Kalisz v. Board of Education of Kildeer Countryside Community Consolidated School District 96

Illinois Appellate Court
Civil Court
Employment
Citation
Case Number: 
2021 IL App (2d) 200095
Decision Date: 
Monday, January 11, 2021
District: 
2d Dist.
Division/County: 
Lake Co.
Holding: 
Circuit court reversed; Board affirmed.
Justice: 
SCHOSTOK

Plaintiff, a tenured full-time elementary school teacher, filed complaint for administrative review of her dismissal for cause from employment. DCFS investigated Plaintiff for alleged physical abuse of her children, but DCFS ultimately concluded that the allegations were unfounded. The Board's assistant superintendent for human resources met with Plaintiff 4 times. Based on her review of the DCFS report, she concluded that Plaintiff had lied to her, and thus School Board issued a notice of remedial warning to remedy to Plaintiff, which specifically warned her to exercise appropriate and professional judgment, conduct herself professionally, and follow all the Board's policies, procedures, and practices. Hearing officer determined that Plaintiff's conduct (excessively leaving the classroom for extended periods) violated these requirements. Board adopted the hearing officer's determination without modification. Decision of hearing officer and the Board was not arbitrary, unreasonable, or not related to the requirements of service. (HUDSON and BIRKETT, concurring.)