Concerned Parents of Il., Judicial Watch win as D181 adds opt-out option for inappropriate class, library materials

From Dupage Policy Journal:

“By standing firm, we forced them to change, and today, parents in D181 finally have the right to shield their children from this age-inappropriate agenda,” McCloy said. “This is what happens when moms fight together for parental rights and never back down. Thank you to Judicial Watch for standing with parents and defending their rights, and to D181 for finally listening to its parents.”

With the help of Judicial Watch Senior Attorney Michael Bekesha, McCloy began pressing the district to respect her rights to opt out of exposing her child to such materials.

“Kristina reached out to me in the spring, and she wanted to limit her son’s access to certain books both in the classroom and during library time, as well as prevent him from checking out those books,” Bekesha told DuPage Policy Journal. “The school district basically said they could prevent her son from checking out the books in the library, but they couldn’t control what he picked up while in the library. Kristina was concerned that this wouldn’t be adequate because the books were contrary to her beliefs.”

Bekesha explained how this advocacy led to a breakthrough in the district’s approach.

“Over the past few months I’ve been working with her to find a way to have her have the say over what her son learned when it comes to LGBTQ issues,” he said. “And just this week we have found out that the school district is willing to prevent her son from accessing the books that she has concerns about.”

The resolution came shortly after McCloy signaled that she was preparing to take legal action against the district.

In response, the district introduced a new “Request to Opt Out of Curriculum Content” formwhich provides a formalized process that grants parents the ability to object to specific classroom materials or books.

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