How We Got Here
Several weeks ago, we began receiving emails and messages from Cherokee parents of nine-year-olds upset over an HIV video they were shown in school. The footage reportedly included sensitive discussions about HIV. These parents had already gone to administration and were frustrated with the vague responses they received- going so far as to accuse one administrator of lying- so we agreed to perform an investigation to get to the bottom of things.

While we would have preferred to request and receive the lesson plan for the HIV video through a simple email exchange, Dr. Montgomery has ordered his staff to correspond only with us through the FOIA process. So, we told parents it would be five business days before we could provide them with the lesson plan.
To our dismay, Lake Forest Schools again blocked our FOIA requests, and we were tasked with sharing the disappointing news to parents that, regretfully, it would be a month before we would even receive a response. They were understandably frustrated and angry, and so were we.
Why This Matters
Transparency is the foundation of trust in public education, yet Lake Forest School District has fostered a culture of concealment—blocking FOIA requests, withholding curriculum details, and suppressing parental input. When schools operate behind closed doors, accountability vanishes, and trust erodes. Like elections and the justice system, schools must not only be fair but also appear fair to maintain legitimacy. Transparency in finances, student performance, and curriculum is essential, yet the district continues obstructing access to vital information. As a result, Lake Forest School District's reputation surrounding transparency is rapidly deteriorating under an administration that prioritizes secrecy over openness. It's gotten so bad that even the Attorney General's Office has noticed, and Lake Forest Schools now faces two open state investigations for the first time in history.
This article exposes the growing crisis and what you can do to demand honesty, accountability, and real change.
The Growing Transparency Crisis in Lake Forest Schools
Instead of fostering trust, secrecy, obstruction, and suppression erode Lake Forest School District's reputation. Consider the following:
Lack of Curriculum Transparency
Parents have demanded full online access to Lake Forest Schools' curriculum for Districts 67 and 115 courses (unit maps, lesson plans, assessment details, and supplemental materials) for years. Yet despite repeated requests, the district has refused to provide this basic level of transparency, leaving parents in the dark about what their children are being taught.
When we requested to view the curriculum, we received invitations to come to the school and look at it under the supervision of an academic chair.
Yes, really.
As mentioned earlier, this lack of transparency came to a head when a controversial HIV video show to fourth graders at Cherokee Elementary sparked outrage. As a result, close to a dozen parents asked us to investigate, and as you would expect, our FOIA request for the lesson plan resulted in a twenty-business-day extension and fee charges.
Rather than proactively sharing curriculum details, the district has forced Parents Care to fight for parents' rights to information that should already be public.
FOIA Obstruction and Lack of Accountability
Government transparency laws exist to ensure that public institutions are open and responsive to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. However, Lake Forest School District transparency is actively being obstructed through a policy of delays, redactions, and refusals.

Concerned citizens seeking public records often face:
🚫 Unreasonable delays before receiving requested information.
🚫 Excessive redactions that remove critical content.
🚫 Flat-out refusals to comply with FOIA laws.
As a result, the Illinois Attorney General’s office has TWO open investigations into the district’s failure to comply with FOIA requirements. Instead of embracing transparency,
Suppressing Parental Input and Ignoring Concerns
A school district that values transparency should welcome parental involvement, not suppress it. Yet, in Lake Forest, the administration continues to shut down meaningful parental engagement by:
Downplaying or covering up sexual misconduct scandals.
Burying consultant reports that should be publicly reviewed.
Restricting public comments at board meetings to control the narrative.
Rather than working collaboratively with parents, Lake Forest School District's transparency is undermined by bureaucratic stonewalling and misdirection.
How to Restore Lake Forest School District Transparency
If Lake Forest School District transparency is to be restored, the administration must commit to genuine openness and accountability.
This includes:
✅ Full curriculum access – Parents should be able to view exactly what their children are learning without roadblocks.
✅ FOIA compliance – The district must end its pattern of obstruction and follow transparency laws.
✅ Accountability for past failures – Scandals and hidden reports must be addressed, not buried.
✅ Genuine parental engagement – Parents should be included in conversations about their children's education, not silenced.
Final Thoughts: Why Lake Forest School District Transparency Matters
Without transparency, public trust erodes, and accountability disappears. If Lake Forest School District's transparency continues to decline, the damage may become irreversible.
Our schools exist to serve students, families, and the public—not to protect the interests of a select few behind closed doors. It’s time for Lake Forest Schools to embrace true transparency—
Transparency in education benefits everyone—parents, students, and taxpayers alike. The community must take an active role in restoring Lake Forest School District's reputation surrounding transparency. Parents should continue to demand full curriculum access, hold the district accountable for FOIA compliance, and engage in school board meetings to push for open communication. Taxpayers should scrutinize how their money is spent and advocate for financial transparency in school operations. By working together, we can create a school system that values openness, accountability, and trust—ensuring that Lake Forest Schools serve all families fairly and honestly. Now is the time to speak up, stay informed, and demand the transparency parents and taxpayers deserve- without it, trust is lost, and it’s nearly impossible to get back once it's gone.
While we understand that much of this news may be discouraging and frustrating, we will continue defending your right to know what is being taught, how schools are performing, and how your money is being spent.
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