GBS Yearbook Investigation
Board Directives Updates
Following the conclusion of the investigation into the Glenbrook South yearbook program, the Board of Education directed the administration to address eight concerns that materialized during the investigation. As applicable, each directive has been outlined, and activities relating to the directive have been organized into two categories: completed and in progress. Completed activities identify evidence of completion and completion date, while in-progress activities identify the administrator(s) taking the lead on an activity and a projected timeline.
Due to an incident involving a concerning social media post made by a Glenbrook South student in the fall, the administration is also addressing items in the directives that will assist the district in responding.
- Board Directive 1: Professional Development for Sponsors of Publications
- Board Directive 2: Professional Development for Employees Making Purchases or Requesting Reimbursements of Funds
- Board Directive 3: Professional Development for Administrators on Management and Supervisory Practices
- Board Directive 4: Professional Development for All Employees on Understanding and Sensitivity Regarding Hatred and Bigotry
- Board Directive 5: Review Contracting and Purchasing Practices
- Board Directive 6: Review Conflict of Interest Policies
- Board Directive 7: Evaluate Assessment and Grading Practices
- Board Directive 8: Assess Evaluation Practices for Extracurricular Staff
- Board Directive 9: Assess Policies and Procedures for Means to Enhance Student Safety
Board Directive 1: Professional Development for Sponsors of Publications
The Board of Education directed the administration to provide professional development to sponsors of publications on the following topics:
- Current laws related to student free expression and student press rights;
- District policies and procedures related to student publications; and
- Illinois educator ethics rules and appropriate Journalism educators' ethics standards.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 1:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Review sponsored activities and compile a list of publications and impacted sponsors of school-sponsored media. |
|
August 8, 2024 |
| 2. Prepare and adopt a Board Policy that includes procedures related to prior review and prior restraint and identifies the roles of the student media advisor and the administration. |
Adopted Board Policy 7:315, Restrictions on Publications |
August 12, 2024 |
| 3. A training session will be held for student media advisors and designated administrators regarding laws, policies, and procedures governing media and publications. The training will be facilitated by Justin Petrarca of Himes, Petrarca & Fester, Chtd. | Thirty-six staff members participated in Sponsored Media Advisor Training. | September 4, 2024 |
| 4. Request the school district’s General Counsel to create a manual of laws, policies, and procedures governing media and publications. |
Information compiled by Mr. Petrarca was shared with sponsors and integrated into the Sponsored Media Advisor Training. |
September 4, 2024 |
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 1:
| Activity | Administrator(s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Consistent with the Illinois Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act, the mission and purpose of student media will be reviewed for alignment with the core values of the district. | Dr. Charles Johns | January 1, 2025 |
| 2. Develop job descriptions for all student media advisors responsible for overseeing school-sponsored media activities as part of a course and student activity. |
Dr. Angelica Romano |
December 1, 2024 |
Board Directive 2: Professional Development for Employees Making Purchases or Requesting Reimbursements of Funds
The Board of Education directed the administration to provide professional development to employees responsible for making purchases and requesting disbursements of public funds or student activity funds on the following topics:
- State statutes and Board Policies regarding bidding, purchasing, contracting, budgeting, ethics, and conflict of interests;
- Permissible approaches and technologies for communicating with students, parents, and vendors; and
- Responsibility of employees to disclose relationships with current or prospective vendors.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 2:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. All administrators and clerical support team members participated in “Financial Practices Training for Administrators and Clerical Staff.” This session covered essential financial practices and relevant Board Policies. Focus areas included the responsibilities of individuals submitting purchase orders and invoices, reconciling PCard transactions, and managing Board and student activity accounts. The presentation defined the term “contract,” emphasized administrators' roles at each step of the approval process, and highlighted the roles of the Purchase and Payroll Teams during audits. This training emphasizes staff's daily activities throughout the year, ensuring clarity and compliance. Participants also asked questions to better understand these essential processes. |
