Superintendent Russell Ragon and Director of Human Resources Christine Ruddy resigned late last week “for personal reasons,” according to an email the Manhattan Elementary District 114 Board sent to families sent Saturday.
“As we navigate the next steps, we ask that our staff focus on what they do best, teaching the students of Manhattan 114. As a board, we are working to appoint an interim and will update you as we proceed in this process,” according to the email.
Ruddy declined to comment on her resignation Tuesday. Ragon and each board member did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Their resignations came just days after the board approved a new policy Feb. 14 that led to the removal of a bulletin board displaying hearts with LGBTQ symbols at Wilson Creek School.
The policy states bulletin board materials should be “viewpoint-neutral, age-appropriate, and contribute to a positive learning environment.” Material on bulletin boards should not disrupt the educational process, violate the rights or invade the privacy of others, infringe on trademark or copyright or be defamatory, according to the policy.
The bulletin board at Wilson Creek School in Manhattan, which serves preschool through second grade students, had 12 hearts on it, two that read “open hearts” and “open minds” and 10 hearts with different colors. The display includes one heart with a rainbow design and a design with a white stripe and pink and blue stripes on both sides.
A rainbow flag is a symbol of the LGBTQ community, while the transgender pride flag has a white stripe with light pink and blue stripes on either side.
Ragon read a statement ahead of the board’s vote saying teachers don’t teach students about gender identity or sexual orientation, so the new policy will align bulletin boards with the curriculum.
“The aim of this policy is to ensure consistency between what is taught in the classrooms and what is displayed publicly, while also avoiding political topics or other items that could be deemed as divisive,” Ragon said.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
