Clarity Corner
SD 308 is committed to keeping our staff, students, and families informed with accurate, up-to-date information. This page is a central resource for addressing misinformation, clarifying key topics, and answering common questions. We aim to foster transparency, trust, and open communication within our school community. Each topic area includes links and someone you can contact directly to discuss further. You’re also invited to submit questions or concerns to be addressed.
Check back regularly for updates and reliable insights on important district matters.
Did the district delay sharing information about the situation on 02/18/25 involving an unloaded firearm at Plank?
We acknowledge several social media platforms continue to promote misinformation and false timelines regarding the Feb.18 incident at Plank Junior High. It is critical to understand the actual facts of the event to prevent further community concerns.
Officials at Plank Junior High School responded quickly and thoroughly to the initial student report to determine if a weapon was present. Immediately, the student in question was brought to the office and remained with administrators while questioned, and an initial search was conducted.
Once questioning and student reports aligned, and there was the potential threat of an actual firearm present, the building initiated a hold-in-place and law enforcement was contacted. At that time, both staff and parents were notified. Once law enforcement responded, the individual was thoroughly searched and a weapon was located. Law enforcement secured the weapon, the hold-in-place was lifted, and again, parents and staff were notified. The firearm was not loaded, the student was in custody, and no additional weapons were located, so district administration cleared the building to resume normal operations. Parents and staff were notified again at this point.
Ongoing communication was made when law enforcement had determined the charges and prepared for a coordinated press release. Superintendent Dr. Khelghati sent a message to all SD 308 families, linking the law enforcement department’s release with facts surrounding the incident.
Throughout the entire situation, from the first report to securing the weapon, the school and law enforcement officials were focused on the safety and security of the students and staff. Parents and staff were kept apprised throughout the incident when new information was available. The total time from the first tip coming into the office until the individual was under administrative supervision was five minutes. Law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the individual and secured the weapon within minutes of their arrival. Parents and staff were notified three times over the course of these events.
Our district encourages all students to “see something, say something” if they hear, see, or read something concerning. This can result in several reports being made each day. Each report is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. The large majority of reports are unfounded, unsubstantiated, or transient in nature; things can be rumors, and items may be mistaken as dangerous. There is not a full public report developed each time a school office takes in a tip from students; it would cause significant disruption to the learning environment and, most importantly, pull educational staff away from their role. Determining if there is any real threat or concern can be addressed in a variety of ways during the initial phases of an investigation. When a situation actively involves law enforcement, specific details may not be available for release. There will always be an effort made to communicate to those closest to the situation first, offering the information that can be shared. The school community is notified first when information is verified and ready for release. The district does inform the broader community once the situational response is complete.
Where do the student athletic fees go?
The $300 athletic fee helps offset the costs of student athletics, including coaching stipends, officials, transportation, uniforms, athletic trainers, equipment, facility maintenance, lodging for postseason competitions, and association memberships. Additional costs include coach training, insurance coverage, software, and competition staffing. Expenses far exceed the fee collected, and supplementation with district funds is necessary for continued operation.
Schools must for low-income students and those experiencing homelessness, ensuring access to athletics despite financial hardship. While payments are not collected from these students, the school still incurs the costs of participation.
Committed to financial transparency, the district provides monthly and annual reports online, including budget details, audit reports, revenue and expenditure dashboards, and more (Finance Department page).
If you have additional questions or want to learn more, please contact Amanda Sitar, Director of Finance.
Email: asitar@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3188
Why would an entire class evacuate if a student is acting out?
Students may exhibit erratic behavior for various reasons, including underlying disorders that, when triggered, can cause dysregulation. Safety is a top priority. If a student in crisis poses a risk to classmates, the class may be temporarily relocated to prevent injury and allow trained staff to intervene appropriately. Attempting to remove a student in distress from a full classroom can escalate the situation, increasing the risk of harm to the student and others.
The district prioritizes prevention by providing staff with professional development and training to recognize early warning signs and de-escalate situations before they become dangerous. If a student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a meeting may be held to assess whether their current placement remains appropriate. Students with special needs are entitled to an education in the least restrictive environment.
Parents concerned about a classroom relocating are encouraged to speak with their teacher about the situation. If additional conversation is warranted, the school’s principal should be contacted. At the district level, the Schools Department is the best resource for assistance and their contact information is below.