Eighty-two administrators and 40 clerical staff participated in the “Financial Practices Training for Administrators and Clerical Staff” on the first day of the administrative retreat. |
August 8, 2024 |
| 2. All administrators and clerical support team members participated in a training entitled,
“Communications Update and Acceptable Communication Tools.” During this presentation, the Communications Team shared an update regarding plans to enhance internal and external communication this year. Additionally, a review of acceptable communication tools was provided. |
Eighty-two administrators and 40 clerical staff participated in the “Communications Update and Acceptable Communication Tools” training on the first day of the administrative retreat. |
August 8, 2024 |
| 3. All administrators participated in a training entitled “Technology Updates and a Review of the COOPA, SOPPA, and the AUP Training.” During this presentation, the Technology Services Department provided updates on the computer replacement process and the transition to Zoom Phone. We reviewed the technology available in each classroom, the items available for checkout, and the procedures for requesting technology support for urgent situations and routine needs. Participants also reviewed the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Illinois Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA), the district’s Acceptable Use Policy, and its relevance to teachers and administrators. |
Eighty-two administrators participated in the “Technology Updates and a Review of the COOPA, SOPPA, and the AUP” training on the first day of the administrative retreat. |
August 8, 2024 |
| 4. All employees will participate in this overview of how Board Policies and the Parent and Student Handbook are developed. Additionally, employees will learn how Board Policies, procedures, and the Parent and Student Handbook inform day-to-day practices in the school district. |
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August 20, 2024 |
| 5. Administrators, coaches, and sponsors will join the Business Services Department for an overview of relevant financial practices. Key topics include managing Board and student activity accounts, fundraising, purchasing goods and services, and the use of purchase cards. This training will emphasize the common activities performed by coaches and sponsors throughout the year, ensuring clarity and compliance in their roles. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of these essential processes. |
|
August 20, 2024 |
Board Directive 3: Professional Development for Administrators on Management and Supervisory Practices
The Board of Education directed the administration to provide professional development to administrators responsible for evaluating and supervising employees.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 3:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Manager Tools was implemented in the school district in 2019, providing administrators with the skills to conduct one-on-ones (know your people), feedback (talk about performance), and delegation (push work down). The training includes extensive practice using the tools and rollout timelines for each administrator, which the Manager Tools organization facilitates. |
Twenty-one administrators participated in the full-day Effective Manager training held at Glenbrook South. The total number of trained administrators and managers is 46. |
July 8, 2024 |
| 2. The Illinois State Board of Education recently adopted the School Leader Evaluation Plan as its default model for evaluating principals and other administrators. Adopting this new model transitions the evaluation process into an ongoing, multi-year approach incorporating the school leadership paradigm and focusing on learning while doing. Principal and administrator evaluators must participate in a two-day training in the form of an Administrators Academy (AA #4050) to be equipped to implement and utilize the new evaluation model. Janice Schwarze of the Illinois Principals Association facilitated the training. |
Twenty administrators participated in the two-day Administrators Academy at the District Administration Building. |
July 31, 2024 |
| 3. In addition to our FRISK framework, we have developed a Progressive Intervention Handbook to offer administrators additional resources to address performance concerns. This Handbook includes a model for progressive intervention and a chart outlining responsibilities for conducting investigations. |
Eighty-two administrators attended the full-day Administrator Retreat on August 8, 2024, where an overview of the handbook was presented. |
August 8, 2024 |
| 4. The district has adopted the FRISK framework to equip all administrators with the necessary tools to address employee performance issues and situations requiring investigations. This framework, created by a legal firm designed for K-12 supervisors, provides administrators with steps for handling employee deficiencies. The training was facilitated by Georgelle Cuevas, attorney and partner at Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Law Firm. |
Eighty-two administrators participated in the full-day FRISK basic and advanced training. |
August 9, 2024 |
