Parkview Christian Academy seeks temporary restraining order against ISBE over Pritzker’s mask mandate

Following the removal of its state recognition, Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville has filed paperwork in Kendall County seeking a temporary restraining order against the Illinois State Board of Education over the governor’s statewide mask mandate.

Parkview Christian, a K-12 school along Countryside Parkway in Yorkville, previously announced its intent to hold its school year without acknowledging the statewide mask mandate in a letter sent to ISBE on Aug. 23. Gov. JB Pritzker in early August declared a mask mandate, requiring all students and staff in public and private schools to wear masks while inside, regardless of vaccination status.

ISBE revoked Parkview Christian’s recognition on ISBE Aug. 24. Consequences for the removal of the school’s recognition include eliminating the school’s ability to participate in Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association sanctioned sports, blocking its participation in the Invest in Kids Act tax scholarship program, and ISBE will not recognize diplomas for graduating seniors.

A hearing over the school’s request for a temporary restraining order delaying ISBE’s enforcement of its decision is scheduled in a Kendall County courtroom at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, Sept. 15. A hearing to contest ISBE’s actions in removing Parkview’s recognition is scheduled for December.

Parkview is seeking “due process”, Parkview Christian Academy School Board President Jed Davis said in a phone interview on Friday.

“ISBE just kind of out on their own whim or inkling, kind of just cut the cord from Parkview,” Davis said. “That, I do not believe, has any legal standing in a courtroom, which we will find out here shortly, because there is a method outlined in their own state statutes and laws to say, ‘This is how you go about pulling recognition for a school’.”

In a letter to Parkview, State Superintendent Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, referenced a section of the Illinois Administrative Code that lays out how the recognition of a nonpublic school can be pulled.

“A nonpublic school’s recognition status may be changed by the State Superintendent at any time to reflect information confirmed during compliance monitoring or by any other means,” the code reads. “Except in instances in which the State Superintendent determines there is an emergency situation present at a school, no school may have its recognition removed by an administrative action without first having been placed on probation.”

Davis said his hope for Wednesday’s court appearance is that the judge will grant the temporary restraining order — reinstating Parkview’s recognition and restoring its access to the IHSA/IESA, diplomas, and the Invest in Kids Act.

If the temporary restraining order is granted, it would apply until Parkview can have a formal court hearing contesting the removal of its recognition with ISBE, currently scheduled for December.

“The consequences we’re willing to face and deal with, that we think it’s worth, are real,” Davis said.

When asked why the case was filed in Kendall County Court and not in Sangamon County, where Springfield is located, Davis said that it is because this is a local matter.

“We wanted to bring it locally, here, in Kendall County because it’s a Kendall County school with Kendall County staff, Kendall County parents, Kendall County students,” Davis said. “This is a local issue, and it impacts local families. So I think it is fair and proper for a local judge to have a voice in the matter.”

The Illinois State Board of Education did not return requests for comment in time for publication.