Board member arrested

A Wauconda school board member, active volunteer and child physical therapist faces sexual abuse charges involving a teenager.

Nicholas Batson, 45, of the 25700 block of West Ivanhoe Road, Wauconda Township, was arrested Monday at his home and charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

The sheriff's office said the abuse was reported Dec. 5 by a 14-year-old relative.

Batson was elected to a 4-year term on the Wauconda Unit District 118 board in 2005. He also holds licenses in Illinois and Wisconsin as a physical therapist.

Police said Batson has been running a physical therapy business for children out of his home.

"Given the fact that Mr. Batson is employed as a child physical therapist, we are concerned the possibility exists that other victims may be out there," Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said in a news release. "Any parent who believes their child may have been violated by Mr. Batson is urged to come and speak with one of our detectives."

Batson faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted of the charges. He posted 10 percent of his $100,000 bond Tuesday morning and was released, according to officials at the Lake County jail.

Batson did not return a phone call seeking comment Tuesday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 8.

"We're shocked," said District 118 Superintendent Daniel Coles. "This is obviously a very distressing situation, and the allegations reported by the police are extremely serious."

Coles said the board had not yet discussed whether Batson might be asked to resign.

"I think that is premature," said Coles, who noted the board has not had an opportunity to meet and discuss the arrest or its implications.

According to the sheriff's office, there is no evidence Batson had improper contact with any children as a result of serving on the school board. He has no criminal record.

Batson does have a long history of volunteering in the community. In an election questionnaire he filled out for the Daily Herald in 2005, Batson said he had been working as a Special Olympics volunteer since 1987.

He is also the former youth director for Wauconda Federated Church. Ryan Sutton, pastor of the church, said Batson has not been youth director for a year and a half.

In 2000, Batson won the Golden Rule Award, given by the Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago and J.C. Penney, for his volunteerism. In the award, Batson was recognized for being involved in Special Olympics and for serving as a coach for the summer games.

Special Olympics officials said coaches and volunteers are subjected to intensive screening and training.

"Currently, we have a very rigid policy in place," said Barbara DiGuido, director of communications for the Illinois Special Olympics.

She said coaches are required to take protective behaviors training, which identifies inappropriate behavior and how to spot it. They are screened every three years for criminal histories.

"They keep records of who has taken (the behavior training test) and passed it," DiGuido said.