Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 welcomed families back for the 2024-25 school year with a written statement of commitment to creating an inclusive environment at the school following numerous accusations of antisemitism during last school year.
In an email titled, “Our Commitment to an Inclusive Environment,” sent to district families on Aug. 13, two days before the start of the school year, Supt. Greg Johnson reiterated the district commitment to “fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.”
“Expressions of hate are not tolerated at OPRF,” Johnson said in the letter. “We respect our students’ First Amendment protections for freedom of expression. At the same time, we also have a duty to protect our educational environment.”
The district came under fire from local parents, students, teachers and community members for allegedly mishandling complaints stemming from balancing messaging, activities and interests of both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel students and teachers.
“Every single individual, without exception, deserves to feel respected, valued, and supported in our school,” Johnson said in the letter.
The complaints and criticism came in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
In late June, more than 100 people filed a complaint against D200 and three teachers with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
The letters alleged the three teachers “demonstrated unprofessional conduct as well as promoted and condoned antisemitic statements and/or acts.”
The Middle Eastern and North Africa Club advisors were also listed. The claims said they “endorsed the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel” and promoted a “one-sided viewpoint” in the classroom, posted “antisemitic” posts on social media, and sold T-shirts depicting the entire outline of Israel next to the word ‘Palestine,’ symbolizing the elimination of the State of Israel.”
Oak Park parent Nate Mellman previously told Wednesday Journal that he, along with community members, attended multiple board of education meetings, but that there was “virtually no remedial action” taken by the district.
Claims of antisemitism and lack of response from the district were also mentioned in the resignation letter of Michael Soffer, a veteran history teacher at OPRF, who resigned this summer.
In the letter obtained by Wednesday Journal, Soffer said despite numerous conversations with administrators, the district did not address his concerns.
Johnson addressed complaints at the July 11 special D200 board meeting, saying the district remained “steadfast” in its efforts to balance the rights of all through advice from community and religious leaders as well as legal counsel.
In the Aug. 13 letter, Johnson spoke about how the Israel-Hamas war has escalated and brought concerns that Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism and antisemitism were disrupting the school environment.
Johnson acknowledged the complaints and concerns raised in the letter, saying he wanted to be “very clear” as the district community returned for the school year.
“At no point will we tolerate hate or actions that interfere with our ability to [protect the educational environment],” Johnson said. “OPRF will continue to investigate and respond to all complaints in accordance with Board policy and the guidelines from the Office of Civil Rights.”
What has been done
According to Johnson, during this past year, the district has:
- Adopted guidelines from the Office of Civil Rights to inform investigations into hate speech/incidents.
- Provided faculty with guidelines and resources for teaching about controversial topics.
- Conducted professional development for administrators to effectively support teams.
- Held dozens of meetings to hear and learn from students, faculty and staff, along with parents, community members and local religious and community leaders.
Efforts still to come
As the new school year kicks off, Johnson said the district would continue to take steps to improve, which include:
- Engaging with Convergence, a nonprofit that will hold community conversations to “build trust and bridge divides to solve critical challenges and strengthen our democracy and society.”
- Continue to mandate cultural competence and racial bias training for employees.
- Provide social media training for staff to ensure professionalism and anti-bias on the platforms.
- Establish guidelines for clubs and activities.
- Training for staff on harassment.
Johnson also encourages students to use the district’s reporting tool or speak with a trusted staff member if they experience any “acts of hate.”
In an Aug. 14 letter addressed to Johnson and the D200 Board of Education, which was provided to Wednesday Journal by Mellman, he said the district’s response was “disappointing in many respects.”
Mellman said despite asking the district to define antisemitism numerous times, the district has not done so, instead choosing to link to the U.S Department of Education Office of Civil Rights fact sheet.
Mellman also stated that the district did not seek input from local Jewish organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League, despite their efforts to assist the district.
Karin Sullivan, executive director of communications for D200, said the district came to the decision to work with Convergence following “dozens of meetings” Johnson had with Jewish parents, students, staff and community members, including local rabbis, and representatives of Jewish organizations during a 10-month period.
“A variety of perspectives were shared in these meetings, not all of them in agreement,” Sullivan told Wednesday Journal on Aug. 29. “Given Convergence’s expertise in building trust and bridging divides around complex, contentious issues, we’re confident that their process will help move us toward our ultimate goal: Creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, where differences are respected.”
Mellman, whose previous letters have garnered community support, asked for the district to release more information regarding the adopted guidelines for extracurricular clubs and activities as well as the guidelines provided for teaching controversial topics. He also asked for more information on the plan for professional development and what type of social media training will be provided for employees.
According to Mellman, two teachers named in the complaints that were filed with the state wore MENA apparel that allegedly depicted the “elimination of the State of Israel” during the first staff day of the new school year, then posted on the club’s Instagram page regarding the selling merchandise.
“One of the examples OCR cites of contemporary examples of antisemitism is ‘denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination,’” Mellman said in the letter addressed to district administration. “Wearing clothing that depicts the elimination of the State of Israel is just that. The OCR guidance that you say you follow just doesn’t ring true. They are just empty words.”
In the letter, Johnson said this is an “opportunity” for the district to deepen their commitment to fostering a safe and supportive climate.
“This important work is not done,” Johnson said in the letter. “It may never be ‘done.’ We will persist.”
