Political motives are behind assault on schools

If you've paid any attention to recent school board meetings, you might have noticed that the GOP has declared war on public education. Last year, previously mundane meetings became plagued by public comments demanding schools reopen and ranting against COVID mitigation strategies. Many chalked this newfound interest in public education up as a temporary response to stresses placed on families trying to navigate remote learning. However, the vitriol found its new home in waging a war against critical race theory, LGBTQ+ rights and sex education leaving many to wonder - what is the end game?

The answer lies in a recent Facebook post made by Jack Lombardi, GOP candidate for the 16th Illinois congressional district: "Perhaps it's about time to abolish government run schools." The new tactics appear to be aimed at draining public education resources.

Districts that once saw a handful of FOIA requests a year are now dedicating countless hours and resources responding to an influx of requests. In some districts, parents are attempting to bring costly litigation and filing questionable claims of legal violations, forcing districts to spend countless taxpayer dollars dealing with them.

In the last month, there have been multiple direct attacks on teachers, school nurses, staff and board members. In Glen Ellyn, a teacher was harassed for socilal media posts about her inclusive teaching practices.

Teachers are burned out. Administrators and nurses are growing tired of being screamed at daily when they call parents to tell them their children must quarantine. It's hard to imagine anyone wanting to work in public education when they are subjected to these kinds of abuses, and perhaps that is the point.

We must ask ourselves, how long will we let this continue?

Sarah Campagna

Lombard