I am a 30+-year resident of Evanston and spent all those years teaching in District 65. I have a master’s degree in child development and family support.
Over my years working with children and their parents/guardians, I saw many changes happen. Some were well planned out and beneficial to our community. Others were responses to difficult situations such as over-crowding or financial problems.
I don’t confess to know much about budgets. What I do know is child development and education.
I know that it is imperative, in today’s budget crisis, to center THE CHILDREN and their TEACHERS! They are, after all, the whole reason and purpose of our schools.
A minimum number of administrators is necessary, of course, to oversee the workings of the schools. However, there is no justification for firing teachers and other support personnel who work with the students every day in order to keep extra administrators. When given the freedom, teachers are extremely competent in managing their classrooms and teaching their students. They are the experts.
As extremely difficult decisions are made, I encourage you to look carefully at the youngest learners, the learners of color and the learners who have special needs. Consider the developmental stages students are going through, especially in their middle school years. These groups of children in particular need to be prioritized.
Think about the emotional as well as the educational impact of all your decisions.
I urge you to keep our children and teachers in the front of your minds as careful decisions are made.
Jennifer Heckathorne
Letter to the editor: Thoughts for the District 65 board is from Evanston RoundTable, Evanston's most trusted source for unbiased, in-depth journalism.