Dr. Tammie Harmon, Executive Director of Elementary Education
Email: tharmon@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3097
Dr. Markisha Mitchell, Executive Director of Secondary Schools
Email: mmitchell01@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3080
John Francis, Executive Director of Schools
Email: jfrancis@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-4677)
Why does the district request individuals to use the FOIA process when requesting information?
A school district would require individuals seeking information to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request process for several reasons:
School districts require individuals to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process to ensure compliance with state and federal transparency laws while protecting sensitive information. FOIA provides a formal, documented method for handling requests, ensuring consistency and legal timelines are met. It also allows the district to review and redact protected data, such as student or employee records, in line with laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).
Processing information requests can be time-consuming. The district uses the FOIA process to help manage requests efficiently, prioritize appropriately, and allocate resources effectively rather than responding to informal or ad-hoc inquiries. The district also publishes FOIA responses to reduce redundancy in requests. The impact of excessive demands for information can disrupt operations or burden staff time with unreasonable workloads.
Overall, the FOIA request process balances public access to information with the need to protect sensitive data, maintain efficiency, and ensure legal compliance.
Please contact Heather Mieloszyk, Administrative Assistant and 糖心vlog视频 FOIA Officer, for further information.
Email: hmieloszyk@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3664
What changes are being made to our Diverse Learners programming starting in the 2025-26 school year?
Beginning next school year, there will be some positive changes made to several programs housed under our Multilingual Learners and Special Education departments.
The need for these changes ultimately arose from SD 308’s desire to ensure as many students as possible can attend their “home schools.” Because many of our programs are housed in different buildings throughout the district, students in certain Multilingual Learners or Special Education programs have historically attended schools other than their “home school.” Although some students will be moving schools with these upcoming changes, we are excited to offer this opportunity to our community.
If you have questions or concerns about SPED programming, please reach out to your school’s Special Education Program Administrator or Assistant Principal. For additional information or questions about SPED programs that may impact a student, contact Nicole Pieranunzi, Director of Special Education - Elementary, or Brad Verthein, Director of Special Education - Secondary.
Nicole Pieranunzi
Email: npieranunzi@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-4646
Brad Verthein
Email: bverthein@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-4370
Did the district tell the Unity Fields project 鈥渘o鈥� to a proposal?
Representatives from SD 308, the Village of Oswego, and the Oswego Park 糖心vlog视频 held several meetings with community members regarding a potential public-private partnership to develop athletic facilities. On October 7, 2025, the Board of Education directed the SD 308 Superintendent to request additional information from the Oswego Catalyst Group.
The district specifically requested:
- A detailed proposal
- A financial pro forma outlining the cost-benefit analysis
- Evidence of adequate investor support to ensure the facilities could be launched and maintained without taxpayer burden
However:
- The requested information was not provided
- Instead, the group requested $20,000 from each of the three public bodies ($60,000 total) to fund a feasibility study
- The proposed feasibility study company was the same entity being recommended for project management
- The public bodies were asked to commit these unbudgeted funds without standard procurement procedures
The public entities could not support this request due to:
- The significant unbudgeted expense
- The lack of a transparent and open process
- Concerns about fairness to other potential investors and developers
- The potential conflict of interest with the proposed feasibility study company
To be transparent and fair to the entire community, the district opened a Request for Proposal process in January, accepting ideas for the future of the “Old Traughber” property on Franklin. This is a common practice amongst public entities to ensure that agreements are unbiased and fair. One proposal was received; however, it was not from Unity Fields.
Please contact Raphael Obafemi, CFO and CSBO, for additional clarity.
Email: robafemi@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3180
What is the role and authority of a Board of Education member?
In brief, the school board is a unit of local government, whose members are not paid. It establishes direction, goals, and priorities for a school district and determines policy, budget, leadership, and administration.
Through its written policies, the board directs and empowers the superintendent to function as chief executive officer in managing and carrying out the day-to-day district operations and decisions. The board studies the needs of students and the community and bases its decisions on those needs.
Because a school board is an elected governmental body, it can take action only by majority vote at a public meeting. An individual board member has no authority other than the right to cast a vote at such a meeting. The purpose of a school board meeting is to transact the legal business of the school district through discussion and voting among the members.
The Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) has a guide to and a resource on .
Please contact Ursula Studer, Board Secretary, for additional information or resources.
