WOODLAWN, IL — A group of around 150 school leaders from across the state of Illinois formed a ‘Make-It Local’ group this summer to meet virtually and discuss current events with each of their districts. This group, as the name might indicate, is pushing for local decision-making to be brought back to school boards and school administration that know what is in the best interest of staff and students at these schools.

Tuesday, an op-ed letter was signed and released by this group explaining from their point-of-view how the control and decision-making process has slowly been taken away from school districts not only since March of 2020 at a much more rapid pace because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but before that, over time, and through past administrations.

Eric Helbig is the Superintendent at Woodlawn Schools.

You can view the editorial in full at the link to this story on our website, wmix94.com/wdml.com. Fifteen schools in the Regional Office of Education #13 have signed in support, including the ROE Office itself. In addition to the ROE #13 schools and Woodlawn High School, six others here in Jefferson County have signed: Mt. Vernon Township High School, Rome, Field, Bluford, and Spring Garden.