Illinois school district DEI plan includes ‘racial segregation’ training

First on Fox: An Illinois school district full of faculty members celebrated and wished Charlie Kirk would die in 2026 has been revealed. Equity framework plan The district “aspires to” that includes recruiting and retaining staff with “diverse backgrounds” and mandatory training sessions for faculty and students in DEI.

The education advocacy organization revealed the Oswego District 308 equity roadmap through multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, highlighting a summary of the DEI annual report as well as the district’s 2026 DEI plan.

A Freedom of Information Act request detailing an equity report showed that one middle school in the district divided students by racial background, without notifying parents, as part of equity training sessions for staff in 2025.

After the session, which was held during “student support time,” the equity director wrote that she had identified her “challenges with being discriminated against on the basis of color” and that her next session would be with “those who identify as white.”

An Illinois school is under scrutiny after Freedom of Information Act requests revealed a 2026 equity framework that encourages DEI hiring, mandatory training, and holding student sessions based on race without notifying parents. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Erica Sanzi, communications director for Education Defense, told Fox News Digital that the district’s move to divide students into races could be considered “segregation.”

“Calling it a group with a racial affinity is just a nicer way of saying segregation — these equality groupings that divide students by the color of their skin are gratuitous, not to mention illegal,” Sanzi explained. “Regardless of intent, the ideology behind race-based programs and activities in schools is destructive and must be eradicated.”

The Equality Report also showed that high school departments held “content specific/equality” trainings, where students could participate in opportunities like lunch and learn about “LGBTQ+, immigrant attacks, and Ramadan.”

After the assassination By Charlie Kirk A report from the Kendall County Times revealed that Jadon A. Waller, the district’s K-8 supervisor of equity and engagement, posted on Facebook referring to Kirk as a “modern-day Klansman.”

“I see a lot of black people here intervening in the death of a modern-day Klansman…and I have to say I’m confused and disappointed. Who are you trying to make comfortable? Because it makes me uncomfortable.”

Waller posted under the name on Facebook as Ashley Jadon, according to the report.

Newly discovered records show the Illinois district is implementing race-focused equity trainings, diversity hiring priorities, and DEI conferences, while a top official sparked outrage over his social media posts about Charlie Kirk. (Beta Zorzel/Noor Photo via Getty Images)

According to the school district’s website, Waller still works in Oswego District 308.

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 training in elementary and middle schools and a DEI design team to “analyze and address inequalities in student academic achievement” and student discipline.

In an “Indicators of Success” heading where the results will be reflected in the following year’s report, the district is calling 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 first DEI conference called ASCEND!”

One equity statement says the district “will acknowledge the presence of racism in our schools and community,” and that “we will address the injustices that lead to racial inequities and work to educate and change behaviors” to promote inclusivity.

In addition to paying DEI in the classroom, the recruitment and retention portion of the plan pushes the district to “prioritize” diverse employees.

Oswego District 308 is facing backlash after reports that employees celebrated the death of Charlie Kirk and documents reveal equity initiatives including racial affinity groups and expanded DEI programming. (Getty Images/iStock)

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“We will prioritize recruitment, retention and… Upgrading administrators and employees With diverse backgrounds to ensure that our team of teachers reflects our student body,” the framework states.

A job advertisement for a high school principal in the school district, obtained by Education Defense, says the “right candidate” should “prioritize equity and legitimate attendance… throughout the district.”

Oswego District 308’s commitment to DEI doesn’t stop there. The district 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 ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of the communities we serve.”

From October 2023 to March 2024, during a previous partnership between the district and a separate organization, the school district spent taxpayer dollars on DEI supplies, including Pride Parade stickers and Pride Parade fees for participation.

The school district spent money to participate in the Pride Parade along with posters and materials. (Joshua Stanier/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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The previous partnership held training sessions for district staff and students where participants were asked to read “How Excellent I Am” and rate themselves on how privileged they are.

“Create a list of privileges related to P-12 settings for the group of students and adult teachers assigned to your team by listing the ways in which students and adults may experience systems of benefits or rights available to them based solely on their social identities,” the training instructions state.

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While these training sessions were held in the Illinois school district, the organization conducts similar exercises through partnerships with state and local educational agencies across the country.

Oswego District 308 did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Preston Maisel is a writer for Fox News. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and X @MizellPreston