The Superintendent’s Response Made a Bad Situation Worse

We want to begin by expressing our deepest gratitude to the father who stood up at last night’s board meeting to defend not only his own child, but all of our children. His address was emotional and difficult to hear, but necessary. It reflected the pain his family has endured and gave voice to concerns that many parents in this community have been carrying for far too long.

We also want to thank the many parents and community members who showed up in support of this family and demonstrated something important: in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, we do not look away when a child is harmed. We show up for one another.

Why the Superintendent Response Made a Bad Situation Worse

Last night, many of us left the meeting hoping the superintendent would respond with humility — acknowledging the pain this family has endured, affirming the community’s concerns, and committing to do better. What we received instead was a letter that many parents experienced as disappointing, deflective, and lacking the empathy this moment called for.

That is why so many parents now feel the superintendent's response made a bad situation worse rather than beginning the work of rebuilding trust.

Click to Read Dr. Montgomery's Letter

The Most Troubling Parts of the Superintendent’s Letter

The most troubling part of the superintendent’s message was not simply what it said, but what it implied. When the letter stated that “aspects of the public narrative may not fully align” with the district’s review, many parents heard not reassurance, but an attempt to cast doubt on concerns voiced publicly by a traumatized family and echoed by the broader community.

Likewise, when the letter warned that “information can spread quickly, especially through social media” and that incomplete information can lead to misunderstandings, it missed the central point entirely: parents are frustrated precisely because they too often have to rely on outside channels to learn about serious safety matters in the first place.

And when the community was asked to “avoid speculation” and “model the respect and responsibility we expect from our students,” many parents felt they were being lectured rather than heard. At a moment that called for empathy, accountability, and reassurance, that language only deepened the sense of hurt and alienation.

Privacy Does Not Explain Why the Superintendent's Response Made a Bad Situation Worse

To be clear, we understand that privacy laws limit what can be shared publicly about student discipline. But privacy does not excuse tone-deaf leadership, and it does not explain away the broader breakdown of trust that so many families are feeling.

Parents are not upset because they expect every disciplinary detail to be made public. Parents are upset because confidence in district leadership has been badly damaged, and the superintendent’s letter did nothing to restore it. If anything, many now believe the superintendent's response made a bad situation worse.

What Happens Next

In light of this, we are reaching out individually to board members to ask whether they agree with the tone and framing of the superintendent’s letter. If they do not, we believe the community deserves a clarification — and a response that more fully reflects the seriousness of what was expressed last night.

We will update you as we hear back. If board members choose not to respond, the community deserves to know that as well.

A Community That Still Showed Up

As frustrating as this moment is, please do not give in to defeat. What we witnessed last night was a powerful outpouring of support for a family in pain and a clear sign that this community is paying attention.

Parents showed up. Neighbors showed up. This community showed up.

Thank you,

Frank, Jeff, and Philippe