Caucus Supports District 67 Special Counsel's Independent Investigation
December 1, 2011

The Caucus applauds the District 67 School Board's decision to appoint Ronald S. Safer as Special Counsel to review the process concerning the Deer Path School Principal matter and for its express commitment to make public the independent counsel's findings.  It is also commendable that certain members of the District 67 School Board have voluntarily recused themselves from this process.  Although not expressly stated in the District's public statement, we trust that Superintendent Griffith also has been excluded from participation in any capacity other than as a witness.  

We also trust that the use of the term "wrongdoing" was not intended to limit the scope of Mr. Safer's inquiry.  Any act or omission that contributed to the failure to identify and to address appropriately the crime committed by the Deer Path School Principal should be evaluated regardless of whether it constitutes "wrongdoing."  Only with a comprehensive review will the District and the community have the necessary foundation to ensure that these events do not happen again.

Whether as part of the independent review or otherwise, there are also fundamental governance issues that warrant the District 67 School Board's consideration going forward.  These issues include (1) the definition of and adherence to the proper roles of the School Superintendent and School Board members; and (2) the presence and appropriate use of legal counsel by the School Board, particularly when criminal matters are involved.  These issues merit careful review and the answers should be clearly communicated to the community to address concerns raised based on the recent events. 

The Caucus is also committed to doing its part, consistent with its purpose and role of promoting civic involvement and recommending qualified candidates for election to the District 67 and 115 School Boards.  The next School Board elections are in April 2013.  The Caucus already has formed a School Board Search Committee to seek out qualified candidates.  The Caucus also is developing a School Board candidate application and interview process that will further improve the quality of its candidate selection process.

The Caucus also seeks the help of the residents of this community.  Many of you have already given of your time and insights by talking with members of the Caucus about the Deer Path School Principal matter.  We thank you for doing so and urge you to continue your civic engagement.   Like so many others in this community, we strive to do the best job we can.  We don't have all the answers.  We can do better, but the success of the Caucus is predicated on the robust involvement of the community, so your input truly makes a difference. 

In a couple of months, you will be receiving the annual mailing of the "Caucus Connection."  In that mailing, you are asked to vote on the candidates for your Ward Caucus Committee.  Three new members of each of the four, nine-person Ward Caucus Committees are elected each year by you.  We typically receive back very few of the thousands of ballots distributed with the Caucus Connection to the community.  In 2012, we hope that you will take the time to fill out and return your ballot.  If you are willing to do more and serve on the Caucus, there is still time to contact your Caucus Ward Chair (who is listed on our website) and to complete a Volunteer Profile Sheet (VPS) in order to be considered as a candidate for the Caucus in the 2012 election. 

The revelations of the past week about the inappropriate conduct of the Deer Path Middle School Principal and the way in which the matter was handled by the Administration and the Board have caused concern in our community.  Like the community at large, the Caucus was not informed of his arrest, prosecution or subsequent guilty plea.  We share the community's disappointment in his human failures and the significant breach of trust by such a senior member of the school administration.  Institutions, particularly those entrusted with the care and development of our children, must act swiftly, openly and decisively when reacting to such serious allegations.  The Caucus is working to investigate, understand and comprehensively review all of the relevant facts and circumstances with a particular emphasis on the involvement and performance of the elected and appointed officials in positions for which the Caucus recommends candidates.  The Caucus assures the community that the information obtained will guide its decisions as to whether involved Board members should be supported for re-election.  The Caucus is encouraged by the City Council's expression of deep disappointment in the actions and what has happened at the District 67 School Board.  The Caucus applauds the City Council's decisive action in directing the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners to investigate the circumstances involving the SRO and the Lake Forest Police Department.  The Caucus urges the School Board to authorize a comprehensive, independent evaluation of the actions or omissions of the Superintendent and the Board in the handling of this serious matter. 

In furtherance of its role to promote civic involvement, the Caucus will continue to be responsive to questions from the community and will provide information it hopes may be helpful to Lake Forest residents. After members of the Caucus attended the November 21 District 67 School Board meeting, and in response to questions citizens posed during that meeting and to the Caucus thereafter, the Caucus conducted a review of relevant Illinois law concerning school boards.  It is our understanding that there is no provision under Illinois law permitting recall, impeachment, or removal of a school board member by direct public action or decision during a term of office. On November 22, our Caucus President Susan Franzetti spoke with the Regional Superintendent of Schools, Roycealee Wood, who confirmed that our understanding is correct.  Under its By-Laws the Caucus lacks authority to take action until candidates come before it seeking support for election.

Throughout all of these events, the Caucus is working to protect and nurture its purpose of promoting the process of civic involvement so that qualified citizens who can best serve the Lake Forest community will continue to step forward to do so.  Each year, the Caucus seeks volunteers to run for election to the Caucus Committee.  Three members of the community in each of its four wards are elected annually to serve a three year term.  We encourage all interested members of the community to complete a Volunteer Profile Sheet on this website so they can take an active role in promoting these efforts. 

This response was posted on Lake Forest Patch as a clarification to a post on the Patch also cited below. 

 12:58pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The minutes of the meetings of the Lake Forest Caucus are available on its website at www.lfcaucus.com. On the website, click on the tab "Your Caucus" and click on the last item in the drop down menu entitled "Meeting Minutes."
Here is a link to the meeting minutes on the Caucus website: http://www.lfcaucus.com/yourcaucus/minutes.asp

Also, your understanding regarding Dr. Griffith's interaction with the Lake Forest Caucus is mistaken. Dr. Griffith did not present the Caucus with any data regarding either the District 67 or the District 115 candidates and, to be clear, he specifically did not provide any damaging data on the personal and/or professional lives of the candidates. The Caucus had no discussions with Dr. Griffith regarding the School Board District 67 or 115 candidates. The purpose of the Caucus is to recommend candidates for elected positions within Lake Forest and to provide recommendations for certain appointed positions to the Mayor. The Caucus also seeks to promote civic involvment within the community. Please visit the Lake Forest Caucus website to learn more about the Caucus and the work that it does.

Regards, Susan Franzetti, President, Lake Forest Caucus

 From the Patch

 "Jim, can you post any minutes to the District 67 School Board meetings prior to the most recent election cycle? Also any minutes from Caucus meetings during the same period?

I understand Dr. Griffith spoke out on record against certain independent candidates seeking a seat on the District 67 School Board. I understand Harry presented the Caucus and Boards with damaging data on the personal and/or professional lives of those candidates. I'm wondering how there is no problem with Harry doing his due diligence on those individuals. And is it not improper that a Superintendent become involved in the Election process of the School Board? Just curious"