Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accountability And Allegations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents and advocates tell District 128 board to act after alleged grooming and reporting failures
Summary
Multiple parents and advocates used the public comment period to accuse District 128 of failing to report alleged grooming and abuse, citing a lawsuit and internal emails; speakers demanded transparency, named district staff they said had roles in handling complaints, and urged firings and pension review. The board did not take public action tonight and moved to closed session on employment matters.
Dozens of community members turned the District 128 public-comment period into a forceful call for accountability, accusing district officials of mishandling allegations that a teacher groomed a student and urging the board to take immediate action.
Dan Vasanos, who introduced himself as a former school administrator and an advocate with Kids 2, told the board the allegations are documented in a lawsuit and reported in local media. "This is documented in a lawsuit that was covered by CBS," he said, and said he had reviewed internal emails suggesting the district moved to offer the teacher an early-retirement buyout rather than report misconduct. "The question before you tonight is not whether this happened. The question is what will this board do about it?" Vasanos said, adding that he had met with legislators and that the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has an open investigation.
Marnie Navarro, who identified herself as a District 128 graduate and an incoming parent, described a pattern she called "systemic corruption and failure," and named multiple district staff she said held responsibility for special education, human resources, Title IX and other functions. "Our children are not safe at District 128," Navarro said, and urged the board to "put a stop to the culture of corruption and cover up, and protect our children." Several speakers alleged reports had not been made to DCFS or law enforcement and said settlements were being pursued quietly rather than accompanied by accountability.
Other parents and former staff echoed the demand for consequences. Amy Franz, who identified herself as a special educator and parent, said she was "appalled that nobody reported this" and called a monetary settlement "not accountability." Lisa Rohde, a local taxpayer, urged the board to revoke pensions and fire people if necessary. John Hetzel criticized board leadership directly and said some administrators appear not to be listening when public commenters speak.
Board members and administrators did not announce formal personnel actions in open session in response to the comments. After proceeding through the rest of the agenda, the board voted to convene in a closed session to discuss employment of employees under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
Why it matters: Public commenters asked for internal transparency and external oversight. The speakers described statutory reporting obligations for mandated reporters and suggested failures to follow those laws. The board did not make public findings tonight; the community said it will continue to press for investigations and legislative attention.
What the board said it would do next: Board members asked administration and legal staff to draft policy language for other agenda items and to provide legal guidance when requested; the meeting ended with a closed-session vote on employment matters. The transcript records public comment alleging an ISBE investigation; the board did not announce any vacant administrative actions or public disciplinary steps during the open session.
