Woodland District 50 going to prosecutors over alleged misuse of networks
Woodland Elementary District 50 officials plan to file complaints with Lake County and state prosecutors over possible misuse of the school system's electronic networks and equipment.
But Chris Schrantz, president of the Gurnee-based Woodland school board, declined to provide details about the allegations or who committed potential violations.
Board members reconvened after a closed-door session of a special meeting Monday to address an agenda item on policies governing ethics and acceptable use of electronic networks and equipment. Schrantz made an announcement after reading aloud the agenda topic.
"A complaint should be made to the state's attorney and the attorney general regarding potential violation of state law in accordance with board policy," he said.
Board member Renea Amen complimented Schrantz's statement about the soon-to-be-filed complaints.
"The state's attorney is not our mechanism just because we're upset with someone," Amen said. "It's the mechanism that we have to use when the law is broken."
Board member Carla Little said elected officials have been remiss in pursuing other alleged ethics problems at the district. She then raised a question about whether a school could be used for district-related political purposes without violating state law or Woodland policy.
Little's concern led to the District 50 Parent Teacher Association being directed to move a Tuesday night board candidate forum from Woodland Intermediate School in Gurnee to the nearby Hunt Club Park community center. The Hunt Club Road facility is part of the Gurnee Park District.
Woodland attorney Raymond Hauser said the political event would have violated district policy but not state law.
Little, Amen and three other incumbents in the April 4 election - Tony DeMonte, Vincent Juarez and Bill Barnabee - were invited to the school board candidate forum with challengers Elizabeth Helgren, Joseph DeRosa, Jennifer Haack, James Hurd, Joyce Mason and Richard Payne.
In 2011, the Woodland PTA hosted a forum at the intermediate school when six candidates ran for three 4-year seats. Next month's election has two candidates seeking a 2-year post and nine competing for four 4-year terms.