| 5. Executive Coaching for Building Administrative Teams and Executive Cabinet is provided to support, develop, and enhance the leader’s performance and personal growth. It provides a confidential space for leaders to gain insights, refine their strategies, and build on their strengths, ultimately contributing to the success of both the individual and the organization. Its duration is six months and is provided through the North Cook Intermediate Service Center. | Five new administrators were paired with executive coaches through the North Cook Intermediate Service Center. | August 21, 2024 |
| 6. Mentoring was extended to new principals that focused on long-term career guidance. An experienced mentor offers advice and support based on personal experience through informal, ongoing mentoring. Its duration is two years and provided through the Illinois Principal Association (IPA) | One new administrator was paired with a mentor through the Illinois Principal Association. | August 21, 2024 |
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 3:
| Activity | Administrator(s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. In-house Administrator Academies (AA) for administrators to renew their license to evaluate teachers and administrators. |
Dr. Ninja Idrizi |
|
Board Directive 4: Professional Development for All Employees on Understanding and Sensitivity Regarding Hatred and Bigotry
The Board of Education directed the administration to provide professional development to all employees on understanding and sensitivity regarding: ● Antisemitism; and ● Other forms of hatred and bigotry include bystander training.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 4:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Administrators attended the School Climate Summit on Antisemitism sponsored by the Jewish United Fund. The summit provided an opportunity for district and school administrators in the Chicago area to learn how to create and maintain a supportive environment for Jewish students through Jewish identity exploration. Staff members also learned about improving our campus climate by combating antisemitism and understanding Jewish culture. |
Seven administrators attended the School Climate Summit, representing the District office, Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South. |
June 25, 2024 |
| 2. All employees will participate in training facilitated by Courtney Stillman of Himes, Petrarca & Fester, Chtd. entitled, “Anti-semitism, Islamophobia, and Related Forms of Discrimination and Bias.” The
presentation will address Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, a federal law prohibiting forms of discrimination, the Illinois Racism-Free Schools Act, and related Board Policies. |
|
August 20, 2024 |
| 3. As part of the district’s annual mandated training requirements, employees will participate in a presentation that addresses racism-free school training, sexual harassment and discrimination training, and harassment training. | The Illinois Mandated Training was distributed to all staff members on September 10, 2024. Deadline for completion is January 15, 2025. The training consists of 22 modules including Title IX, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination, Cultural Competency and more, The Racism Free Schools Training, however, has not yet been issued by the Department of Human Rights. Once it becomes available, it will be assigned to all staff for completion. |
|
| 4. All senior administrators (Executive Cabinet and Building Administrative Teams), Assistant Directors, and Associate Deans will participate in a training to address recent federal changes in the implementation of Title IX of the Civil Rights Act. This federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. The training will be facilitated by Courtney Stillman of Himes, Petrarca & Fester, Chtd. | Twenty-seven senior administrators took part in a Title IX training session conducted by Ms. Courtney Stillman from Himes, Petrarca & Fester, Chtd. | August 30, 2024 |
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 4:
| Activity | Administrator(s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The committees/teams tasked with belonging work at each location will convene and determine how to add professional development on anti-semitism to the 2024-25 schedule. The schedule will be submitted to the superintendent. |
|
TBD |
| 2. Glenbrook South is now on its sixth cohort of staff who undergo a shared learning and development program in which they develop their own goals and projects related to equity and inclusion. Each cohort is a three year path. | Dr. Barbara Georges | June 2025 |
|
3. The administration is evaluating programs to bring students, staff and community members together to build relationships through structure, dialogue and systemic analysis. The programs include:
|
D225 Executive Cabinet | March 2025 |
| 4. The administration is evaluating current professional development schedules to incorporate additional training on topics of anti-semitism, Islamophobia and anti-Asian hate. | D225 Executive Cabinet |
Board Directive 5: Review Contracting and Purchasing Practices
The Board of Education directed the administration to review contracting and purchasing practices in the district to ensure statutory compliance, policy alignments, and accountability practices.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 5:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Business Services department has implemented a workflow solution (ContractWorks) to manage active and future contracts. As part of this implementation, future contracts requiring Board of Education approval (those in excess of $35,000) will require the signature of the Board Secretary. |
