Hinsdale schools face scrutiny in sex allegations

Former Hinsdale Central High School boys basketball coach Robert J. Mueller committed the crime, but the school system also may be put on trial for its handling of his sexual misconduct.

An appellate court recently allowed a 22-year-old woman's suit to continue against Mueller, the district and two of its former top administrators.

Mueller, 47, formerly of Woodridge, is serving a 32-year prison term for having sexual relationships with two underage students. He is eligible for parole in 2034.

One of the former students who began having sex with Mueller when she was just 15 filed a lawsuit in DuPage County on April 3, 2007, after settlement talks proved fruitless. Her suit alleges Hinsdale High School District 86 is responsible for the abuse because its administrators all but ignored an earlier anonymous complaint in June 2000 involving another underage student who had sexual trysts with Mueller.

The lawsuit named District 86, Mueller, Superintendent Roger Miller and Principal James Ferguson. A DuPage judge dismissed the suit against all but Mueller on Dec. 6, 2007, because of an expired statute-of-limitations argument.

Appellate justices disagreed, and remanded the case back to DuPage County.

"I anxiously await the opportunity to demonstrate in court the egregious conduct of the Hinsdale school district in failing to properly protect this young girl," said attorney Terry Ekl, who represents the former student.

Under Illinois law, if school personnel suspect sexual abuse, they must report it immediately to authorities, though they're free to do their own investigation.

The coach's extracurricular activities sparked a controversy in which Ferguson and Miller nearly faced criminal charges. DuPage State's Attorney Joseph Birkett criticized them for failing to notify police, but he declined to charge them after both men cooperated with the grand jury investigation and improved staff training in such situations.

In the wake of the criminal case, several officials left the district. Miller retired, and the school board had his name stripped from its administrative center. Ferguson is no longer principal, and the athletic director also resigned.

Lawyers for Ferguson and Miller have said the men did the best they could given the situation: The caller was anonymous, and the first girl denied any sex took place, as did Mueller.

Mueller worked in the Hinsdale school system since 1988. He was a respected science teacher and head coach for the varsity boys basketball team.

The appellate court also upheld his conviction and sentence.