Antiwar group called a nuisance at Elgin High

A problem members of Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice thought was resolved in 2008 has resurfaced yet again at Elgin High School.

Bettina Perillo, a South Elgin resident and member of the group, spoke Monday to members of the school board for Elgin Area School District U-46, urging them to allow the organization’s presence as a counterpoint to military recruiters in high schools.

Perillo said she was told by Elgin High School administrators in March to stop giving out negative information about the military, including media articles, information from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a copy of the military contract.

Perillo said she distributes information to several U-46 high schools but has had problems only with Elgin High School.

“It is in the best interest of students to have as much information as possible before making such an important decision,” Perillo said to the board. “Especially when we are involved in three wars.”

Five others lent their support to Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice and the group’s cause in schools by speaking at Monday’s meeting.

Iraq War veteran Melvin Lyons called himself a youth advocate and community activist during his statement. He said he used to stand at the military recruitment tables but now travels the region, trying to educate youth about the untold side of military life.

Lyons said keeping groups like Perillo’s out of the recruitment events leaves students with an imbalance in their information.

“By taking these recruitment tables out of the school system and still allowing the recruiters to be in that system, we rob a lot of youth of the knowledge that could make or break the decision about what their future careers will be,” Lyons said.

After the 2008 issue, a procedure was put in place by U-46 officials about recruiter guidelines. Patrick Broncato, chief legal officer for the district, said U-46 must allow military recruiters because of No Child Left Behind guidelines. Other recruiters defined by the procedure include organizations with information for high school students about schools, apprenticeships, scholarships and other postsecondary opportunities.

The procedure restricts recruiters from creating a “nuisance that interferes with students’ peaceful enjoyment of school activities,” something the Fox Valley group has been accused of, according to Perillo.

Broncato said he was not aware of the most recent problem at Elgin High but said it is something he will follow up on.