District Digest

Voting Information

The District 41 referendum question is on the November 8, 2022 ballot.

More information about voting in DuPage County is available at: www.dupageco.org/Election/Voting/

Vote on November 8!

Click here for more information about the District 41 referendum.

Board Member Referendum Rules

A few members of the community have very recently questioned some Board of Education members identifying themselves, either directly or in response to questions, as Board members while engaging in activities in support of the upcoming school construction referendum. The questioned activities include door to door canvassing, distributing referendum material, offering vote “yes” yard signs and attending gatherings in residences of community members. The implication of the questions is that Board members may engage in these activities, but they cannot do so if they identify themselves as Board members. At least one questioner has pointed to a referendum guidance document which was provided to the District by its non-lawyer consultants in August of this year and included a statement that District “employees and officers” could not use their official titles or authority while campaigning on behalf of a referendum.

The District’s attorneys have reviewed these questions and advised that Board members may engage in these types of activities, and identify themselves as Board members, in the exercise of their free speech rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 4 of the Illinois Constitution. These constitutional rights are subject to certain limitations, which include prohibiting the use of District resources or pressuring, rewarding or punishing employees to vote “yes” or “no” on the referendum question, but there is no general legal prohibition of Board members identifying themselves as Board members while campaigning for or against the referendum. The District’s attorneys have also advised that the guidance document provided by the referendum consultants is not binding on Board members because it cannot override their constitutional free speech rights and, in any event, it was never adopted by the Board. Finally, the District’s attorneys have advised that, although not legally required, it would be prudent for Board members who identify themselves as Board members while engaging in vote “yes” or vote “no” referendum activities to clarify that they are doing so in their individual capacity.

Composer and Educator Timothy Loest Collaborates with Hadley Students

The Hadley Jr. High 8th Grade Bands are collaborating with renowned composer and educator Timothy Loest as he composes a commissioned piece thanks to the JCS Fund and Young People’s Music Initiative grant. You may find more information about Mr. Loest in his biography.

The composer will meet and work with the students over a series of events, the first of which was held last week during band classes. Mr. Loest shared information about his background, experiences, and compositional process. He invited the students to share musical thoughts and ideas about what they hope for the commissioned work and also answered student questions. Mr. Loest will then take these suggestions and questions into consideration while he composes this new work. The 8th Grade Bands will perform the world premiere of this piece at their Spring Band Concert on May 16, 2023.

Hadley Band Directors Samantha Tribley and Chris Cooper would like to thank the JCS Fund for their support of this unique opportunity, and look forward to collaborating with Mr. Loest through the commissioning process.

CHICAGO SINFONIETTA PRESENTS TO MUSIC STUDENTS AT HADLEY

Mr. Jeff Handley, percussionist of the Chicago Sinfonietta, performed orchestral pieces and presented historical composers and their compositions. Chicago Sinfonietta performs at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago and in Wentz Hall at North Central College Fine Arts Center in Naperville. Members of the Chicago Sinfonietta will be providing master classes, sectionals and other presentations for band, orchestra and general music throughout the school year. A special thank you to Mr. Handley and to the DuPage Foundation for sponsoring this wonderful experience for our music students at Hadley.