The Business Services department has completed the implementation of ContractWorks. |
July 9, 2024 |
| 2. The Business Services department worked with representatives of Jostens, Inc. to revise the existing yearbook services agreement to terminate on June 30, 2025. |
|
July 11, 2024 |
| 3. In coordination with the Finance Committee, a new item has been added to the consent agenda (item 5.6) to present contracts greater than $35,000. Items to be presented will include new purchases of goods and services, and agreements subject to renewal (e.g., software licenses). These items will be presented to the Finance Committee for discussion before action is taken. |
Addition of Item 5.6 - Contracts Greater than $35,000 to the Board of Education agenda. |
August 12, 2024 |
| 4. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for cap and gown, diploma and yearbook services will be developed and made available to prospective vendors. | The proposal was made available to prospective vendors and proposals are due on November 19, 2024. | October 18, 2024 |
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 5:
| Activity | Administrator(s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
|
1. The administration will recommend that the Board of Education award a multi-year agreement for cap and gown, diploma and yearbook services beginning with the 2025-26 school year. |
Dr. Kim Ptak |
February 10, 2025 |
| 2. The district will determine a consistent platform for the use of teacher/coach/sponsor-to-student communication and will present the contract to the Board of Education. |
Carol Smith |
The new tool will be implemented for the 2025-26 school year. |
Board Directive 6: Review Conflict of Interest Policies
The Board of Education directed the administration to review the conflict of interest policies in the district to ensure statutory compliance, policy alignments and accountability practices. Table 6 identifies the activities completed related to this directive. At this time, no activities are remaining for this directive.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 6:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Board of Education revised Board Policy 2:100 - Board Member Conflict of Interest, which includes Section B - Conflict of Interest and Section D - Federal and State Grant Awards and Purchases Funded with Local Funds. These sections require that a Board member declare a conflict of interest and refrain from participating in any decisions relating to the disbursement of public and student activity funds impacted by such conflict. |
Revision of Board Policy 2:100 - Board Member Conflict of Interest. |
August 12, 2024 |
| 2. The Board of Education revised Board Policy 2:105 - Ethics Act and Gift Ban, which includes Section E - Federal and State Grant Awards and Purchases Funded with Local Funds. This section mirrors that of Board Policy 2:100, Section D, requiring that an employee must declare a conflict of interest and refrain from participating in any decisions relating to the disbursement of public and student activity funds impacted by such conflict. |
Revision of Board Policy 2:105 - Ethics Act and Gift Ban. |
August 12, 2024 |
Board Directive 7: Evaluate Assessment and Grading Practices
The Board of Education directed the administration to evaluate assessment and grading practices to ensure uniform compliance with existing policies.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 7:
| Activity | Evidence of Completion | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
1. Created a district vision for curricular alignment and pathways in a three-phased approach:
|
|
June 11, 2024 |
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 7:
| Activity | Administrator(s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Complete Phase I of the Curriculum Review. Over 80% of courses have a common name, prerequisites, and course description for the 2025-26 course selection. The D225 Curriculum Course Guide will be published in November 2024, for course selection. |
The course guide is complete and will be published in November. |
Mid-September 2024 |
|
2. Create an audit for all courses in the course guide to identify which courses have a syllabus and course map. |
The audit was completed on October 15, 2024, and will be presented to the Board of Education on November 25, 2024. |
January 1, 2025 |
| 3. Based on the audit, each department will create a plan of action beginning in the 2025-26 school year. The implementation phase will address the syllabus and curriculum map items identified in the audit. |
Instructional Supervisors, Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning, Director for Teaching and Learning |
June 1, 2025 |
| 4. Curriculum Work Phase II: Establish a district-wide standard for curricular design. Courses will be designed using the curriculum map specific to each building. Departments may begin this process based on their individual needs. We will have a common platform for curriculum maps, a curriculum map template and a system of new course approvals. | Instructional Supervisors, Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning, Director for Teaching and Learning | Starting in 2025-26 |
