DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Nearly 20 Arab Americans attended a Crestwood School Board meeting here Monday raising concerns over the possibility that the school district discriminated against Arab Americans in the hiring process, and isn’t providing non-English speaking students with proper education services. 

The meeting comes one week after Hiam Brinjikji, a Crestwood High School teacher and counselor filed complaints against the school district accusing it of discrimination and retaliation. Brinjikji alleges those who came forth and complained about students not receiving adequate English Second Language (ESL) services were disciplined. Brinjikji says there needs to be more than one certified ESL teacher to meet the needs of the significant Arabic speaking demographic the district serves. Crestwood Board of Education President Donna Ancinec said the school district hires ESL staff based on its needs, and does what it can within the limits of its budget.  The district reportedly has up to six bilingual tutors serving students. “The truth has a way of coming out…People can say whatever they want to say, and people are going to believe what they want to believe,” she said. 

School Board Vice President, Ron Panetta said he’s never heard parents who attended the meeting complain about their children’s education before. “I would have expected to hear from many of you over the past months, weeks, years. And we haven’t heard from one of you, so it doesn’t make a lot of sense in my mind,” he said. 

Parents and other school officials say they’ve voiced their concerns on the issues for years, and were ignored. Brinjikji said she’s been complaining since 2006. Her claims are being backed by Bill Ebbitt and Joann Kohler who are also counselors in the district. 

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission are currently investigating Brinjikji’s complaints.  

Addressing the school board, one Arab American woman complained that she applied for a position in 2008, and still hasn’t received a call despite completing her student teaching in the district. She says only one other person applied for the position. The woman was offered two job opportunities in other school districts. 

Ancinec said the district doesn’t look at race, creed or ethnic origin in the hiring process, but rather an applicants qualifications. “I can say that I know we’re doing our best to accommodate at every level from elementary, middle to high school…Whether it’s through a… tutor…certified teacher, they’re being addressed,”Ancinec said. 

Brinjikji said bilingual students have complained about not getting enough help, and many have performed poorly in school as a result. 

“Whoever sits on this board represents us, and it’s very important we bring our concerns to you, and we hold you accountable for what’s going to happen. We put our faith in you to make sure things are done, and they’re done correctly,” said Zaineb Hussein addressing the school board. Hussein is the chair of an equal opportunity committee. 

One parent at the meeting worried that the funds provided to the district for the ESL program are not being used correctly. Haidar Abouze says the district might be getting money to hire more than one certified ESL teacher.  

Board members promised that they would have additional answers to the questions raised at the next meeting which is expected to be Mar. 12 at Crestwood High School Library. 

 “I want everyone to be proud of this district, and come to the meetings if there’s something wrong. If you don’t succeed we don’t succeed.” Board Secretary Colleen Krizanic said.