D204 boundary plan segregates low-income students
It is in vogue for school districts to espouse how they value equity. Indian Prairie School District 204 in Naperville/Aurora is no different. But their redrawing of the district’s boundaries shows that equity is furthest from their mind.
D204 has a district low-income percentage population of 17%. In the latest map proposed by the D204 administration, they recommend an increase in the low-income percentage at Gombert Elementary School from 35% low-income to 51% low-income. That is three times the district average. They are further segregating the school by income. This is not valuing equity.
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Currently, Georgetown Elementary School is 59% low-income students. That is more than three times the district average. This is not valuing equity.
D204 is the fourth largest unit school district in the state of Illinois. The more schools a district has, the easier it is to balance varying demographics.
Out of the top five largest unit school districts, D204 has the lowest number of low-income students. Yet the district is purposefully segregating students by income. This is the exact opposite of equity. They are going backwards, not forwards.
Alisha Smith, Aurora
2021 has been a productive legislative year, rep says
Over the past year, I have been fortunate to serve as the 41st District’s state representative, and I am extremely grateful to have been trusted with this opportunity. While our community has faced challenges during this time, I know we will always be stronger when we listen to one another and work together.
During my time, I worked on the bills that you told me were important to you: We passed landmark legislation on everything from telehealth medicine to environmental protections. We fortified our state’s financial house, garnering multiple credit rating upgrades and saving hundreds of millions of dollars in interest payments. We have set the foundation for Illinois to be the nation’s hub for electric vehicle production, bringing thousands of new jobs to Illinois.
I’ve also tapped into the lessons I learned serving on the Naperville District 203 School Board. Student health and safety must be a priority, so I worked with students at Naperville Central High School on a new law to support student mental health. We need to keep working together to eliminate bullying and address the root causes of school shootings and violence.
I would not have been successful in these endeavors without the many thoughtful community members who attended my community events. I learned so much from those who brought their experiences and expertise to discuss what more our community can do to move our state forward.
There is still much more work to be done. I commit to keep working with our community to bring about positive changes that will improve our economy, fight climate change, and secure a better and brighter future for all.
I wish everyone a happy holiday season and encourage anyone with ideas to contact my office by visiting www.RepYangRohr.com. Stay safe and stay well.
State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, D-Naperville
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