W E D N E S D A Y
June 14, 2017 Vol. 35, No. 43 ONE DOLLAR
@oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Summer Fun 2017 Page B1
Outside report details District 90 diversity woes District staff does not reflect student body By THOMAS VOGEL Staff Reporter
Just under half of all elementary students in River Forest public schools will never have a teacher of color and just one in 10 classes at Roosevelt Middle School are taught by a teacher of color, according to a new report presented to the District 90 Board of Education at its June 6 meeting. The study was conducted by an outside consultant. The 30-page report, commissioned by the board for $15,000 as part of its continued push for greater equity and inclusivity in its schools and produced by Chicago-based Alma Advisory Group, focuses on revamping hiring practices and boosting staff diversity. The report’s conclusions — which used district data, staff interviews and focus groups — were mixed. There were several areas of improvement but also a few clear strengths that Alma consultants said should be leveraged. The report comes just about a month after District 90 partnered with Oak Park’s District 97 and District 200 at the Tri-District Town Hall Forum. “There’s an awful lot of research and I think anecdotal kind of support as well that children do benefit when they see themselves in adults in their community,” District 90 Supt. Edward Condon said at the June 6 meeting. “Our student body today is more diverse than we’ve ever been before. It’s a very rich tapestry. … Our faculty, while it continues to change and evolve, has not really become more diverse, as See D90 diversity on page 13
Courtesy VIP/Visual Image Photography
OPRF softball players mob pitcher Chardonnay Harris after she struck out the final hitter during the Huskies’ 2-1 win against Lincoln Way East on June 10 in the championship game of the IHSA Class 4A state finals in EastSide Centre in East Peoria. For even more coverage, turn to Sports, page 36.
OPRF softball savors sweet repeat Huskies’ Harris, Scott provide heroics in riveting Class 4A final
By JACK McMULLEN Contributing Reporter
Oak Park and River Forest senior catcher Mariah Scott missed a hit-andrun sign from head coach Mel Kolbusz in the top of the seventh inning, causing junior shortstop Maeve Nelson to be
tagged out on a steal attempt at second base on Saturday. Less than a minute later, Scott delivered one of the biggest moments in OPRF sports history. Scott’s towering solo home run in the top of the seventh was all OPRF needed to seal a 1-0 victory in the IHSA Class 4A
State Final against Lincoln-Way East High School. The Huskies (37-1) won their second straight 4A state title. Over the past two seasons, OPRF finished with a 74-3 record. See OPRF softball on page 35
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