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Navigating Cherokee Elementary's Declining Scores

Jeffrey Brincat

Over the past year, Cherokee Elementary has faced mounting concerns from parents and staff about persistent behavioral disruptions, declining academic performance, and questionable spending practices. These challenges demand urgent attention, yet the district's response has raised additional concerns about its focus on optics rather than solutions.


Behavioral Disruptions at Cherokee Elementary: A Missed Opportunity for Real Solutions

Reports from parents and staff highlight frequent behavioral disruptions at Cherokee, often leading to the evacuation of entire classrooms. These incidents disrupt learning for all students while failing to address the underlying causes. Despite repeated concerns raised by the community, the district has relied on surface-level strategies rather than implementing targeted, evidence-based interventions.


Instead of directly addressing these issues, the district has emphasized managing public perception. Initiatives such as "Coffee with Kate" and Instagram photo opportunities under the "Sail for Success" program present an image of engagement but do little to resolve the pressing challenges within Cherokee's classrooms.


Cherokee Elementary's Declining Academic Performance

Data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) reveals a troubling decline in Cherokee's academic performance:


  • ELA Scores: In 2019, 66.4% of students met or exceeded state standards. By 2024, this had dropped to 46.7%, a 30% decline.

  • Math Scores: Similarly, 79.1% of students met or exceeded standards in 2019, compared to 59.3% in 2024—a 25% decline.


Meanwhile, Sheridan and Everett have shown significant growth during the same period:


  • Sheridan ELA: Improved from 57.8% in 2019 to 74.1% in 2024 (+28%).

  • Everett ELA: Rose from 53.5% in 2019 to 69.5% in 2024 (+30%).


These stark disparities suggest that Cherokee's challenges stem not from a lack of resources but from how those resources are utilized.


Rising Spending Without Results

While academic performance at Cherokee has declined, site-based spending has risen sharply:


  • Gross Spending Growth: Cherokee's total expenditures increased from $5.94 million in 2019 to $8.24 million in 2024—a 38.7% increase.


Despite this dramatic rise in spending, the district has allocated significant resources to costly consulting firms and PR-focused initiatives like "Sail for Success" rather than leveraging the expertise of its teachers and staff to develop targeted, evidence-based solutions.






Spending at Cherokee rose 38.7% from 2019 to 2024, yet ELA scores dropped 30%, and Math scores fell 25%. More funding, worse outcomes.
Spending at Cherokee rose 38.7% from 2019 to 2024, yet ELA scores dropped 30%, and Math scores fell 25%. More funding, worse outcomes.

A Path Forward: Substance Over Optics

For Cherokee to succeed, the district must shift its focus from optics to outcomes. This involves:


  1. Behavioral Interventions: Implementing on-call behavioral support staff, designated de-escalation spaces, and tailored behavior plans to minimize disruptions without evacuating entire classrooms.

  2. Utilizing Internal Expertise: Empowering the district's teachers, counselors, and staff to design and implement effective strategies instead of relying on expensive external consulting groups.

  3. Data-Driven Resource Allocation: Ensuring that every dollar spent is directed toward interventions that improve student outcomes.

  4. Replicating Success: Analyzing and applying the strategies that have driven growth at Sheridan and Everett.


Community Accountability

Cherokee families and staff deserve transparency, accountability, and meaningful solutions—not Instagram photo ops and PR-driven campaigns. The time has come to prioritize students' well-being and academic success over appearances.


As a community, we must advocate for a shift from superficial optics to substantive action. Cherokee students, families, and educators deserve nothing less.

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