Parents, students urge District 211 to notify families after alleged coach misconduct; board records show earlier suspensions

At the opening of the Dec. 11 Township High School District 211 board meeting, two public commenters urged the district to change how it informs families after allegations of misconduct involving wrestling coaches. Georgia Morawski, a parent, said she was speaking to create a record about "inappropriate conduct by Lionel Clark" and called for a district rule requiring parents to be informed when teachers or coaches are suspended or terminated for such behavior.

Student Nikki Hubbard, a senior at Hoffman Estates High School and a member of the girls' wrestling team, said she reported her own allegations to police on Nov. 8 and only learned of the district's personnel action on Dec. 11 after her mother contacted the superintendent's office. "Protecting students should be the district's biggest priority," Hubbard said, adding she was "appalled and disgusted" by the alleged actions and the district's response.

Both commenters referenced prior disciplinary incidents and named two coaches: Lionel Clark (also referred to in the meeting as Lionel Clark Johnson) and Kevin Beers. Morawski said personal text messages were exchanged between the terminated coach and current or former students after termination, alleging the coach told students "it was a misunderstanding" and that he "was already working at a new school."

The board did not announce a policy change during the meeting. Trustees later discussed confidentiality obligations in the context of a separate censure item and emphasized legal limits on what can be disclosed about personnel matters. The public commenters asked for clearer notification protocols to allow parents to talk with their children when staff conduct raises safety concerns.