Email: ustuder@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3084
Does the district have a contracted 鈥淒EI鈥� company?
The district engages with several organizations to offer continued learning for staff. One of these organizations is The Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center (MAP) Center. Through a Memo of Understanding (MOU), the center provides resources without cost to the district; the only expense is reimbursement of travel for trainers when on-site training is provided.
The MAP center provides technical assistance and training to help staff create an environment where all students feel secure, respected, and free to fully engage in the activities, opportunities, and services our schools provide.
Supporting schools in sustaining learning environments free from harassment, discrimination, and bullying is the responsibility of every public school educator and staff member under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This federal law requires that schools and any publicly funded educational institutions create nondiscriminatory spaces where students of all races, colors, and national origins can feel safe.
Please contact Dr. Jadon Waller, Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Engagement, with further questions.
Email: jwaller@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-4372
What is the difference between a Hold-in-Place and a Lockdown response?
When a school calls “Hold-in-Place” it instructs students and staff to remain in their existing location and does not allow movement in hallways. This is most often used in situations that require staff intervention for a medical or behavioral crisis. It can also be used at times when it's necessary for administration and/or police to search the building.
Lockdown is the most serious response, it indicates an active threat taking place. The response of students and staff depends on the information available to them. It could include barricading in a classroom, evacuating the building (through doors or windows), and when absolutely necessary, countering the attacker. This response can result in a prescribed but chaotic situation, when escaping an attacker is essential.
If you have additional questions, please contact Bailey Campbell, Director of Student Services for Special Programs, or Michael Frieders, Coordinator of School Safety and Security.
Bailey Campbell
Email: bcampbell@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3485
Michael Frieders
Email: mfrieders01@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-4639
What if I have questions regarding what my child is learning in the classroom?
SD 308 encourages parents to reach out to their child’s school regarding questions they have concerning learning in the classroom. Communications between families and school staff is integral to a child’s success.
Generally speaking, questions or concerns regarding a child’s academic progress in a classroom should first be discussed with the child’s teacher. If your questions are not adequately addressed, or you have a concern about the school, it should be directed to the principal. If additional escalation of the concern is necessary, the first points of contact at the district would be the Schools Department or Learning and Innovation Department.
Following the proper chain of command process ensures that all parties involved are properly informed of the situation. The closer to the issue someone is, the easier it is to come to a resolution and/or institute change.
Please contact John Francis, Executive Director of Schools, or Dr. Kristen Paul, Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Innovation, for additional information.
John Francis
Email: jfrancis@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-4677
Dr. Kristen Paul
Email: kpaul01@sd308.org
Phone: (630) 636-3667
How does the district determine when to utilize the Emergency Learning Plan?
The decision to cancel in-person learning is never made lightly; however, the safety of students and staff is of the utmost importance to SD 308. The district closely monitors weather forecasts to make decisions as early as possible, prioritizing travel safety to/from school buildings. Our district is vast, covering over 68 square miles, with several rural areas where blowing and drifting snow can make travel on untreated surfaces difficult.
It can be frustrating to parents if forecasts don’t bring the winter weather predicted, but waiting unit the last minute isn’t ideal for parents, or staff when having to make changes to the schedule. We know that no matter the decision, there will be people disappointed, its certainly a difficult call to make! We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of students, families, and staff when we utilize Emergency Learning Plans.
Questions? School principals can address many questions about schedules. However, you are welcome to contact the Schools Team for additional information:
Dr. Tammie Harmon, Executive Director of Elementary Education (Email: tharmon@sd308.org, Phone: (630) 636-3097)
Dr. Markisha Mitchell, Executive Director of Secondary Schools: (Email: mmitchell01@sd308.org, Phone: (630) 636-3080)
John Francis, Executive Director of Schools: (Email: jfrancis@sd308.org, Phone: (630) 636-4677)Does Superintendent Dr. Khelghati have his own website?
SD 308 Superintendent Dr. Khelghati, like many professionals, maintains a to track career highlights and give readers information about his core beliefs and experiences. He also uses it to provide contact information, including his personal phone number and email address. Dr. Khelghati built the site long before his arrival at SD 308.
Dr. Khelghati strongly believes in transparency and being accessible to the community he serves. All time and expenses associated with maintaining his personal website are paid for by him, no district resources are utilized.
