Teacher From Darien Criticized For Comments Against Official

DARIEN, IL – Darien resident Jeff Sturgeon teaches at Naperville Central High School, where the administration placed him on leave a couple of years ago.

He is also a high-profile foe of Flock cameras in Darien.

Last week, Sturgeon's advocacy against license plate-reading cameras included calling Darien Alderman Eric Gustafson a "dirty man." That was after Gustafson asked whether police should pursue drivers who obscure their license plates.

Sturgeon didn't stop there.

"Why don't we have cameras in your house for the city to watch? You're getting pretty old, falling down," he told Gustafson.

Sturgeon makes about $120,000 a year at Naperville Central, where he teaches orchestra and music theory.

Gustafson's wife, Debbie Gustafson, took exception to Sturgeon's comments. She emailed Naperville School District 203's superintendent, Dan Bridges.

"Eric had a stroke back in May and, yes, he did fall to the ground," she said. "What a thing to say in a public meeting in front of everybody."

Debbie Gustafson said people try to teach their children not to bully others and that everyone is entitled to an opinion.

"I just thought you should be aware of how one of your teachers presents themselves at a public meeting," she said.

Naperville School District 203's website includes an anti-discrimination statement that includes age as a category.

Bridges and Sturgeon did not return messages for comment.

During a Naperville school board meeting in August, Sturgeon spoke about how he had been placed on leave for 2½ months for what he said was his advocacy for Palestinian students and others impacted by the Gaza situation.

He said he had only received "excellent" evaluations during his 21 years with the district.

In 2024, Sturgeon said he was placed on administrative leave after he publicly asked the district to acknowledge the suffering in Gaza.

"During that time, my students were not informed about my absence, and my district devices were confiscated," Sturgeon said. "I was told I was being investigated because my request for help was deemed a personal and political use of district resources."

Sturgeon exceeded the time given to public commenters. The board turned off his microphone, but he continued.

The board's president, Charles Cush, repeatedly banged the gavel and then called a brief recess.

Sturgeon kept speaking for a few minutes after board members had left the room.