Post by gatormom on Mar 28, 2009 7:39:54 GMT -5
Dist. 203 not backing away from Ayers visit
Jake Griffin
Daily Herald 3/28/2009
[urlhttp://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=282219&src=2][/url]
Naperville Unit District 203 officials say they're discussing several options regarding a planned visit by controversial author Bill Ayers - but canceling his appearance is not among them.
The co-founder of the anti-Vietnam war group the Weather Underground and current University of Illinois-Chicago education professor is slated to speak to social studies students April 8 at Naperville North High School.
The Weather Underground was responsible for a series of bombings at public buildings during the 1960s and '70s. Ayers' notoriety had faded over the years, but his ties to President Barack Obama became an issue during the 2008 campaign and he was thrust back into the limelight. Ayers is not being paid to speak at the school.
District officials said they have received numerous complaints from residents since the Daily Herald reported the planned lecture earlier this week.
"Because there's so much interest, we're thinking of taking it off campus to a venue that will enable us to open it to a wider audience," spokeswoman Melea Smith said.
Ayers was invited to speak by Naperville North history teacher Kermit Eby, a former student of Ayers'. Only students in Eby's eighth-hour class and other students whose eighth-hour class relates to Ayers' presentation will be allowed to attend. Those students who want to attend also must bring a signed parental slip. District officials said they are treating the lecture like an in-school field trip.
Ayers also is slated to hold a book-signing at Anderson's Bookshop later that day in downtown Naperville.
An online war of words has erupted regarding the planned lecture. Eby has come under attack for his teaching methods and is being accused of pushing his own political agenda in his classes.
Eby said he would not comment about the accusations at this time, but the district rejected them outright.
"He wouldn't be teaching here if that were the case," Smith said.
People have threatened to boycott Anderson's as well.
"It's uncomfortable, but we stand behind all our authors and hope that we're providing a forum of free speech and a place where the community can come for information," said Gail Wetta, the store's events and publicity coordinator. "There is that American right to speak even though we may not agree with it."
Former Regional Superintendent of Suburban Cook County Schools Joe Kaczanowski is a district taxpayer and spoke with District 203 Superintendent Alan Leis about his objections to Ayers' planned visit. He suggested the public be allowed to attend.
"We the public have the right to know what's being presented to our young people inside our school district," Kaczanowski said. "I lived through the all the hullabaloo during the Weather Underground in Chicago and it was not nice. I don't think I'm micromanaging the school at all."
Smith said parents would be notified of any future decisions on the lecture via an e-mail distribution list.
Jake Griffin
Daily Herald 3/28/2009
[urlhttp://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=282219&src=2][/url]
Naperville Unit District 203 officials say they're discussing several options regarding a planned visit by controversial author Bill Ayers - but canceling his appearance is not among them.
The co-founder of the anti-Vietnam war group the Weather Underground and current University of Illinois-Chicago education professor is slated to speak to social studies students April 8 at Naperville North High School.
The Weather Underground was responsible for a series of bombings at public buildings during the 1960s and '70s. Ayers' notoriety had faded over the years, but his ties to President Barack Obama became an issue during the 2008 campaign and he was thrust back into the limelight. Ayers is not being paid to speak at the school.
District officials said they have received numerous complaints from residents since the Daily Herald reported the planned lecture earlier this week.
"Because there's so much interest, we're thinking of taking it off campus to a venue that will enable us to open it to a wider audience," spokeswoman Melea Smith said.
Ayers was invited to speak by Naperville North history teacher Kermit Eby, a former student of Ayers'. Only students in Eby's eighth-hour class and other students whose eighth-hour class relates to Ayers' presentation will be allowed to attend. Those students who want to attend also must bring a signed parental slip. District officials said they are treating the lecture like an in-school field trip.
Ayers also is slated to hold a book-signing at Anderson's Bookshop later that day in downtown Naperville.
An online war of words has erupted regarding the planned lecture. Eby has come under attack for his teaching methods and is being accused of pushing his own political agenda in his classes.
Eby said he would not comment about the accusations at this time, but the district rejected them outright.
"He wouldn't be teaching here if that were the case," Smith said.
People have threatened to boycott Anderson's as well.
"It's uncomfortable, but we stand behind all our authors and hope that we're providing a forum of free speech and a place where the community can come for information," said Gail Wetta, the store's events and publicity coordinator. "There is that American right to speak even though we may not agree with it."
Former Regional Superintendent of Suburban Cook County Schools Joe Kaczanowski is a district taxpayer and spoke with District 203 Superintendent Alan Leis about his objections to Ayers' planned visit. He suggested the public be allowed to attend.
"We the public have the right to know what's being presented to our young people inside our school district," Kaczanowski said. "I lived through the all the hullabaloo during the Weather Underground in Chicago and it was not nice. I don't think I'm micromanaging the school at all."
Smith said parents would be notified of any future decisions on the lecture via an e-mail distribution list.