District 203 student expelled over fire
Naperville Unit District 203 has expelled the student who started a fire at Scott Elementary School that caused extensive damage.
The board voted 6-0 to remove the student for the rest of the year. Board member Susan Crotty abstained from voting.
Firefighters were called to the school at 500 Warwick Drive on the morning of Friday, Nov. 20, for a fire that began in the boys washroom and destroyed a toilet paper dispenser and stall partition.
No one was injured but smoke spread throughout the school. Students and faculty were evacuated and spent the day at Madison Junior High.
Crews as large as 100 workers at a time spent the weekend after the fire cleaning the entire school, including ducts and carpets, so students could return the following Monday.
Initial estimates put the amount of damage at $100,000 though Superintendent Mark Mitrovich believes that figure may be significantly higher. An exact figure was not available Monday night. The district has a $2,500 insurance deductible.
Mitrovich would not discuss the identity of the student who started the fire and said the district does not plan to pursue legal action against that student's family.
Police have declined to press charges because of the student's age.