Metzger steps down as District 204 president, remains on board

Mark Metzger stepped down as president of the Indian Prairie school board Tuesday amid growing concerns about a vulgar e-mail he inadvertently sent Friday to district officials and the father of a boy authorities say was sexually assaulted by two classmates.

Metzger will continue to serve on the seven-member Unit District 204 school board but will no longer lead meetings.

"In the last several days there has been a good deal of discussion in our community focused on me for sending an inappropriate e-mail," Metzger said Tuesday. "It is an action that I deeply regret and one that unfortunately takes the time and attention away from finding a solution for the families that have been affected by the middle school issue."

He also promised to recuse himself from any discussion or votes regarding the district's policies as they relate to the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old Gregory Middle School student by two classmates on Nov. 11, 2008, in the south Naperville home of one of the boys.

"I think that the events of the last several days may have cast my objectivity into question, so I believe it is best that I recuse myself," he said.

Metzger has been coming under fire since late last week when he responded to the latest accusations made by the father of the 11-year-old alleged victim who had strongly criticized the district's handling of the matter.

"I think it's about time for me to issue a response and blow up the lies this (expletive) continues to tell," Metzger wrote in his one-line e-mail.

Metzger said he intended the e-mail to go only to board members, but it also went to the father as well as the president of the Indian Prairie Parents' Council.

The e-mail came after a highly emotional week in which board members were criticized by residents for failing to take the necessary steps to remove the two students who have been charged with the alleged attack from the Naperville school and in which the father of the alleged victim issued a strongly worded criticism of the district.

"Mr. Metzger's disgraceful conduct and vulgar references demonstrate contempt for parent advocacy, and therefore, he does not embody the spirit of the working relationship between the school board and the community..." parents' council President Robin Church wrote in a prepared statement issued Tuesday.

Metzger, however, said his decision to step down had been "in motion" since Saturday when a Daily Herald story appeared about the e-mail.

"This was entirely my own decision," Metzger said Tuesday.

Pursuant to policy, Vice President John Stephens immediately will take over as board president. He will serve in that capacity until the board reorganizes after the April 7 election.

Metzger is in the middle of his fifth 4-year term after first being elected in 1991. He served as board secretary from 1993 to 1995 and 2001 to 2003. He served as president in 1995, 1997-1999, and 2007-through Tuesday.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276245">6 agree on new Dist. 204 victim's rights policy <span class="date">[02/26/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=275695">Superintendent District 204 president apologizes for vulgar e-mail <span class="date">[02/28/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=275026">Superintendent Daeschner: District 204 superintendent addresses the community <span class="date">[02/26/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=274961">District 203 leaders fielding calls, e-mails from concerned parents <span class="date">[02/25/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=274699">Student accused of abuse transfers to District 203 <span class="date">[02/25/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=274721">Dist. 204 wrestles with its policy <span class="date">[02/25/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=274360">Court order keeps accused student in school for now <span class="date">[02/23/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=273200">Pressure mounts as new charge filed against District 204 student <span class="date">[02/18/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=272984">Naperville boy in sex assault case also charged with battery <span class="date">[02/18/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=271885"> Changing law best way to deal with Dist. 204's challenge <span class="date">[02/16/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=271741">Legislation could give schools options for off-campus incidents <span class="date">[02/13/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=271486">Father, District 204 still at odds over handling of alleged assault <span class="date">[02/12/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=270834">Father pleads for action in Naperville school assault case <span class="date">[02/10/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>