Image courtesy of the Town of Normal

NORMAL, Ill. – Unit 5 School Board met on Wednesday, and although neither topic was not on the official agenda, public comment dominated the meeting, with 15 speakers addressing two separate controversies that have recently stirred debate in the community.

Most speakers focused on a Normal Community High School civics teacher and girls soccer coach, Matt Chapman, who has drawn attention after wearing a shirt to school that read, “ABOLISH ICE,” a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Five public speakers mentioned social media posts made by Unit 5 board president Alex Williams. In these posts, Williams comments on the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Some Bloomington-Normal residents have since called for Williams to resign.

Oriah Matich, a junior at Normal West High School and the first person to comment on Chapman, was among eight speakers who voiced support for him.

“He has every right to wear an ‘abolish ICE’ t-shirt to school, a public school that abides by federal laws. He has every right to engage in his right to free speech,” Matich said. “There are 400 people gone, and people are worried about a man wearing an ‘abolish ICE’ t-shirt to a public school. There is no moral, ethical or lawful reason for the disparagement of Matt Chapman.”

Matich also brought attention to Pickering v. Board of Education, a 1968 supreme court case that determined a teacher could not be fired for expressing a political opinion.

Parent of two Pepper Ridge Elementary School students, Lauren Hany, urged the council to understand that Chapman’s actions were not harmful or done with bad intention.

“I’m concerned with what’s happening regarding our board and our teachers, their efforts to remove people from their roles, not because they are mistreating our children are not protecting them, and not because they are being unprofessional, but because they have personal opinions and are able to articulate and support them in an educated way,” Hany said. “A T shirt cannot indoctrinate children who have been supported and taught to think critically and for themselves. It can offer opportunity for constructive and respectful conversation about different viewpoints.”

Hany ended her speech by chanting, “Do not let them [Unit 5 students] down.”

Retired naval officer and Unit 5 parent Joshua Crowder, who has known Chapman since moving to Bloomington-Normal seven years ago, spoke in support of Chapman’s character.

“I have observed Matt to be one of the most kind and compassionate people I know. He genuinely cares about every player and students,” Crowder said. “In my Navy career, I worked for and with some great leaders, and I put Matt Chapman at the top of the best of them. He is a great leader of young people.”

Delia Allen, a junior at Normal West High School, said Chapman’s shirt did not violate the school’s dress code. She also shared her thoughts on the message she believes Chapman and the school board are trying to convey.

“ICE raids have impacted unified families and our broader community. Some of my classmates, whom I’ve known since kindergarten, are immigrants. By wearing that shirt, he is sending the message to his students that, regardless of immigration status, you are a cherished member of our community and of our schools, and we all belong here,” Allen said. “The message unit five and the normal community administrators are sending is that immigrant families don’t belong in our schools.”

Multiple commenters shared their concern over the social media posts Williams made. Parent of two Kingsley Junior High School students, Erik Pokarney, criticized Williams for his online comments.

“I expect more restraint and class out of someone elected to the position in which he holds. Mr. Williams, I find your words as biased, offensive and untrue,” Pokarney said. “I cannot sit on the sidelines and let anybody within this district bring party politics into the school. There’s absolutely no place for it.”

Pokarney ended his public comment by urging Williams to apologize for his actions.

“Either tell me to my face that I’m a right wing, misinformed, deplorable voter and a member of a cult, or just apologize for your blanket statements,” Williams said.

Parent of three Unit 5 School District students, Vince Buonassi, shared his reaction to seeing the post.

“I was appalled. His comments are completely out of line for someone in his position, and the same goes for anyone who has influence over students and the direction of their education,” Buonassi said.

Buonassi mentioned Chapman’s case by expressing disapproval for his actions as well as Williams.

“It’s not that Mr. Williams can’t or isn’t allowed to express his opinion. It’s that he shouldn’t have,” Buonassi said. “In this case, I’d say the same thing about Matt Chapman too. I suppose someone in their positions should know better and refrain from partisan politics from educators for children should be off limits or taboo.”

Unit 5 School Board meetings are held once a month at Normal West High School. The next meeting will take place Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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