| 5. Curriculum Work Phase III: Ensure that all course teams are prepared to engage in district-wide curricular alignment by department and course by the 2028-29 academic year. | Instructional Supervisors, Associate Principal for Teaching and Learning, Director for Teaching and Learning | Starting in 2028-29 |
| 6. Provide professional development for all instructional leaders to ensure accountability for the backward design process (UbD®). The training will begin in the 2024-25 school year and will continue for new instructional leaders joining D225. | Ryan Bretag |
Starting second semester of the 2024-25 school year. |
| 7. Create an audit based on Board Directive 7, explore our current policies and compare them to our current practices. |
Dr. Ninja Idrizi |
January 2025 |
| 8. The district and building-level instructional leaders will review the following policies to better understand current grading practices using the collected syllabus and Power School information from the 2023-24 school year. | Dr. Ninja Idrizi | January 2025 |
| 9. The district and building-level instructional leaders will review board policies and best practices related to freedom of expression in addition to non-biased curricular design and instructional practices. | Dr. Ninja Idrizi | January 2025 |
10. Conduct an audit to examine current grading practices, including, but not limited to:
|
Dr. Ninja Idrizi | January 2025 |
| 11. Communicate all changes to staff to ensure uniform compliance with policies for the 2025-26 school year. |
|
March 2025 |
Board Directive 8: Assess Evaluation Practices for Extracurricular Staff
The Board of Education directed the administration to assess and evaluate practices for extracurricular staff, including:
- Determining the supervisory structure for co-curricular activities; and
- Determining how to capture the evaluation of co-curricular and extracurricular coaching and sponsors into the evaluation model.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 8:
| Activity | Deliverables | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Assistant Principals of Athletics and the Assistant Principals of Student Activities will meet to gather information regarding how comparable school districts evaluate extracurricular staff. |
|
August 7, 2024 |
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 8:
| Activity | Administrator (s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. School administrators will gather information regarding how comparable school districts evaluate extracurricular staff. |
|
December 1, 2024 |
| 2. The Associate Principals of Operations and Student Experiences will propose an evaluation model for extracurricular staff to the Executive Cabinet. |
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February 1, 2025 |
| 3. A group of positions (athletic coaches and activity sponsors) will be identified at each school to pilot the evaluation model. |
|
June 1, 2025 |
Board Directive 9: Assess Policies and Procedures for Means to Enhance Student Safety
The Board of Education directed the administration to assess and evaluate various policies and procedures that support our ongoing security efforts.
Completed Activities for Board Directive 9
None - this is a new directive added Oct. 28, 2024.
Activities in Progress for Board Directive 9
| Activity | Administrator(s) Assigned | Projected Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. CASEL Audit - Social and Emotional Learning Readiness Engagement Analysis of the Glenbrooks | Ryan Bretag | May 1, 2025 |
| 2. Consider revising Handbook 6.20: School Dress Code to improve safety and security | Dr. R.J. Gravel | November 30, 2024 |
| 3. Consider revising Handbook 6.80: Student Use of Electronic Devices to improve safety, security and student privacy | Dr. R.J. Gravel | November 30, 2024 |
| 4. Consider revising Handbook 6.91: Student IDs to improve safety and security | Dr. R.J. Gravel | May 1, 2025 |
| 5. Consider adding language to the handbook regarding items that can be brought into after-school events, such as backpacks. | Dr. R.J. Gravel | May 1, 2025 |
| 6. Recommend to the Board of Education an upgrade to the existing camera system installed in all facilities to replace end-of-life equipment, and upgrade the existing software or transition to a new software that improves the efficiency of conducting investigations. |
|
January 1, 2025 |
Navigation
Communication Regarding Yearbook Investigation
The following is a timeline of communication regarding the Glenbrook South investigation, which took place during the 2023-24 school year. Throughout the investigation, the Glenbrook High School Board of Education regularly provided updates to the community.
- July 8, 2024 - Notice to Remedy
- July 8, 2024 - Brenda Field's Apology Letter
- GBS Yearbook Terms and Information for the 2024-25 School Year
- June 25, 2024
- May 29, 2024
- May 24, 2024
July 8, 2024 - Notice to Remedy
Notice to Remedy
Read by District 225 Board of Education President, Mr. Bruce Doughty at the July 8, 2024 meeting.
Serving on a board of education is replete with rewards and challenges. Occasionally, a board member is called upon to make decisions that would preferably be easier, if not avoided. Tonight, we are compelled to make one of those unavoidable decisions.
