Battery charge dropped against District 88 board member

As a DuPage High School District 88 school board member, Paul D. Habel said he made it his primary mission to keep students safe.

So, when Habel spotted a group of Addison Trail students trying to get into the high school through a restricted door at about noon April 15, he ordered them to follow him to the dean's office.

In an ironic twist, though, it was Habel who later faced arrest for grabbing the arm of an 18-year-old male student, whom he thought was in the group, as they walked through the hallway.

Prosecutors this week dropped the misdemeanor battery against Habel. He also resigned from the school board July 7, midway into his first four-year term. Habel and his family have moved out of DuPage County.

On Friday, Habel said his arrest was a politically motivated attempt to shut him up about his safety concerns at Addison Trail High School.

"I thought these kids were breaking into the school," he said. "My intent was to take them to the dean's office. I don't feel I did anything wrong."

He continued: "I was a hero. What if these kids had a gun? I stopped them and did what I needed to do to make sure no one would be harmed."

The incident began when Habel was sitting outside the high school in a car with his wife, an Addison Trail teacher, according to the police report. Police said Habel thought the students, because of their clothing, looked "extremely suspicious" and had possible gang ties. Police said the students told them Habel ordered the group to the dean's office or be expelled.

It was while walking to the dean's office that the group encountered the 18-year-old male student who accused Habel of battery. The student told police he had called in sick that morning but, because he was feeling better, returned to the school when Habel grabbed him. Police said the student refused to go with Habel, whom he did not know.

Prosecutors officially dismissed the battery complaint Thursday. His attorney, Scott Marsik, said Habel had a winnable case had it progressed to trial.

"He had some legal justification," Marsik said. "(School board members) are held to a higher authority and take an oath of office to protect the school and its assets."

Habel said his family's move, and thus his school board resignation, was in the works before his arrest. He said District 88 made some security improvements during his tenure, such as more in-building police liaison officers and surveillance cameras, but more needs to be done to eradicate gangs and illicit drug sales.

"I just wanted to make (Addison Trail) a safer place," Habel said. "The fact that I was arrested was a joke. Instead of being appreciated. I was devalued and it was very hurtful."

District 88 Superintendent Steve Humphrey and Addison Police Chief Timothy "Bill" Hayden could not be reached for comment Friday.