Illinois school district DEI plan includes ‘racial segregation’ training
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FIRST ON FOX: An Illinois school district filled with faculty celebrating and hoping for the death of Charlie Kirk has revealed the district’s “targeted” 2026 equity framework plan, which includes hiring and retaining staff from “diverse backgrounds” and mandatory DEI training sessions for faculty and students.
Defending Education uncovered Oswego District 308’s equity roadmap through various Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests; this featured an annual report summary on DEI as well as spotlighting the district’s 2026 DEI plan.
A FOIA request detailing an equity report showed that a middle school in the area segregated students by racial origin without notifying parents as part of equity training sessions for staff in 2025.
The Equity Director wrote after the session held during “Student Support Time” that he identified “the challenges of being discriminated against because of color” and that the next session would be “with those who self-identify as White.”
A school district in Illinois is under scrutiny after FOIA requests revealed a 2026 equity framework that encouraged DEI hiring, mandatory training and race-based student sessions held without parental notification. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Defending Education Senior Director of Communications Erika Sanzi told Fox News Digital that the district’s move to separate students into races could be considered “discrimination.”
“Calling it a racial affinity group is a nicer way of saying racial discrimination; these equality meetings that segregate students based on their skin color are not only illegal, they are unjustified,” Sanzi explained. “Regardless of intent, the ideology behind race-based programs and activities in schools is destructive and must be eradicated.”
The equity report also showed that high school departments are holding “special content/equity” trainings where students can take advantage of opportunities like lunch and learn about “LGBTQ+, Migroaggressions, Ramadan.”
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a report by the Kendall County Times revealed that Jadon A. Waller, the district’s Superintendent of Equity and Inclusion for grades K-8, made a Facebook post referring to Kirk as “a modern-day Klansman.”
“I see a lot of Black people here intervening in the death of a modern-day Klans man… and I have to say I’m confused and disappointed. Who are you trying to reassure? Because it bothers me.”
According to the report, Waller posted on Facebook under the name Ashley Jadon.
Newly revealed records show an Illinois district implemented race-focused equity training, diversity hiring priorities and DEI conferences, while a top administrator’s social media posts about Charlie Kirk sparked outrage. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Waller still works for Oswego District 308, according to the school district’s website.
Waller did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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As for the 2026 outlook, the report showed plans for DEI education in elementary and secondary schools and a DEI Design Team that will “analyze and address disparities in student academic achievement and student discipline.”
In a “success indicators” rubric, the results of which will be reflected in next year’s report, the district calls on elementary and middle school teacher leaders and administrators to “facilitate at least two of their DEI trainings by the end of the year.”
The Illinois school district also plans to “partner with surrounding districts and Waubonsee Community College to host our 1st DEI Conference called ASCEND!”
One of the equity statements says the district will “recognize the existence of racism in our schools and communities” and that we will “address injustices that lead to racial disparities and work to educate and change behaviors” to promote inclusion.
In addition to pushing DEI in the classroom, the recruitment and retention portion of the plan forces the district to “prioritize” diverse hires.
Oswego District 308 faced backlash following reports that staff celebrated the death of Charlie Kirk and documents revealing equity initiatives including racial affinity groups and expanded DEI programming. (Getty Images/iStock)
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“We will prioritize the recruitment, retention and development of administrators and staff from diverse backgrounds to ensure that our team of educators reflects our student community,” the framework states.
A job posting obtained by Defending Education for a high school principal in the school district says the “right candidate” must “prioritize equity and rightful presence throughout the district.”
Oswego District 308’s commitment to DEI doesn’t end there. The district has proposed a $75,000 grant to the Board of Education to partner with an organization for a residency program that “recruits and retains new teachers who reflect the racial, cultural and linguistic diversity of the communities we serve.”
From October 2023 through March 2024, during a previous partnership between the district and a separate entity, the school district spent taxpayer dollars on DEI supplies, including pride parade stickers and a pride parade fee for participation.
The school district spent money to participate in the pride parade, along with stickers and materials. (Joshua Stanyer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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The previous partnership held training sessions for district staff and students; from the participants “How Privileged Am I?” They were asked to read the article and rank themselves according to how privileged they were.
“Create a privilege list relevant to K-12 settings for the group of student and adult educators assigned to your team by listing the ways students and adults experience benefits or rights systems available to them based solely on their social identity,” the training instructions read.
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While these trainings take place in the Illinois school district, the organization conducts similar exercises in partnerships with state and local education agencies across the country.
Oswego Precinct 308 did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Preston Mizell is a writer for Fox News. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and X @MizellPreston.
