Naperville 203 is not teaching Critical Race Theory. However, we are examining our policies, practices, systems, decisions, and outcomes with an equity lens that includes but is not limited to racial/ethnic, gender, class, and other types of demographic lenses. We do not make any assumptions that our policies, practices, systems, decisions, and outcomes are inherently inequitable, but we want to make sure they are not. 

Often confused, but not the same, the Illinois State Board of Education has approved Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards which is best practice for educators and is not content standards for students. Culturally responsive teaching - sometimes referred to as CRT as well - is a student-centered approach to education. CRT is relevant and meaningful to students’ cultures and daily life as a vehicle for teaching content. We aim for our curriculum, instruction, and supporting materials to be representative of, accessible to, and meaningfully engage our diverse student population which will enhance school experiences and learning outcomes for all students.

We have received questions regarding Donna Wandke having a conflict of interest as she serves as the chief of staff to Janet Rohr Yang, a former Board member who recently became a state legislator. This letter explains our legal counsel's conclusion that Ms. Wandke would not have a conflict of interest.

On August 17, 2020, the Naperville 203 Board of Education passed a resolution affirming the authority of the superintendent to implement a Return to Learn plan for the 2020-2021 school year. This was drafted under authority given by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Board’s primary function is to hire and evaluate the superintendent, and it is the responsibility of the Superintendent to run the operations of the District. Any changes made to our learning model are done so in consultation with the Board during presentations at Board of Education meetings so Board members can ask questions and provide feedback.

We are deeply saddened by the financial hardships many in our community are feeling because of the economic devastation brought on by the pandemic.  Property taxes comprise the largest source of revenue for Naperville 203 and one of the very few over which the Board of Education has control.  Property taxes in Naperville 203, like all districts in the Chicagoland area, are subject to the tax cap law which limits the annual increase to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.  The limit is intended to slow the growth of revenues when property values and assessments are increasing faster than the rate of inflation.

The annual tax levy provides funding for the District’s primary mission to provide quality education and to meet its operational needs and commitments, primarily labor contracts.  Costs incurred by the District, such as salary, insurance, energy, supplies, and contractual services must be contained within available revenue.  The State and federal governments also mandate several operational programs that they do not fully fund but represent financial commitments to the district that must be met

The Board of Education has taken a number of actions over the past four years to reduce the tax burden.  The tax rate is estimated to go down in next year’s tax bills, and since 2017, the Board has abated over $20 million of debt payments from the annual levy and plans to continue to do annually for the foreseeable future.  Under the tax cap law, a reduction in the request this year for tax amounts statutorily permitted represents lost annual revenue forever.

As Naperville 203 makes decisions based on guidance from state and local public health officials, we also consult both our insurance carriers and legal experts.  Injuries due to any COVID exposure have been excluded by insurance carriers and insurance pools throughout the country, including the insurance pool in which the District participates. As a result, Naperville 203 has no liability coverage for any potential COVID-related lawsuits.  While there are state tort liability laws that help mitigate any exposure to the District, that protection is dependent on the District following appropriate guidelines and taking reasonable precautions.