In compliance with state law, TTHS D205 addresses immigration policy after criticism

Thornton Township High Schools District 205 Superintendent Nathaniel Cunningham, Jr. addressed concerns surrounding immigration enforcement during the Thornton Township High Schools District 205 board meeting on May 13.

Earlier this year, Thornton alumna Christina Gutierrez requested that the district establish a stricter policy managing interactions with federal agents along with staff training and communicating with families regarding the policy.

Cunningham, Jr. denied that the district failed to take meaningful action in response to immigration-related issues and follow legal guidance. “The district has not avoided the issue,” Cunningham, Jr. said. “Far from it. The district has addressed it proactively with a clear focus on ensuring the rights of the students and families are fully protected.”

Cunningham, Jr. said that the district consulted legal counsel around the time of the 2025 presidential inauguration, where Donald Trump was sworn in. On the campaign trail, Trump promised increased enforcement. Based on legal advice, the district issued written directives to school leaders and office staff on handling law enforcement requests, according to Cunningham, Jr. This includes verification identification, permissible access to buildings, and the protection of student records.

The Safe Schools for All requires schools to implement formal procedures for law enforcement interactions by July 1. Gutierrez previously claimed the district failed to do so by the deadline. 

“What does concern the board, however, is the effect of repeatedly raising the issue in a public setting without factual basis,” Cunningham, Jr. said. “Doing so draws unnecessary attention to vulnerable students and families who have done nothing to invite such increased and unwarranted scrutiny.”

Gutierrez returned to the podium for public comment saying that the district did not mention her three requests in their response and clarified that she previously referred to the Illinois Bivens Act, not Safe Schools for All. 

The Illinois Bivens Act, or House Bill 1312, is a state legislation enacted in December 2025 that acts as a reactive legal sword, granting individuals the explicit right to file civil lawsuits for financial damages against any official who violates their constitutional rights during a civil immigration action. 

The board did not respond in detail during the meeting, but Cunningham, Jr. repeated several times that he addressed Gutierrez’s concerns in his earlier statement. However, Gutierrez added that she will submit a formal petition.

Capital infrastructure improvements

The district is proceeding with the first phase of its campus-wide renovation project.

Building and grounds coordinator Gregory Crump requested the board’s approval to authorize two 10-day abatement consulting contracts — one with Midwest Environment Consulting Services valued at $207,633, and another with Speciality Consulting valued at $39,730. Midwest Environment Consulting will serve Thoronton and Thornridge while Speciality Consulting will serve only Thornwood. 

Crump also requested the approval of flooring material purchases for all three schools. The contractor, Mohawk Carpet Distribution, will serve all schools for a total of $329,559 with an unknown contract term. All requests were unanimously approved.

IB program presentation

International Baccalaureate coordinators from Thornton Township High School and Thornwood High School presented program data showing growth and student success. Thornton IB Coordinator Brad Ablin said nearly 100 students are projected to enroll in IB next year — the highest in the program’s history — with 69 percent of participants earning at least one college credit since the program began.

“Over the first nine years, now going into 10 years, we’ve had 45 IB diplomas that have been earned and college credit that have been earned in 456 courses,” Abbott said.

Thornwood IB Coordinator Jennifer Wells reported passing rates in core IB courses last year — 86 percent in art, 65 percent in Spanish with three perfect scores, 55 percent for language and literature, and 50 percent for both history and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS). Over 80 percent of IB students received college credit in one or more classes with some attending elite universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Northwestern.

“I put any of these scores against an AP class score, and I’m telling you, we are winning,” Wells said.