At the Village of Glen Ellyn’s September 13, 2021 Trustees’ meeting, community members and representatives of Glen Ellyn School District 41 presented concerns about the health and safety of students on their way to Forest Glen School in the morning. The concerns arose out of interactions between anti-mask protestors and students crossing at the intersection of Main and Elm Streets to get to the School. The Trustees committed to address promptly the concerns presented by the community members and the School District.
Over several days, Village and School officials met and came to a consensus on steps to be taken to protect the students while respecting the First Amendment rights of the protestors. In summary, the steps are:
- The Village will increase the visible presence of the police officers and continue to provide two crossing guards when the protestors are present and students are coming to school. This includes recognition of the importance of a reasonable separation between the students and the protestors. Adjustments to the level of Village services may be made as circumstances warrant in consultation with the District.
- Efforts have and will continue to be made by the Village to work with the protestors and by the District to work with community members to minimize interactions and disruptions.
- Processes for Village receipt and review of community concerns and complaints and of reports from the District and police officers will be established. Village and District officials will communicate frequently to identify and address problems.
- The Village will prepare to implement a temporary student crossing at Main and Oak. The temporary crossing will be implemented if the Village Administrator and the Superintendent determine that the first three steps are not successful in addressing the community and District concerns over the crossing at Main and Elm.
- The Village President will call a special meeting, if requested by the School Board President, to address any unresolved problems with the implementation of a temporary crossing at Main and Oak and/or to continue hearing from the community if the problems at Main and Elm continue.
The Village and the District appreciate the cooperation shown to each other to make their best efforts to address the concerns expressed by the community while respecting the First Amendment rights of the protestors. The Village and the District believe that these steps will significantly resolve the concerns, but, if not, they will continue to work together to find additional solutions.
Dr. Robert Bruno, President Board of Education Mr. Mark Senak, President Board of Trustees
Glen Ellyn School District 41 Village of Glen Ellyn