Recent District 158 complaints stem from 2004 actions

Huntley Unit District 158's past continues to haunt the district even as it takes steps to restore accountability and public trust.

During the past month, details have emerged of three separate complaints filed with local authorities in connection with the district.

But though the stories have been splashed across the front page, the complaints all stem from actions taken more than three years ago.

The central action, board members say, was then-Superintendent Steve Swanson's decision to give paid days off to administrators without board approval.

These unauthorized benefits figure in two complaints filed by District 158 and a third complaint filed by board member Larry Snow, board members say.

The benefit was outlined in a memo from Swanson to year-round administrators dated Oct. 26, 2004.

A secondary issue is a district newsletter mailed to residents in November 2004. The newsletter, board members say, misled voters when it stated administrators would not get bonuses or increases in 2004-05.

Snow's complaint deals with board member misconduct from the same period, he has said.

Many of the people involved are no longer with the district. Chief among them is Swanson. Several administrators who received the benefit resigned at the end of the 2004-05 school year, board members say.

And any board members who were involved may be long gone by now. With the exception of Mike Skala and Kim Skaja, the board members who served during the 2004 referendum campaign have been replaced.

It remains to be seen whether any of the complaints will result in criminal charges.

While the actions were inappropriate and perhaps unseemly, I doubt they are egregious enough for prosecutors to make the issue a priority -- although I'm no legal expert.

Several board members and Superintendent John Burkey seem to agree with me: the actions were wrong, but probably don't rise to the level of crimes.

But the district was right to file the complaints and let the prosecutors arrive at their own conclusions.

And even if no criminal charges result, board members say they could recover money from administrators who were overpaid.

This may prove difficult, since it involves lawyers, civil suits and legal fees.

I probably have to agree with board Vice President Tony Quagliano that the cost of recovering the money would have to be less than the sum the district is owed for it to be worth the effort.

District 300 hosts last hearing: If you haven't yet offered your feedback on the three proposals for middle and high school boundaries in Community Unit District 300, there's still time.

District 300 is hosting its last public hearing on the proposals from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Jacobs High School.

You can also e-mail your comments to district spokeswoman Allison Smith at allison.smith@d300.org.

About 30 residents offered feedback at the initial public hearing at Dundee-Crown High School, while just a handful commented at a second hearing at Hampshire High School.

Board members are asking for more residents to speak out before they make a decision on the boundaries at the end of this month.

You can view the proposals and color-coded maps at the public hearing on Saturday or online at www.d300.org/web/ attendanceboundary committee.html.