logo
Waukegan D60 officials scrambling to keep up with Trump executive orders; ‘We remain dedicated to serving all students with fairness and care'

Waukegan D60 officials scrambling to keep up with Trump executive orders; ‘We remain dedicated to serving all students with fairness and care'

Chicago Tribune27-02-2025

Waukegan Community School District 60 officials are trying to determine the impact of some of the executive orders issued by President Donald Trump since he took office earlier this year.
One of the orders prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and any grants funding them, while another dealt with gender identity and a third involved school choice.
Superintendent Theresa Plascencia sent a message to the school community Monday in an effort to help calm any angst that has been created.
While letting the community know the district must obey the law, she said in the email the commitment to giving students the necessary support to succeed continues. This includes resources, programs and individualized support, 'consistent with the best educational practices.'
'This means that regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability or any other category protected by law, we remain dedicated to serving all students with fairness and care,' she wrote.
A discussion of the impact of Trump's executive orders by the District 60 Board of Education at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday at the Lincoln Center administration building in Waukegan was postponed because of court decisions hours earlier.
Board of Education President Brandon Ewing said when it was time for the report on Trump's executive orders and a discussion by board members, the situation may have changed making the report dated.
'We just received news in the span of 90 minutes three of those executive actions have been overturned by the courts,' Ewing said. 'We don't want to present inaccurate information. I don't want to pontificate without knowing.'
Plascencia said a report will be given at the next meeting on March 11. Ewing said a special meeting can be scheduled earlier if necessary. General Counsel Kathryn Vander Broek said more information was needed before a discussion.
'I prefer to hold everything until I see exactly what happened,' Vander Broek said at the meeting. 'The situation remains fluid, with court decisions impacting the implementation of executive orders,' she added in an email Wednesday.
In one of the first executive orders issued, all discriminatory programs, which include DEI, are to be eliminated and recipients of federal funds — the district receives federal funding for some programs — must certify compliance, according to the PowerPoint presentation prepared for the meeting.
Limited compliance guidance is available from federal or state agencies, according to the PowerPoint. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognizes protection against discrimination for a number of groups, including those related to race, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, pregnancy, arrest record, citizenships or military status.
Though grant funding may be at risk under the order, terminating grants to organizations in the private sector is now permanently enjoined by a recent court order, according to the PowerPoint. Investigations can still take place.
Under another order, federal policy, practices and guidelines will recognize only two sexes — male and female — according to the PowerPoint. Federal funds are also at risk for organizations that allow male participation in female sports, social transition or gender ideology
The Illinois High School Association, which governs prep sports in Illinois, allows 'participation with students by their gender identification,' according to its official policy. There are procedures an athlete must follow.
Plascencia said in an email Wednesday that while adapting to new legal requirements, a supportive learning environment for students will remain. The district will also continue to follow ISBE guidance on requirements to, 'ensure compliance at the state level.'
'While executive orders and federal policies continue to evolve, we work to interpret and implement these changes in a way that aligns with both our educational mission and legal obligations,' Plascencia wrote.
The board did unanimously reclassify three administrative positions Tuesday. The associate superintendent for equity, innovation and accountability, is now the associate superintendent for strategy and accountability. The director of equity and inclusion is now the director of student access and achievement. The manager of equity and inclusion is now the manager of student access and achievement.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

ABC News Drops Correspondent Terry Moran Over Anti-Trump Post
ABC News Drops Correspondent Terry Moran Over Anti-Trump Post

Bloomberg

time15 minutes ago

  • Bloomberg

ABC News Drops Correspondent Terry Moran Over Anti-Trump Post

By Updated on Save Walt Disney Co. 's ABC News division said it parted ways with Washington-based correspondent Terry Moran over comments he made on social media over the weekend about President Donald Trump and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Moran had been suspended after calling both Trump and Miller, a key player in the administration's immigration policy, a ' world class hater.' An immigration crackdown in Los Angeles has sparked protests in America's second-largest city, prompting the administration to send in federal troops.

