North Cook News

Evanston/Skokie Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton apologized to the parents he called white supremacists when the parents voiced concerns with the plan to not reopen schools for in-person learning.

Horton apologized via email to the parents individually.

“I wanted to reach out to you after reflecting on my response to your communication from yesterday,” Horton said in the email. “After reflecting on our exchange, I would like to first apologize for being insensitive to your outreach and concern about our decision to stay remote. I’m not sure if you’re aware of the death threats that we have been receiving over the last six months. Coupled with I just got word that a friend of mine had just committed suicide yesterday morning, my emotions took over.”

Horton said he wanted to address the parents' concerns in a more respectful manner.

“We depended pretty heavily on our local health officials up until this point and it has not been as great of a resource as we thought it would have been,” Horton said. “So in December we had our first meeting with other medical professionals who happened to be parents. We did include some medical professionals in the summer during our Task force work. The reference to the social distancing and mask was stated to further support that we do have ways to protect besides not having school.”

Horton said the Illinois Department of Public Health has also made a shift in positivity rates that frightens staff members.

“The Advisory group will help us to curve the fear of our teachers and parents in regards to use opening when the positivity rate is higher than 8%,” Horton said. “While this information may not be new to everyone there are people who were not aware.”

Horton said in-person learning would happen soon.

“We are on the cusp of opening our schools for in-person learning and I would hope that you would reconsider transferring your daughter, even though you do have that right,” Horton said. “My son also has been pushing to want to enter his new school so I totally understand. You know Leadership is hard and we have to make decisions that not everyone will be happy about. Your advocacy for your child’s education does not make you a white supremists (sic) and I hope that we get a chance to meet face to face once it’s safe to do so.”