scope of the proposed LFHS building improvements and $105.7 MM bond issuance must be scaled back. It simply isn’t realistic to expect District families and taxpayers to pony up such an enormous sum of money when (a) the District’s annual budget has ballooned in recent years, and the District is, by almost every measure, already one of the most generously funded school districts in Illinois; (b) LFHS is struggling with academic achievement, both on an absolute and relative basis, and addressing this must be our top priority; (c) there is good reason to believe that the District administration needs to be rationalized; (d) an outstanding balance still remains due and owing on the District’s last bond issuance; and (e) families have been hit by surging inflation and borrowing costs, and we are all staring down the barrel of a possible economic recession. Resources, even in a very fortunate community such as ours, are not unlimited. District leadership needs to think long and hard about its physical building plan, and engage in an exercise of ruthless prioritization. Come back with a plan that addresses the most pressing needs. Nice-to-haves must wait.”

“4. The role of a school is not to indoctrinate politically or to push rote learning of boring, pessimistic, divisive political ideologies. Schools should be focused on opening kids’ minds to the wonders of the world and to learning; on sparking curiosity and creativity; and on teaching kids how to think critically and independently. A good school is a place where rigorous pedagogy, critical thinking, and free and open discussion are the norm; where students of all backgrounds feel safe and valued; and where diversity of opinions, perspectives, and views is celebrated and protected. Accordingly, we recommend in the strongest possible terms that the District 115 administration and Board take proactive steps to ensure that controversial, divisive, activist, political ideologies and agendas (BLM, CRT, DEI, “anti-racism,” social justice, etc.) are kept completely out of LFHS’ curriculum, pedagogy, grading, discipline, and overall mission.” 

According to a report on individual school districts across the state, the Illinois education system is characterized by poor results, high taxes, and little to no accountability. In Lake Forest CHSD 115, only 61 percent of students are proficient in reading, and 64 percent are proficient in math. Asian students obtained the highest reading proficiency rate at 82 percent, White students at 62 percent, and Hispanic students at 49 percent. There is no data available for Black students. Regardless of these low proficiency rates, the graduation rate is at  98 percent with all teachers rated as proficient. Property tax revenues have increased by 23 percent since 2010, while home values have decreased, and student enrollment has dropped by 14 percent. Spending per student has also increased by 33 percent from $21,931 to $29,174 in 2021.

A referendum to issue $105,700,000 school building bonds narrowly passed in the April 4 election with 3,861 “yes” votes and 3,734 “no” votes.

“Shall the Board of Education of Lake Forest Community High School District Number 115, Lake County, Illinois, alter, repair, renovate and equip the existing Lake Forest High School facilities, including constructing security improvements and installing access controls, replacing portions of roofs, plumbing and electrical systems, renovating science labs, classrooms and other instructional spaces, updating instructional technology, improving heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, increasing accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and improving and equipping sites, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $105,700,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?” The referendum question reads.

CRT has prompted a nationwide conversation about the role of race and racism in schools. CRT is a school of thought that focuses on how racial minorities are affected by power structures and institutions. Critics claim that the system encourages racism. Paul Rossi, a mathematics teacher and writer, compared a lesson plan prepared by two teachers at the school to how cults "turn the unsuspecting against the outside world," Chicago City Wire reported.