Newsom goes scorched earth against Trump in address accusing prez of ‘brazen abuse of power'
Newsom goes scorched earth against Trump in address accusing prez of ‘brazen abuse of power'

New York Post

time17 minutes ago

  • New York Post

Newsom goes scorched earth against Trump in address accusing prez of ‘brazen abuse of power'

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ripped into President Trump Tuesday for a 'brazen abuse of power' by deploying troops to Los Angeles and claimed his political rival is intentionally causing ongoing chaos in the city. The Democratic governor heightened his feud with Trump during a Tuesday night address while pleading with protesters to remain peaceful as the city grapples with outright lawlessness and Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew in the downtown area to clamp down on rioting and looting. Anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstrations began last Friday in response to federal raids against illegal migrants in the West Coast city and quickly spiraled out of control – leading Trump to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops, and then 700 United States Marines over Newsom's objections. 3 Newsom issued a rebuke of Trump on Tuesday night. AP 'This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers, and even our National Guard at risk,' Newsom argued. 'That's when the downward spiral began. He doubled down on his dangerous National Guard deployment by fanning the flames even harder. And the president, he did it on purpose.' Newsom insisted while there was violence when protests first erupted, local authorities largely had the situation under control before Trump stepped in. Trump's actions spurred unrest and placed 'theatrics over public safety,' the left gov. claimed. Newsom has filed legal actions to stop the controversial deployment. While Newsom was issuing a defiant rebuke against Trump, the president vowed to 'liberate' Los Angeles while delivering a speech at Fort Bragg Tuesday. 3 Broken glass lies on the floor of a cannabis store after it was looted in LA. REUTERS He said the federal government would 'use every asset at our disposal to quell violence and restore law and order.' The two have been lobbing attacks at each other since the weekend as Los Angeles has faced a mix of fiery protests, looting, vandalism and clashes with police. Newsom stressed authorities have already arrested more than 200 people and are looking to take more into custody. 3 The rioting has led to a curfew in part of the city. Toby Canham for NY Post He pleaded with protesters not to turn to violence. 'If you incite violence – and I want to be clear about this – if you incite violence or destroy our communities, you're going to be held to account. That type of criminal behavior will not be tolerated, full stop.' With Post wires

Jack Ciattarelli wins NJ Republican primary for NJ governor, AP projects
Jack Ciattarelli wins NJ Republican primary for NJ governor, AP projects

Yahoo

time31 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Jack Ciattarelli wins NJ Republican primary for NJ governor, AP projects

TRENTON - Jack Ciattarelli, the Trump-endorsed former state assemblymember, wins the Republican primary race for New Jersey governor, AP projects. Ciattarelli will fight to flip New Jersey red in the November election to replace incumbent Gov. Phil Murphy. Because the New Jersey gubernatorial race is one of the first major elections since Donald Trump's return to the White House, there's a tremendous amount at stake simply through public perception. This is a breaking news update. Watch live election coverage in the media player above, and stay with us as this story develops. Jack Ciattarelli, a moderate establishment figure in the Republican field, is making his third bid for New Jersey governor. Ciattarelli, a former member of the state's Assembly, initially ran for the New Jersey Governor's office in 2017 – he came in second place in the Republican Party gubernatorial primary, with 31% of the vote. His second attempt in 2021 proved more successful; Ciattarelli won the Republican Party gubernatorial primary, but lost the general election to incumbent Murphy. He received 48% of the vote to Murphy's 51%. In his third run, he received an endorsement from President Trump, even though he's received accusations of being a "never-Trumper" from the party's far right. His campaign focused on New Jersey's affordability crisis – his plan includes capping property taxes at 1% of a home's assessed value and reducing state spending by 30%. Ciattarelli has pledged to end New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive on his first day in office, allowing local police to cooperate with federal officials on civil immigration matters. He also plans to direct the attorney general to cease lawsuits against the Trump administration. In an NJ Now interview, Ciattarelli expressed willingness to work with President Trump while maintaining the ability to oppose policies detrimental to the state.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store