Parent tells Oak Park D97 board district is blocking recordings of IEP meetings, cites IDEA

Megan Jackson, a parent, told the Board of Education for Oak Park Elementary School District 97 on Aug. 18 that the district has been denying parents the right to record Individualized Education Program meetings and is relying improperly on Illinois—s eavesdropping statute. Jackson said the district was notified on June 12 that parents intended to record an upcoming IEP meeting and that district staff responded that "it could not allow the recording without the, quote, unanimous consent, unquote, of all parties," citing the Illinois eavesdropping statute. She said a representative of the Illinois State Board of Education later told her that the state statute does not govern recordings of federally protected IEP meetings. Jackson said that at the June 16 IEP meeting staff pressured the family to stop recording when "certain staff spoke" and that the district later sent a purported recording policy that, according to Jackson, required families to submit medical documentation and to request permission five days in advance. Jackson said that policy was not shared before July 15, was not mentioned at the June 16 IEP meeting, has not been approved by the board and, she asserted, "has no basis in IDEA or Illinois law." The parent urged the board to direct district leadership to "immediately cease all interference with lawful IEP recordings and to develop and publicly approve a compliant policy without delay." She warned that if those steps do not occur, she will file a formal complaint with the Illinois State Board of Education. Why this matters: Recordings can help parents review discussions and decisions in IEP meetings and support participation in a federally protected process under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Jackson framed the district—s actions as a procedural-safeguards issue and called for a board-approved, publicly available policy that complies with federal and state law. The meeting record shows no formal board action on Jackson—s request during the Aug. 18 session. The board did not vote on or publicly discuss changing recording rules in the excerpt provided. The transcript indicates the concerns were raised during the public-comment portion of the agenda rather than as an agenda item. Clarifying details from the comment: Jackson said the notice to the district was sent on June 12; the contested IEP meeting occurred on June 16; the district—s alleged recording policy was first shared with the family on or around July 15; Jackson said the policy had not been board-approved. Jackson told the board she was told by an Illinois State Board of Education representative that the eavesdropping statute does not govern IEP-recording requests. Next steps: Jackson requested that the board direct leaders to stop intervening in lawful recordings and to produce a legally sound policy. She also said she would file a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Education if the district did not act.