Grundy Reporter

Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 is facing criticism for launching its "Campus Cultural Leadership" program, which aims to foster “cultural leadership” among select students from Minooka Intermediate and Junior High.

The program, designed to explore issues such as racial and social injustice, has sparked online debates, with some accusing the district of promoting politics over education.

“Looks like Minooka is training their future leaders in CRT (critical race theory), Marxism, and Communism,” Ralph Gomez said on X.

Campus Cultural Leadership form | Provided

The issue was brought to the awareness of advocacy group Awake Illinois via a post on X.

While the district contends that the "Campus Cultural Leadership" program addresses critical issues, critics argue the Illinois school system has a history of prioritizing social promotion over literacy, emphasizing "racial equity" programs that may overlook academic deficiencies.

The “Campus Cultural Leadership” program aims to develop a select group of student leaders from Minooka Intermediate and Junior High, nominated by staff members who recognize their potential for “cultural leadership.”

In a handout to students, the district outlined the structure of the CCL Program, which involves a series of four seminars facilitated by sponsors and trainers.

“Participation in the program is designed to help discover how racial injustice and social injustice impact our community and to identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination,” the handout reads.

The key topics to be discussed include the “Cycle of Socialization,” “Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions,” “Architecture of Oppressions (Racism, Sexism, Classism),” “Social Justice Behavior and Actions,” “A Community of ‘We,’" and an “Action Plan to address issues of oppression for a more equitable school and community.”

The program is sponsored by Minooka Intermediate teacher Cathy Tadey and Steve Warcholek at Minooka Junior High School.

Warcholek serves as the school counselor for Minooka CCSD 201.

Minooka CCSD 201 serves a young population attending Aux Sable, Jones Elementary, Minooka Elementary, Minooka Intermediate, Minooka Junior High, Minooka Primary Center and Walnut Trails.

Notably, 87.5% of black third graders attending the Minooka CCSD 201 school district failed the 2021 state English exam, indicating a significant struggle in core literacy skills crucial for future success.

A Wirepoints report argues that the Illinois school system prioritizes social promotion over literacy for black students, with the report suggesting that a focus on "racial equity" programs contributes to overlooking academic deficiencies and emphasizing vague outcomes like diversity and equity.

The student population in Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 is composed of 67.9% White, 21.7% Hispanic/Latino, 4.7% Black, 1.3% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native and 4.3% identifying as two or more races.