D-205 Families 'Taking Advantage' Of Policy

ELMHURST, IL — Some Elmhurst School District 205 families are having their students attend school remotely after having indicated they want in-person instruction, officials said Tuesday.

The issue came up during a school board meeting when a member asked whether the schools have slots open for in-person learning.

Officials said some seats are unfilled.

"My understanding is that people are choosing to keep their kids at home or if they do decide, for whatever reason, they want to take a vacation, they log on remotely," Superintendent Dave Moyer said.

Assistant Superintendent Scott Grens agreed it was an issue.

"It's been taken advantage of and taken advantage of too much," he said. "We have families who join remotely from different locations. It's been a distraction in the learning environment. Students have commented on it. It's not been effective for teachers and their planning."

Moyer said some families have designated their intent for in-person learning to "hold a seat" while continuing remote instruction until they decide they want to return.

Officials said they need to enact measures to counteract this problem. They said they were tracking the issue.

This phenomenon is happening in a district where surveys have repeatedly shown that families overwhelmingly want in-person learning.