A Naperville Central High School orchestra teacher told the District 203 board Tuesday, Aug. 18, that he was placed on administrative leave for two and a half months, had his devices confiscated and was forced to undergo a psychological evaluation after advocating for Palestinian students affected by the crisis in Gaza.

Jeff Sturgeon's testimony came at the same meeting where the board unveiled "Forward Together," a year-long community engagement campaign the district says will rebuild trust through surveys and small-group sessions running through August 2027, the Chicago Tribune reported. The initiative is live on the district's website.

Sturgeon said he was reprimanded for holding a "Free Palestine" sign during a school video in which other students and staff displayed flags and symbols representing various nations, identities and causes. The evaluation, he said, included questions that were "inappropriate, hostile and unrelated to my fitness to teach."

His unexplained absence caused confusion and distress among his students and co-workers at Naperville Central.

Board President Charles Cush repeatedly banged his gavel and told Sturgeon his time had expired. The board then walked out for a brief recess. Board member Melissa Kelley Black remained in the room to listen.

The district has not publicly responded to Sturgeon's specific allegations. Superintendent Dan Bridges said at the meeting that privacy laws prevent comment on individual personnel matters.

'Forward Together' draws skepticism

Kelley Black challenged the campaign's premise, saying the district's problem is not a lack of community feedback but a lack of meaningful response to it. She questioned the timing and the absence of independent oversight.

Cush defended the initiative, saying smaller-group feedback would improve community input. "The more input we get, the better the output is going to be," he said.

The campaign announcement followed a contentious summer. On Aug. 3, the board voted 5-2 to extend Bridges' contract through June 30, 2031, with Kelley Black and board member Holly Blastic dissenting. Bridges told the community on Aug. 3, "I hear you; I understand your concerns. It will be my mission and my job to work hard to rebuild or build trust."

Parent complaints persist

District parent David Geslak repeated concerns he has raised since June about an elementary school teacher's alleged behavior, including growling at students, blowing in a child's ear and texting a family a video of their child from a personal phone on a Saturday night. Geslak said he reported the incidents nearly three years ago and that the district never referred the matter to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement.

Naperville City Councilman Josh McBroom, a district parent, told the board that parents "have not felt like 203 boards have heard them for a very long time."

Physician and mandated reporter Corlyne Mulder, an elementary parent, offered a counterpoint, saying her experience with the teacher in question does not match Geslak's allegations.

Families seeking details on the Forward Together engagement schedule can visit naperville203.org/forward-together.