Central CUSD 301 board censures president, refers possible removal after dispute over handling of former member's resignation and student-record matter

The Central CUSD 301 Board of Education voted in open session to censure Board President Jeff Gorman and referred a recommendation to remove him to the Regional Office of Education after public comment and lengthy board debate about a meeting with former board member Fred Vogt and an alleged student-records disclosure.

The vote followed public testimony from Fred Vogt, who said he was summoned to a May meeting with Gorman and Superintendent Dr. Mongan and that he resigned after feeling pressured. “I was bullied and backed into a corner,” Vogt told the board during public comment, adding that he had been “told that I shouldn't be responding to the emails that I was receiving from the community” and that he “resigned under duress.”

Board member Jay Afif introduced materials and a memo he said documented communications surrounding the meeting and Vogt's resignation. Afif told colleagues he found it “shocking and appalling that a board member was approached by our colleague and asked to resign without ever consulting the rest of us.” Afif said his memo aimed to ensure that board-level matters receive notice and a chance to be handled with due process.

Superintendent Dr. Mongan and others told the board they had consulted legal counsel about handling the matter and that, based on counsel's guidance and investigation, they did not believe parent notification was required under federal or state student-privacy rules. “They did not feel like we had to notify the parent,” Dr. Mongan said when explaining the district's FERPA and Illinois student‑records assessment.

Jeff Gorman, who acknowledged he met with Vogt and said Vogt asked that the meeting remain private, defended his handling of the meeting and said he adhered to legal guidance. “I adhere to the established ISB protocols while respecting another board member's right to privacy,” Gorman said, adding that his actions were taken within his role.

Board members debated whether keeping the meeting confidential at Vogt's request relieved the president of a duty to inform the full board about an alleged student-records issue. Some members said legal advice to keep the matter confidential left room for discretion, while others said a board-level issue should have been shared with the full board. Union and community speakers at the meeting said they wanted stronger transparency and accountability from the board.

After public comment and extended discussion in which several board members described differences in recollection and emphasis on process, the board approved a censure motion against Gorman and then approved a motion to refer the matter to the Regional Office of Education for consideration of removal. The referral means the ROE will decide whether to pursue removal under its authority; the board's referral does not itself remove Gorman.

The dispute occurred amid broader public criticism of board transparency and governance practices that surfaced repeatedly in public comment; speakers urged more community engagement and clearer policies on how board members and district leaders communicate outside regular meetings.

Next steps: the Regional Office of Education will review the board's referral and decide whether to open a removal process. The district also indicated it would continue following legal guidance on student‑privacy matters as it responds to questions raised at the meeting.

(See “Votes at a glance” for motions taken at the meeting.)

Votes at a glance

- Motion to censure Board President Jeff Gorman — Approved (board voted to censure; transcript shows the motion carried in open session). Referenced materials and debate are in the meeting packet and public record.

- Motion to refer recommendation to remove Board President Jeff Gorman to the Regional Office of Education — Approved (board voted to refer the matter to the ROE; the ROE has discretion whether to act).