The Lake Forest Education Association (LFEA) sent a letter to the Lake Forest School District 115 Board of Education warning about the financial dangers of keeping schools open after the Lake County Health Department recommended moving to remote learning because of a growing COVID-19 positivity rate. At tonight’s school board meeting, the LFEA will continue its call for an immediate switch to remote learning. On Thurs., Oct. 22, the BOE voted to keep the building open for in-person learning. On Tues., Oct. 20, the Lake County Health Department advised all schools in the county shift to virtual learning because of growing COVID-19 infection rates.

A letter sent to the school district on behalf of LFEA reads in part:

“Normally school districts and their employees are protected from personal liability by Section 105 ILCS 5/10-20.20 of the Illinois School Code, which protects against such liability for negligent actions which occur in the course of their employment. However, by ignoring the public health concerns presented by both the Illinois and the Lake County Boards of Health, the decision to continue in-person learning is potentially not mere negligence but may rise to the level of willful and wanton conduct and intentional action, removing the board and it’s administration from the statutory protections afforded in the statute.” The LFEA represents 158 teachers, social workers, psychologists and counselors in District 115, providing an education to the more than 1600 students of Lake Forest High School.