Kaneland coach, teacher agrees to quit
Suspended Kaneland High School coach and teacher Dennis Hansen has quit as part of a deal worked out Thursday with the school board investigating allegations that he committed "misconduct" with students.
In return, the board agreed that if asked for a job reference about Hansen, the district will report, in writing, only the dates of his employment and his duties.
District officials refused to specify the nature of the alleged misconduct but did state that it was not anything criminal or anything that required a report to the Department of Children and Family Services.
They also refused to say if the students were male or female. Hansen coached varsity boys basketball and varsity girls softball. He taught physical education and driver's education.
A district resident at the meeting told the board she heard from friends that Hansen was accused of sending inappropriate phone messages and text messages to female students and players.
About a dozen current and former students reported alleged misconduct, said Maureen Lemon, the district's lawyer. Some of them came forward after news of Hansen's suspension in May became public; the reported incidents dated back to 2001.
Hansen worked for Kaneland for 12 years. Messages seeking comment were left on his home and cell phones late Thursday evening.
The board approved the separation agreement and accepted the resignation by votes of 5-1. Trustee Robert Anderson was absent. Trustee Deborah Grant voted "nay," saying the board received new information in e-mails Thursday, and she wanted time to study that before voting on the matter.
Superintendent Charles McCormick said the district accepted the agreement because Hansen would have the right to appeal a dismissal; a dismissal hearing would produce "a lot of very uncomfortable circumstances for students, who would be subject to cross-examination;" and that this achieves the district's objective, which is to not have Hansen working for it any more.
He said the district will be addressing several issues about teacher-student relations, including electronic communication, with staff, students and parents. It is common, he said, for coaches to have students' cell phone numbers, so they can contact them by a mass text message about changes in practice or game schedules.
The agreement disappointed at least one resident attending the meeting. Jennifer Amery of Sugar Grove said Kaneland could be passing its problem on to an unwitting future employer. "How about a big red check on his resume?" she said.
Human Resources Superintendent Jeff Schuler said the reference is what is typically initially given for any person, "but those in good standing will get a warm response" if a prospective employer asks for more information. Asked what he would do if a job applicant presented such a neutral reference, Schuler said it "raises a flag. It would cause me to look for additional information."
Quit: School board accepts resignation in 5-1 vote