Reaction mixed to school play cancellation

Parents and students provided mixed reactions on a decision to cancel a fall play as part of the fallout from a sexual abuse charge filed against a Lake Zurich High School drama teacher.

Lake Zurich Unit District 95 officials said Wednesday the cancellation of “The Sparrow” was difficult and made in the best interest of students. Parents and district officials confirmed not everyone supported the cancellation when it was announced at a meeting Tuesday.

Superintendent Michael Egan announced to cast, crew members and parents that the play was canceled after he “tried to look at the entire situation and see what he thought was best for everyone involved,” said District 95 spokeswoman Jean Malek. It was to open Thursday.

Malek said while some students didn't agree with the decision, others understood Egan's position.

“(Egan) knows more about the situation than he is able to share,” Malek said. “He felt this was the most prudent thing to do. After all, he is the responsible party for 6,300 students in this district. He felt this is what is best.”

Drama teacher Ronald D. Culver, 51, of the 900 block of Blackburn Drive in Inverness, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse by the Lake County state's attorney's office Monday night. Culver is accused of sexually abusing a student in the school.

Culver was freed from the Lake County jail after posting 10 percent of a $10,000 bond. He resigned from the district Friday, authorities said, shortly after the incident was discovered.

School board members are expected to formally accept Culver's resignation at a meeting tonight. The session will start at 6:15 p.m. at Lake Zurich High's library, 300 Church St.

Plans called for the play to run through the weekend at the school's performance arts center. Culver's arrest was cited for cancellation of “The Sparrow,” a dark tale about a young orphan named Emily Book.

Tracy Gold, a parent whose freshman son was working as part of the play's stage crew, attended the Tuesday meeting for Egan's announcement. She said she was among those who supported his decision.

“I feel like that was the only option the administration had,” Gold said. “I felt it was more out of respect for the victim.”

Lake Zurich police said they were summoned to the high school Oct. 28 after District 95 officials were told about the incident. That disclosure led to Culver's immediate removal from the school, sparking the criminal investigation and his eventual arrest.

Authorities declined to specify who informed the district about what purportedly happened between Culver and the student. They are not releasing the victim's age or gender.

Culver, who also was a full-time English teacher, was described as popular among students by district officials. He had been involved with the high school drama club since coming over from Lake Zurich North Middle School in 2002.

Defense attorney Stephen Simonian of Waukegan has said Culver cooperated with police before resigning. If convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Culver would face a maximum of seven years in prison.