Give D15 parents a better seat at table

Emotions have been running high among parents in Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15 for the past year, as the controversy over whether to impose a late start or early release for CCSD 15 students to accommodate teacher training and enrichment time during the school day has raged on.

As I followed the events of the past year, I could not understand why those who control so many aspects our kids’ education seemed to disregard the health, safety, and quality of life of CCSD 15 students who would be adversely affected by the proposed schedule changes.

However, after much calmer reflection, I realized that while I cannot control the outcome of the arbitration, I can do something to make sure that we do not find ourselves in such a long standing, divisive battle again.

The CCSD 15 school board and the Classroom Teachers Council have a working relationship that we hope, at its best protects the health and safety of students, while uplifting educational quality and at the same time guaranteeing rights and protections to teachers that allow them to perform their jobs confidently and effectively.

But as this experience has taught us, the most important, and vulnerable constituency — our kids — did not have a seat at the table when the most recent contract between the board and the CTC was drafted, although they were all impacted by it. And as a CCSD 15 parent, I would like to respectfully request that in future matters that impact the health, safety and quality of life of our children, we parents get a seat at that table to represent them.

So, I challenge the CCSD Board to create a Parent Advisory Council, to be consulted on matters of health, safety and quality of life of CCSD 15 students and families. What do you say?

Sandy Wiles

Palatine