Copyright Chicago Tribune
Lake County Republican Chair Keith Brin alleged a pattern of “inappropriate behavior” by a Highland Park High School teacher, while speaking Tuesday to the Township High School District 113 Board of Education, in admonishing district leaders for allowing the teacher to return to the classroom. Brin said his comments during the meeting had no relation to his position with the county GOP. According to Brin, a relative who is a student at the school, was one of several students who experienced “verbal harassment,” inappropriate touching and the showing of what he says was an inappropriate film in class. Brin said an investigation by the district had determined that an incident where the teacher had massaged a student’s hand and the showing of the film had both been inappropriate, but the teacher was allowed to return to the classroom. A Freedom of Information Act request for details of the investigation and its findings did not immediately get a response. In response to a request for comment, a D113 representative said the district does not talk about personnel matters. The teacher also did not respond to a request for comment. “Shame on this district for putting kids in danger,” Brin said at the meeting. “Shame on this district for putting a teacher who touches kids back in class.” A student who spoke during the meeting made a similar set of allegations against the teacher, saying they were one of many students who had been “verbally harassed” and urged the district to take further action. “Allowing someone with this record of behavior back into a classroom with minors sends a message that student safety is negotiable, that our voices, comfort and boundaries come second to convenience,” the student said.
