Elmhurst D205 Hopeful Slams Student Theater Performance

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst school board candidate Tom Chavez angered some residents earlier this month with his criticism of a York High School student performance.

He denounced "Bar Mitzvah Boy," which was a speech performance by two students. He took to social media and texted a similar statement to Patch.

In the text, Chavez said some parents were unhappy with the performance.

"It was described to me as antisemitic, vulgar, performative sexual assault, full of anti-male behavior and misogyny. Girls' breasts mocked as 'double D,'" Chavez wrote. "This was not optional. Teachers (activists) chose the 'performance' instead of regular class."

At Tuesday's school board meeting, resident Maria Balice, a Chavez critic, said the speech team received state recognition for "Bar Mitzvah Boy." The board honored the speech team at the meeting.

"Their achievements should not be undermined or tainted," Balice said. "Unfortunately, they were."

She listed other instances in which Chavez insulted particular residents, including accusing a local man who disagreed with him of being "emasculated" and having a "limp wrist."

"We need a board member who is collaborative, curious and kind to make our district better, not someone who is belligerent, incurious and cruel," Balice said.

Chavez, who spoke a short while later, did not respond to Balice. Rather, his focus was board President Athena Arvanitis, whose business helps families navigate their college searches and approach decisions related to life after high school.

"It seems like a massive conflict of interest to me where you have somebody who's in a role preparing students (who is) not making sure that the district is preparing students and then profiting off of offering consulting services," Chavez said. "Maybe it's just me."

Chavez, Arvanitis, John Bishof, Brian Bresnahan and Nikki "Nicole" Slowinski are running in the April 1 election. Three seats are up.