FRANKFORT, IL — Enraged District 161 parents waited for the board members who had just voted to close their children’s schools to re-emerge, after they quickly ducked out of the room following a 4-3 vote to move forward with shuttering the two buildings.
Angry shouts and expletives exploded from a crowded boardroom at the Summit Hill District 161 administration building Wednesday night after the board pushed through a measure to close Arbury Hills School in Mokena and Frankfort Square School, effective June 1, 2024.
“You have awakened the bear in a lot of parents,” said parent Tara Tomasek. “I will go door-to-door, and figure out what we need to do what to get you out of here.”
Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The board of education—noting declining enrollment and empty classrooms at schools—has said for months that it would need to close two schools. Enrollment in District 161, which has school buildings in Mokena, Frankfort and Tinley Park, is expected to dip again next year, district officials project. The district once boasted an enrollment of more than 3,600 students, now dwindled to around 2,400, which prompted district officials to begin to consider how many school buildings are needed, they said.
Among the issues that the district has considered in pondering the closures is student equity, the district has said previously. District officials have said they have seen student achievement testing drop when students are brought back together as fifth graders at Walker Intermediate School.
Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“This again brings forth questions as to whether each and every (student) is being exposed to the same experiences and education,” the district said in its frequently asked questions section on its website.
After more than a dozen commenters—some of them Arbury Hills students with shaking hands and tears in their eyes—board members marched ahead in an agenda that would include the school closings. Parents implored the board to give the matter more time and research, provide better evidence of the need to close two schools and explore other options to get the money they need to make necessary repairs to buildings.
“Do your due diligence!” many demanded.
Following public comment, board member Amy Berk asked to table the matter to a later date; board member Matt Carey seconded that. That was ultimately voted down, and the board forged ahead with a vote.
Carey decried the board’s actions leading up to the vote. Following several previously held public hearings, the board pushed the vote up to its Dec. 20 meeting—seemingly without much notice to board members.
“First and foremost, the way this was put out in our agenda was an absolute despicable act,” Carey said. “A real snaky thing to do.”
Voting yes to closing the schools were board members Stefanie McCleish and Katie Campbell, along with President Jim Martin and vice president Joy Murphy; voting against the closing were board members Berk, John Winter and Carey.
“I took a personal oath to make sure I make decisions to maximize the quality of education for all our students,” board member McCleish said. “I do not take these decisions lightly.”
Citing time spent in all the district’s schools, McCleish defended her stance, saying, “I do feel that I have done my due diligence.”
“You should be ashamed of yourselves!” parents shouted following the vote.
“%&** you,” others shouted.
One trotted across the room, flashing both middle fingers at the board members.
“I was angry before, I am livid now,” said parent Lisa Brace. “This gets stinkier and stinkier every time we peel back a layer.
“… you have done the absolutely bare minimum required by law. This is duplicitous.
“This is not a factory making widgets, these are children, these are students. They are the people you serve.”
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.