Will County News

The Board of Education of Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 voted to begin the school year remotely. The new Return to School plan calls for remote learning to begin August 31, 2020. Administrators stated the later start date will allow for more training of paraprofessionals and more time for delivery of PPE and cleaning supplies for the eventual start of in-person learning. 

On July 27, 2020, Joliet Public Schools District 86 announced the 2020-2021 School Year will begin with remote learning. Previously, the district had announced a hybrid model.  The District states all students will be provided a District-issued technology device. Letter posted on the District's website explaining the decision to begin the year remotely: "As you know, the safety of our students and  staff members remains our top priority in Joliet Public Schools District 86. With this in mind, after monitoring the  continued rise of COVID cases across Illinois, reviewing updated guidance, and several sleepless nights, we have  decided that we will begin the 2020-2021 school year for all students in Remote Learning.  This decision was not  made lightly, but we cannot risk the safety and well-being of our students and employees as the uncertainties of this  virus continue to evolve. We will reassess the situation half way through the first t...

Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin is calling for Illinois House of Representatives Speaker Michael Madigan to step down from his leadership position. Rezin joined with other Republican State Senators to issue the following statement:     “Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan exerts absolute control over what issues get a hearing and which get a vote in the Illinois House. As the US Attorney announced last week, that process allegedly comes with a price.   “Illinois Democrats, who control both chambers of the Illinois legislature, should embrace reforms that will ensure all the power of legislating is not consolidated into the hands of one allegedly corrupt process. This can be done by improving transparency and enacting a fair redistricting process.   “What is abundantly clear to our caucus and every concerned citizen in Illinois is the fact that Michael Madigan can no longer serve as Speaker of the Illinois House, and he should step aside from...

The Plainfield Board of Education will meet for a Special Board Meeting on Monday, July 27th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.. Approving the Return '20 Plan is on the agenda.  At the July 20, 2020 Plainfield Board of Education, the Board voted 3-3 on the plan, meaning the Board failed to adopt the plan. To watch the meeting, follow these directions: TO ACCESS/VIEW THE MEETING ***PLEASE NOTE: we expect significant community interest in this meeting. If we exceed our Zoom meeting limit, viewers will be given the option to watch the meeting live on YouTube. Please click the link below to join the webinar by: BY VIDEO https://psd202.zoom.us/j/84998077274?pwd=czFPLzlqeDBNNHd5bzdxZVNuYWYxQT09 Passcode: 0pmqMt  Or iPhone one-tap US: +13126266799,,84998077274#,,,,,,0#,,076744# or +13017158592,,84998077274#,,,,,,0#,,076744# OR TELEPHONE Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US:+13126266799 or+13017158592 or+16465588656 or+1346248 7799 ...

On Monday, July 20, 2020, the Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Board of Education voted 3-3 on a plan to begin the school year completely remotely.  Since the remote return to school plan was not adopted, staff must now develop a new plan to bring to the Board. On Thursday, July 23rd, members of the Plainfield Teachers Union stood on the sidewalk on streets near the District Administration building and displayed sings asking questions about the plan to reopen school. The District Board of Education meets for a closed session to discuss negotiations with employees on July 23rd, but the agenda states no action will be taken.

Members of the Plainfield Teachers Union--the Association of Plainfield Teachers-- rallied in front of Plainfield Central High School today before a Special Board of Education tonight in Plainfield .  Union president Dawn Bullock said the union plans to meet with the Board tonight to express teacher concerns about an in-person return to school.   Bullock said even with half the student population, passing periods will make social distancing impossible.  Bullock went on to state that service providers will not be able to work with small groups around a table as an example of one way in-person instruction will be affected by social distancing guidelines.  "It is a much more involved situation than they realize, and students will not be returning to the school they left in March." Bullock went on to say she hopes the Board will realize a remote start is the safest start to the school year.  Bullock stated teachers and supporters stood on...

The Board of Education for Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 will meet for a Special Meeting on July 23, 2020. The notice for the meeting states the Board has called the meeting for "closed session". The Agenda calls for a Closed Session of the Board for the purpose of discussing: "Collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees or their representatives, or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. CLOSED SESSION REQUESTED." The agenda states that after the board returns from closed session the board will adjourn and no action will be taken. On July 20, 2020, the Board voted 3-3 on a call to approve an all-remote return to school plan for the 1st quarter of Fall 2020.  The plan was not adopted due to failing to gain a majority and the Board directed District staff to develop alternative plans.