Families deserve stability

As a long-time North Chicago resident, a mother of five, and the Board President of the North Chicago Library, I care deeply about the future of our children and this community. My three oldest went through District 187, and when they got to college, I realized they weren’t prepared. That’s why I moved my fourth child to LEARN 6. She thrived there — got involved in the arts, went on to Wayland Academy, and is now a senior at the University of Illinois studying hospitality, and making me so proud. My youngest has been at LEARN 10 since kindergarten. He’s in fifth grade now, and I see the same strong foundation being built for him.

For families like mine, LEARN schools mean stability and opportunity. LEARN 6 and 10 serve 800 students — one-third of the district’s K-8 enrollment — and both schools have waitlists. Parents want this choice because it works. Our children are learning, thriving and preparing for bright futures.

What’s frustrating is how LEARN families are treated by the district. Our schools aren’t even listed on the District 187 website, as if they don’t exist. Meanwhile, the board has yet to approve the terms of LEARN’s charter renewal, leaving families uncertain about the future. That is a disservice to hundreds of children who deserve consistency in their education.

Parents should have the right to choose the best school for their children — and when we make that choice, we should be supported, not sidelined. LEARN has been in North Chicago for 13 years. They are not going anywhere. But our children need District 187’s partnership, not resistance.

It’s time to finalize a fair charter agreement during Tuesday’s D187 Board Meeting so families can move forward with confidence and know that all of North Chicago’s students are being treated fairly.

Jeanette Allen

North Chicago

LEARN 10 Parent, PTO President and board president of the North Chicago Library