Since late May, our School District and communities have been burdened by a decision that should never have been allowed. The yearbook controversy at Glenbrook South has created harm to our students, staff, administration, families, and communities. The lack of judgment exercised in allowing the printing of the controversial passage in the yearbook
resulted in substantial disruption to the operation of this District, and caused high anxiety for students, staff and community members regarding their safety, and resulted in significant upheaval at Board meetings for over one month.
The board was compelled to determine how this error occurred and take steps to avoid any repeat in the future. The report of the investigation of the events leading to the publication is complete and has been made public. The only reasonable outcome is to discipline Brenda Field, the yearbook advisor. The discipline to be imposed is substantial:
1. She is relieved of all duties relating to the publication of the yearbook. She will not be paid the stipend for those duties nor teach any yearbook classes.
2. She is suspended without pay for 30 workdays.
3. Her assignment for the remainder of her employment will not involve student instruction and will be determined by the Superintendent and Principal.
4. She will be required to operate in strict conformity with Board policies, administrative rules and directives for the remainder of her employment.
This discipline takes the form of a formal Notice to Remedy, issued by the Board as a final warning. Any further errors in judgment or failure to conform her behavior to the above requirements will result in dismissal.
The removal of Ms. Field gives us some comfort that this type of error will not occur in the future. In addition, the Administration will take all steps directed by the Board to avoid similar lapses in judgment in other co-curricular activities, as we will outline in our next agenda item.
July 8, 2024 - Brenda Field's Apology Letter
July 8, 2024
The events of the last month regarding the publication of the 2024 Glenbrook South yearbook require that I extend my heartfelt apology to students, staff, the Board of Education and the entire Glenbrook community for my poor judgment and lack of supervision relating to the publication of the yearbook. It is clear to me now that the publication of a quote attributable to a sophomore student interviewed by the yearbook staff required more reflection on my part as yearbook advisor before printing and publication of the yearbook.
I realize that I failed to understand the depth of feeling about the issue, nor did I anticipate the anger the quote created in our community. I did not understand the antisemitic nature of the passage and the pain it caused to Jewish people. I failed to more forcefully and directly exercise my role in giving guidance and advice to the editors regarding the use of the quote. I should have exercised more supervisory responsibility.
I also recognize that the concerns I had about the quote should have been reviewed with my Principal before allowing it to be printed and published. The seeking of her advice would have been consistent with the expectations of Board policy and the Student Handbook.
Most importantly, I failed to anticipate the impact the quote would have on the students and staff of the District. In particular, I want to apologize to the quoted student and her family for any problems and discomfort our publication decision has caused for you.
I have come to realize through this experience that in my role of promoting ethical journalistic standards for our yearbook students, I need to be more cognizant of the potential resulting harm to others, which is not acceptable. It is my sincere hope that my 23 years of unwavering support for our students and their work is not completely diminished by this act of poor judgment on my part.
Brenda Field
GBS Yearbook Terms and Information for the 2024-25 School Year
What is a Notice to Remedy?
A notice to remedy is an official warning to a tenured teacher that the teacher’s behavior, if not remedied, may lead to dismissal. The notice must come from the Board and is issued based upon an understanding of which behaviors by their nature are irremediable and which are remediable. By definition, such behaviors are more serious in nature than those that are subject to a written reprimand from a supervisor/administrator. Determining which behaviors are remediable requires a review of scores of cases where teachers have been dismissed with or without a prior warning/notice.
The most simple explanation found in the cases is that “irremediable” conduct is such that the damage done to students, faculty or the school is “irreparable” and that the conduct could not have been corrected with a prior warning to the employee.
Will the yearbook continue to be published?
Yes, the yearbook will continue to be published and students are already enrolled in the courses for the 2024-25 school year.
What is the anticipated timeline for filling the yearbook sponsor and teacher position?
- The yearbook teaching and sponsor position was posted to the application tool used by the district and sent to all staff members on Tuesday, July 9.
- As with any hiring process, the administration will collect interested applicants, conduct interviews and determine the appropriate candidate.
- It is anticipated that the new sponsor and teacher will be in place for the start of the school year.
