The examined teacher in Manhattan will not return next year: Board

Manhattan, Il – A teacher of Manhattan District 114, who is currently paid in internal and police investigations, will not return in the next school year, which voted on Wednesday of the Education Committee in Manhattan 114.

The sports teacher in Manhattan Jr. High was put on vacation last week after he was injured against the guidelines of the districts after accusations. Two days later he was also examined by the Manhattan police to determine whether the allegations justify criminal charges. Ryan Gulli, chief of police from Manhattan, said he expects the investigation to come immediately by the end of the week with the results.

District officers are closely delivered in relation to the details of the incident, and at the meeting of the Education Committee of March 12, the board members presented parents of parents who claimed for measures and transparency.

“I am here tonight to ask that for the first time in about a year.

The parents Kim Russell also urged the board for further information and said the events had shaken their trust in the district management.

“First and foremost, I would like to know how safe my children with the conditions and things that have taken place within the school in the past 10 days,” said Russell. “I would also like to know how we move forward, how will we ever know what's going on when things take place when it is reported to the community and the parents and the families. I'm so loss. I'm really shaken, I'm really.”

Under the leadership of board vice president Emily Wesel, who stood for President John Burke, the board unanimously voted not to extend the contract of an employee contract that was highly ranked on the website of the district as a teacher of Manhattan. Patch only calls someone who is examined, unless or until they are officially burdened.

The decision on Wednesday follows the events that took place a week earlier. District officers initially stated that the teacher was paid on paid vacation immediately after allegations that his behavior had violated the guidelines. The official details were sparse, but speculation raged early when the parents went on the social media pages of the community to deal and criticize the district management. The identity and circumstances of the teacher, who led to the disciplinary measures, seemed to be clear to many, if not publicly providing the administration.

In a declaration published by the district a week ago, the investigation was carried out, an investigation, “so that we can choose suitable next steps.

“The security and well -being of our students are always of the greatest importance in our district,” wrote superintendent Ron Pacheco to the parents, “and we will remain vigilant to proactively clear out all concerns that are drawn to us.”

Russell has indicated the ongoing expenses separately when the district has two complaints with sexual harassment and discrimination complaints under his own leadership, and condemned the board of directors for its secret nature and legal expenditure.

In the recent allegations against the district, the former employed Susana Lukaszek filed a complaint in December 2024 and claimed that she had a “severe and omnipresent enemy work environment” through a sexual relationship between the former superintendent Russell “Rusty” Ragon and the director of HR Chris Ruddy. It is said that some board members are aware of the events and efforts to hide it.

“It only seems to me that there are so many hidden things that I have concerns about,” she said. “Things that are very suspicious, and we have to pay the taxpayers for the things that take place behind the scenes of all submitted complaints. My family comes from many disabilities, and it would be certain that this money for my children instead of complaints from people who are not being held accountable, things are not made available in our school.”

Superintendent made sexual progress towards former ex-Manhattan school employees, claims complaint >>

Before the discussion and a closed session to determine the employment measures for the teacher, Pavur wondered that they are consistently enforced in view of the continuing legal problems of the district.

“A political problem? I wonder why a teacher paid vacation would bring the payment vacation if it is only a violation of guidelines,” said Pavur. “Our board members have violated sexual harassment and are still sitting there, actively involved. Which guidelines are enforced and for whom? And will that be another complaint?

Pavur also called for clarity about measures that were taken as follow-up to other, possible similar situations.

“Is there a protocol for a certain situation like this and will you share the district plan of what happens when a student reports something like that?” she said. “There is a plan, right? The public deserves transparency, not on the details of the examination, but on the steps that the district undertakes in this case. … Our teachers deserve to know that these guidelines are enforced for them and the administration.

“We could possibly have a criminal situation, and it took two days until we can contact the police? If this is the case, what do you do and what will be out of it. Please do the right thing about our district and our children, and please no longer waste districts. Keep our children to safe.

After the vote and other work suits, Wesel welcomed the board.

“I want to say that this is a hard job and I would only like to thank everyone for being here tonight,” said Wesel. “It's just a difficult thing …”