Parents, students and colleagues urge board to reconsider learning behavior specialist’s resignation

The Lake Forest School District 67 Board heard an emotional series of public comments urging it to reconsider the resignation of Marygold Moorhead, a 2nd‑grade learning behavior specialist at Cherokee Elementary.

Courtney Payne, a parent, described Moorhead as “far above” the district's evaluation rating and asked the board to "ask questions about why MG was forced to resign and the timeline in which she was pushed to do so," urging the board to reinstate her. Student Anna Payne told the board, "She was the best teacher ever," and multiple staff members echoed that praise.

Moorhead addressed the board directly, saying her resignation "was not my choice" and describing her November evaluation as having "irregularities." She said her resignation messaging "was delivered with a sense of pressure, urgency, and coercion" and asked the board to reconsider and to connect with her after the meeting to find a way forward.

Several Cherokee colleagues and parents supported Moorhead in public comment. Michelle Madema, a learning behavior specialist at Cherokee, testified to Moorhead's qualities — accountability, empathy, and relationship‑building — and said staff had provided signatures and statements backing Moorhead. Parent Courtney Payne also warned of the practical impacts of staffing decisions, recounting prior years when late hiring harmed students' learning continuity.

The board did not take immediate formal action during public comment; the matter remained before the board for potential follow‑up. Board members were reminded that personnel processes are constrained by laws and policies; one board member noted that communication and disclosure are limited by federal privacy and personnel rules. Moorhead asked to continue conversations with the district leadership about possible options to return to work.