Dupage Policy Journal

After watching a Black Lives Matter (BLM) YouTube video that District 87 distributed to parents and students while school buildings are closed, Robin Fogarty noticed that one of the links in the comment section connected to "Defund the Police."  

“It’s upsetting because it's a politically charged group,” Fogarty told the DuPage Policy Journal. “I do stand for black lives. I just don't stand for the organization. It's one side of the fence and my daughter’s school could remove a police officer. Right now, we have at least one police officer constantly there and now they're talking about defunding the police. So, that could very well be the next step.”

That’s why she wrote a letter to Dr. John Mensik, principal of Glenbard North High School, where her daughter is a junior starting in the fall.

“They're indoctrinating our kids,” Fogarty said in an interview. “All of our kids feel that the BLM organization is really supporting black life. They don't understand that this organization is where all the hate is coming from and this organization is tied into a political movement. They're not supporting black lives.”

In her June 14, 2020 email, Fogarty asked Dr. Mensik to retract the video based on Section P2:105 of the school district policy handbook, which states:

 ''No board member or employee shall intentionally use any district property or resources in connection with any political activity.” 

But the concerned mother didn’t receive the compliant response hoped for.

“Thank you for the information Mrs. Fogerty,” wrote Dr. Mensik in his June 15, 2020 reply. “When I click on the link to the YouTube video I do not see any links pop up on the screen below like in the picture you sent. However, if you have links pop up then I would assume that others do as well. The video itself seems to [be] well done and supportive of black lives. I am not sure about the links and will forward your message to our district office regarding your concerns.” 

She did, however, receive a phone call from District 87 School Supt. David Larson.

“I felt like he was trying to silence me with kindness,” Fogarty said of the conversation. “They have completely crossed over the line of politics. They're allowing a left agenda to take over and that concerns me because I have a child there. The Democratic view is just spewed out all the time.”

The result, Fogarty says, is that her teenager has been misinformed.

“I want my daughter to have her own voice because she has a right to,” said Fogarty. “She might disagree with me. I want her to understand. She thinks defunding the police is going to allow more money to go towards relieving oppression in the city. Even though they say that is what's going to happen, that's not necessarily what's going to happen.”