A school district in Illinois, which recently saw staff members expressing hostility towards Charlie Kirk’s death, is now under scrutiny for its 2026 Equity Framework Plan. This plan encompasses hiring and retaining staff from “diverse backgrounds,” making DEI training mandatory for both staff and students, among other initiatives.
The educational organization Defending Education uncovered Oswego District 308’s equity plan through multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, shedding light on its annual DEI report and future strategies.
One FOIA request revealed that the district’s middle schools had intended to segregate students by race as part of a training session in 2025, without informing parents about this approach.
During a session labeled “Student Support Time,” the Equity Director discussed the “challenges of racial discrimination” and mentioned that the next meeting would involve participants identifying as “white.”
Erica Sange, from Defending Education, commented on the district’s decision to separate students by race, calling it possible “racial discrimination.” She expressed concern that labeling these groups as “racial affinity groups” could be seen as a subtle form of racism, and noted that such initiatives, no matter their intent, are ultimately harmful.
Additionally, high school departments are permitted to hold “content-specific/equity” training sessions in which students can engage in discussions on topics like “LGBTQ+, microaggressions, and Ramadan.” Following Charlie Kirk’s death, a local report highlighted that Jadon A. Waller, the equity and engagement director for kindergarten through eighth grade, referred to Kirk as a “modern-day Klansman” in a Facebook post.
Waller’s posts raised eyebrows, particularly when stating, “I see so many black people weighing in on the deaths of modern-day Klansmen… and I have to say I’m perplexed and disappointed.” Reports indicate Waller used the name Ashley Jadon on social media.
Despite the backlash, Waller is still employed by Oswego School District 308, and he has not publicly commented on these allegations.
As the district looks towards 2026, the report details DEI training aims for elementary and middle schools, emphasizing the need to “analyze and address inequities in student achievement and discipline.” Furthermore, the district’s “Measures of Success” metrics indicate expectations for teacher leaders and administrators to conduct at least two DEI training sessions annually.
In collaboration with nearby school districts and Waubonsie Community College, Oswego plans to host the inaugural DEI conference named ASCEND. The district has openly acknowledged racism’s presence within its schools and committed to combating inequities through education and cultural change.
The recruitment segment of the plan further emphasizes prioritizing diverse hiring practices among educators to better reflect the student body’s diversity.
Moreover, a job posting for a high school principal indicated that a suitable candidate should focus on equity throughout the district. Oswego’s DEI initiatives are extensive, including a proposed $75,000 grant for a partnership aimed at enhancing recruitment and retention of teachers reflective of the community’s diversity. Previous funding for DEI initiatives led to expenses related to participation in Pride parades and purchasing related materials.
Earlier partnerships involved training where staff and students ranked their privileges based on predetermined social identities. Training instructions directed participants to create lists detailing how various social identifiers impact access to rights and benefits.
While these practices emerged in Illinois, similar approaches are promoted nationwide through collaborations with local educational agencies. Oswego District 308 did not respond to requests for comments on the matter.
