Alliance Defending Freedom
Local Alert
📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026 to Calendar
📄 View Official Agenda
We reviewed the upcoming agenda for Waukegan CUSD 60 and identified 2 items with potential legal exposure ahead of the vote.
HIGH VIABILITY (LEVEL 7)
Requires Verification

First Reading of Equity-Based Grading Policy
📅 October 27, 2026
The board is conducting a first reading of Board Policy 5212, a grading policy update described as a correction following an ‘Equity Policy review.’ The text of the proposed policy is not provided, but such policies can compel teachers to adopt specific grading practices that may violate their professional judgment and free speech rights.
Intake Action

PULL THE DOCUMENT: Item 18.B is a first reading of Policy 5212. Retrieve the proposed policy text from the district immediately and calendar the second reading. Analyze for compelled speech or due process violations for teachers.

⚖️ Legal Hook: First Amendment – Compelled Speech
MONITOR (LEVEL 5)
Requires Verification

Renewal of Newsela Curriculum for Grades 6-12
📅 October 27, 2026
The board is approving a $149,932.30 contract renewal for Newsela, described on the consent agenda as a ‘culturally relevant’ literacy resource. Materials from this vendor may contain content that promotes contested ideologies or compels student or teacher speech as a condition of participation.
Intake Action

RECORDS REQUEST: Item 10.A approves a renewal for Newsela. Submit a public records request for a representative sample of the ‘culturally relevant’ materials being used in ELA, Social Studies, and Science to assess for compelled speech or viewpoint discrimination.

⚖️ Legal Hook: First Amendment – Compelled Speech
District Leadership
Address 1201 N Sheridan Rd, Waukegan, IL 60085
“Contending in the courts of man, in reverence for the courts of God.”
Alliance Defending Freedom is the world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, parental rights, and God’s design for marriage and family.

Alliance Defending Freedom

Powered by Sentinel Engine