What is the outcome of the yearbook replacement process?
The district received 333 responses to the survey.
- 47 requested a sticker
- 57 requested a new yearbook
- 229 respondents indicated that they would keep their yearbook
- There was one request to return the yearbook for a full refund
How will the board be kept informed about its directives to the administration?
- Plans are currently underway to address the directives given to the administration by the board of education including arrangements for training and development of policy changes.
- The administration will report plans and progress to the board at its meeting on August 12, 2024.
- The board has made it clear that progress on the directives should be shared with the board on a timely basis.
- Many actions are already in progress, while others will take longer to implement.
June 25, 2024
June 25, 2024
At its regular meeting on June 24, 2024, the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education received a report from the district’s attorney, Mr. Justin Petrarca, detailing the findings of an investigation of a statement that appeared in the Glenbrook South High School yearbook. Board members expressed deep concern over how the yearbook was produced, how the pages in question were specifically developed, and the distress caused to the community and emphasized their commitment to releasing the findings of the comprehensive investigation. The board assured the public that both the investigation and the resulting report, led by Mr. Petrarca, were conducted carefully and thoroughly. The full report is available in the meeting agenda from June 24, 2024. The board will be providing further information on follow-up actions at its next meeting on July 8, 2024.
May 29, 2024
May 29, 2024
At last night's Board of Education meeting, the following statement was read by Vice President Pete Glowacki regarding the Glenbrook South High School yearbook.
On behalf of the D225 Board of Education, I want to comment on the antisemitic statements appearing in the recently distributed GBS Yearbook. These statements are hurtful to our students, staff, and community and will not be condoned or tolerated.
The District 225 Board of Education, administration, and staff condemn antisemitism, hate speech, and violence of any kind. This is a core belief codified by Illinois statute, district policy, and our student handbook. The Board has directed the administration to promptly and thoroughly investigate these comments so that we can address how they came to be published and properly address any future occurrences. Furthermore, the investigation must consider the rights of all of those involved. The completed report and recommendations will be shared with the public, in the coming weeks. Preliminarily, we can share that the principal, Dr. Georges, assistant principal Mark Maranto and many administrative staff were unaware of the offending content until after the yearbooks had been distributed.
We recognize that adolescence is a time when students are trying to make sense of the world and their identity within it. As a learning institution, focused on the positive development of young people, the district aspires to create a safe environment for our students to learn to be critical thinkers, recognize and appreciate multiple perspectives, and understand their responsibilities in our evolving world.
In the days since the yearbook’s publication, anger has permeated our community, and this is understandable. People are hurt and scared and feel a sense of betrayal. Unfortunately, these sentiments have led to threats and intimidation against the student, principal and faculty sponsor of our community. These actions against members of our community will also not be tolerated.
As a Board, we welcome and encourage sharing diverse viewpoints and perspectives through respectful dialogue. We ask everyone commenting tonight to help us uphold these values.
May 24, 2024
May 24, 2024
Dear GBS students and families,
We are writing to express our profound regret and address the large number of questions we have received about a statement related to the current event piece entitled, “October 7 War in Gaza,” published in the 2023-2024 yearbook, Etruscan. The statements in the piece in no way represent the views of Glenbrook South or District 225. We recognize the feelings, fear and pain related to the content in the yearbook, and we want to assure you that we are in conversation with many students, families, staff and community members about this situation.
Glenbrook South has a long history of prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students. We are committed to ensuring that all those impacted by the statements published in the yearbook feel safe and supported while at school. Our goal at Glenbrook South is to “ensure that every student at Glenbrook South will report feeling a sense of belonging as a valued member of the Titan community.” Over this challenging year, we have and will continue to take intentional measures to listen and respond to all concerns. If any student needs additional support or services, members of the Student Services Department are available.
When we became aware of this situation on Thursday, we initiated an investigation that will continue until we reach a resolution. Our goal is to ensure that all students and staff feel safe and are valued. We are exploring all options to remedy this deeply offensive and regrettable situation.
Due to the tremendous number of inquiries and feedback on this topic, we have been unable to respond individually as we usually aspire to do. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this situation.