The Examiner U-46 News Feed

U-46 students, staff speak against nixing program

By Seth Hancock
  Several students and staff voiced opposition to a potential plan by School District U-46 to remove the automotive program from Bartlett High School at the Monday, March 13 Board of Education meeting.
  In total, five students spoke during public comments and two staff members, as commenters noted many more were there in support of them filling up an overflow room.
  Commenters said they just heard about the plan in recent weeks to house an automotive program only at Streamwood High School. Students from other high schools would still be able to attend, but commenters said many will not if they have to travel to another school.
  Dan Mejdrich, Bartlett’s automotive teacher, said he’s taught there for 20 years.
  “This is my home, and I’ve been crushed the last week learning about what may happen…. We’re a certified program. We’ve already done the work to make it happen. I would hate to see that go away,” Mejdrich said adding that Bartlett has had the most automotive students of any high school in the district most years.
  The district plans to expand academies at Bartlett and claims automotives needs to be removed for space, Mejdrich said, but he said there is “plenty of space” at the school to expand academies and continue the automotives program. He also noted many of the students there to speak would not be effected as the change would occur after they graduate, but they know how helpful the program will be for future students.
  Devin Graff, a paraprofessional at Bartlett, said she works with students with autism and “classes like Mr. Mejdrich’s class provide abundant, abundant opportunities” for those students. She added it’s “a great disservice to all of the students involved, especially those with special needs.”
  Chase Hopkins, a Bartlett senior, said it “does not make sense” to remove a program that has over 100 students, and it’s one of the only trades program at the school.
  “Rather than laying off three instructors that directly teach us at Bartlett High School, what about laying off three high ranking administrators that don’t teach us anything? This district could save half a million dollars and put it toward teaching autos and trades at our high schools,” Hopkins said adding that the board can direct the administration not to shut down the program.
  “The administrators work for you,” Hopkins said. “And as a registered voter, let’s hope this doesn’t become a campaign issue.”
  Board members did not address the comments at the meeting.