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Vol. VII No. 22
‘You are being lynched,’ board member says to Henderson
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MAY 31, 2023
Supporting asylum seekers
The reign of the ‘Henderson Five’ seems to have ended By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
Audible gasps and murmurs came from the audience in attendance at the May 16 board of education meeting for Proviso Township High School District 209 as previous board president Arbdella Patterson told Supt. James Henderson ‘you are being lynched,” during a discussion. The board was speaking regarding action item 25: Approval of Directives for Administrative Employee, which was discussed during closed session, when Patterson expressed her concern regarding a portion of the item where it discussed reimbursement. Since addressed in closed session, the item was not discussed during the live-streamed meeting but did fall into possible ways the new board majority, composed of board members Sandra Hixson, Jennifer Barbahen, David Ocampo, and new board president Amanda Grant, will attempt to hold Henderson accountable following the many controversies and alleged mishandling of district funds. It is unclear if the discussion involved a new contract or revisions to an existing contract between the district and its superintendent. And See D209 on page 9
FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ
Volunteers are working to support these asylum seekers currently housed at a Westside police station. Story on page 4.
With Lightford push, Illinois moves to state-wide all-day K
Lightford (D- Maywood) praises new bill By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
With the help and support of Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) House Bill 2396 successfully passed in the Illinois Senate and is on its way to bring all-day Kindergarten
to families across the state of Illinois. “It’s on its way to the Governor,” Lightford said. “The Governor is pleased to sign it. He is making a really big push regarding early childhood education and the continuation through elementary school.” When signed, the bill will take effect this upcoming school year and include a four- year phase-in, said Lightford. The bill was filed by Rep. Mary Beth Canty on Feb. 14, 2023 and originally
had amended the school code concerning kindergarten requiring each school board establish full-day attendance for kindergarten beginning with the 202324 school year. During the first amendment of the bill, the date for establishing a full day of classes was changed to the 2027-28 school year, to allow for school districts and the state to properly plan for the change and aid in the transition. See ALL-DAY K on page 9