Wheaton, Illinois – Concerned parents gathered at a high school in the west suburban area, expressing worries over recent violent fights on school grounds. The incidents prompted them to bring their apprehensions to the attention of the Wheaton/Warrenville School District 200 Board. District leaders acknowledged the issue and mentioned implementing changes in response to the concerns raised.
Following a specific fight in a school bathroom at Wheaton Warrenville South High School that resulted in charges, adjustments were made to bathroom policies and hall pass procedures. However, students and parents believed these changes to be reactive rather than proactive in addressing the underlying issues leading to violence within the school environment.
Emphasizing their support for victims of domestic violence, parents clad in purple gathered outside Wheaton Warrenville South, symbolically planting flags on the school lawn to represent disciplinary incidents from the previous year. Amy Erkenswick, a parent, highlighted the lack of effective communication with school leadership regarding discipline issues, echoing a shared sentiment among the concerned parents.
A pivotal moment was reached when a student sustained injuries during a high school bathroom altercation on February 28, with video footage of the incident circulating online. Parents, like Rachel Padron, expressed bewilderment at the circumstances that led students to resort to violence towards their peers. Despite increased supervision and changes to bathroom policies, students felt that the measures did not effectively address the root causes of violence in the school.
Students, including senior Nicolas Graham, voiced their concerns about the restrictive measures being reactive rather than proactive in preventing violence. The sentiment was echoed by Amy Erkenswick post-meeting, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable solutions beyond simply limiting bathroom access. Additionally, an eighth-grade student, Tyler Anderson, and his family shared a distressing experience of physical discipline by a coach and teacher at the school.
As the community shed light on existing policies and shared personal experiences during the school board meeting, the leadership opted not to respond publicly as per protocol. The concerns raised by parents and students shed light on the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to addressing safety and discipline issues within the school.