Custodian accused of taking inappropriate videos of teachers

A Lake Villa District 41 custodian has been accused of using a cellphone to record videos of teachers in an inappropriate manner.

On Monday, Olive Martin Elementary school officials called Lake Villa police to the school, 24750 Dering Lane, after a female employee told administrators that she witnessed the custodian recording her from an inappropriate angle, District 41 officials said in a statement.

Two other teachers are also believed to be victims, police said.

Garrett S. Draut, 31, of Lake Villa was charged with three counts of disorderly conduct and three counts of unlawful videotaping. Draut, a 10-year employee of the district, was immediately put on leave pending action from the board of education.

There's no indication that Draut had any inappropriate conduct with children, officials said, but police and the school's IT team are conducting forensic checks of school computers and other evidence collected.

“Given the circumstances of this incident and the age levels of the students attending Martin Elementary School, the board and I believe it is most appropriate to communicate this information directly to parents and guardians to allow you to determine whether and how to discuss this information at home,” a statement from District 41 Superintendent Lynette Zimmer read.