Board Accepts Principal's Surprise Resignation At Raucous Meeting

LAKE FOREST, IL — The unexplained departure of a popular middle school principal culminated in a contentious school board meeting last week in Lake Forest. After being placed on administrative leave in late September, the admired administrator accepted a severance package and acknowledged unspecified shortcomings involving "information reporting" amid an disciplinary investigation into an undisclosed "teacher concern," records show.

The Lake Forest School District 67 board voted Oct. 29 to accept a resignation and negotiated settlement with former Deer Path Middle School Principal Tom Cardamone. The unanimous vote came over the objections of dozens of current and former parents and teachers who filled the room, at times interrupting board members with jeers.

Cardamone, 44, started at Deer Path Middle School in November 1997 as a teacher's aide. He became a substitute teacher and full-time social studies teacher about six months later. In 2007, he became assistant principal and got the job of principal in July 2012.

"To Lake Forest, thank you. You have accepted me and welcomed me. Deer Path Middle School and Lake Forest School District 67 is home," Cardamone said, in an undated resignation. "Over the course of these past 22 years, I have become a husband and a father. I have had the privilege of being a teacher, coach, and Principal to incredible students and their families. I know this is an unexpected announcement, but the best way you can support me is to respect my privacy and continue to support Deer Path Middle School staff as they move forward."

Cardamone, whose final email signature with the district included lyrics to a song by the band Phish, closed out his resignation letter with lyrics from the song "Brokedown Palace" by the Grateful Dead.

Since Cardamone was put on paid administrative leave late last month for undisclosed reasons, parents, colleagues and board members have praised his work with students and families in the district at two board meetings. Many of those who offered public comment at last week's meeting were sharply critical of how district officials communicated since Cardamone's last day at the district on Sept. 27.

District Notifications

Superintendent Mike Simeck first notified parents Oct. 2 that Cardamone was on a leave of absence. He followed up a week later to notify parents former District 102 Superintendent Theresa Dunkin would assist the two assistant principals as acting administrators. He asked them to give staff and board members time and space to focus "on the matter at hand" while acknowledging the delicacy of the issues involved.

"Privacy laws and personnel matters must remain confidential, and we are aware how challenging that is for all involved," Simeck said Oct. 9.

On Oct. 15, Simeck asked parents to quell rumors Cardamone was arrested or escorted from the building by police. The principal was never under any criminal investigation by the Lake Forest Police Department, according to Deputy Chief Rob Copeland.

"One of our school security professionals, not a police officer, entered the school with Mr. Cardamone to obtain a document and then left the school with him," Simeck told parents. "It is very easy to see how this could have been perceived as an escort or even an arrest. This was not our intent."

On Oct. 24, Simeck told parents Cardamone submitted a letter of resignation and the District 67 board "will take action to accept his resignation" in five days.

"Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot share any specific details about the resignation. We are very aware of how difficult this is for all involved, particularly when there are so many unknowns," the superintendent acknowledged. "We will not be addressing this information with all children at school, as we believe it is a parental decision as to if, or to what degree, you wish to discuss this with your child."

Two days later, Simeck sent another communication to parents and guardians at the school. This time, he let them know that an email "obtained from an investigative FOIA" revealed that an administrator told Cardamone a meeting was set to determine whether to put him on an administrative leave "as the district completes its investigation of the teacher concern."

That email also revealed Human Resources Director Allison Stempien denied Cardamone's request to postpone that Sept. 30 meeting by one day to allow him to be joined by Brian Schwartz, general counsel and deputy executive director of the Illinois Principals Association.

The agreement approved by the board Oct. 29 allows for Cardamone to continue getting paid through Dec. 31 using his accrued paid time off. The district also agreed to pay him a severance package worth two months of his roughly $161,000 base salary and the cash equivalent of two months of health insurance in January 2020, according to the agreement.

In exchange, Cardamone agreed not to file any claims against the board, not to make any comments to anyone that would be likely to undermine or reflect poorly on the district or board and not to do anything that would be likely to have an adverse impact on district operations "including student or employee recruitment," the agreement said.

Prior to opening the floor to about an hour of comments from attendees, board president Mike Borkowski acknowledged the public's frustration with the handling of the situation surrounding Cardamone's departure, a feeling he said he shared.

"There are many parts of the process to be examined, communication to staff and parents, how internal protocols affect public appearances, support structures and more. Some of these conversations have already begun, but I commit to you that this board and administrative team will thoroughly examine all aspects of this process. Ultimately, this board has responsibility for oversight, and we will do our job," Borkowski said.

"While we look back and reflect on this situation, we must also look forward. Moving forward will not be easy. We have already felt a loss without Tom's presence. We all will grieve. We will struggle through this period together as one school district, as one community, as one family."

Simeck said he joined the community in grieving Cardamone's absence.

"He was more than my colleague and my collaborator. On a personal note, he was also my daughter's principal. Mr. Cardamone was someone who genuinely cared about everyone, and that has been evidenced in the school's and the community's reaction in his absence," the superintendent said. "My recommendation to accept his resignation may also seem at odds with those statements. The fact of the matter is that I, too, am profoundly saddened by this turn of events, yet I respect Tom's decision to resign."

Public Comments

Allison Walsh of Lake Forest said she was at a loss as to why the district would allow Cardamone to walk away from the district. She presented a petition signed by more than 250 people and requesting the board of education reject his resignation and reinstate him as principal.

Karen Pederson, a 18-year veteran educator at Deer Path Middle School, or DPM, implored board members not to accept the principal's resignation and called on administrators to reinstate him.

"I do not want nor believe that Tom Cardamone needs to resign as principal, I feel that — whatever the mistakes, oversights or wrongdoings that are being associated with Mr. Cardamone — we can all learn and grow from and can be made right. After all, that is how we best learn, and that is what we teach our kids," Pederson said.

"We practice restorative justice every day at DPM with our students who screw up. I am wondering why Tom Cardamone was not given the same opportunity that we give our little humans every day and that all teachers are entitled to. I cannot wrap my mind why Tom had to be plucked out of our school the way he was, just as DPM was getting our groove back," she said.

"Looks can be deceiving, your teachers do not feel cared for, heard or supported, there's a real fear lurking through the hallways in our schools, however Tom Cardamone was one of the people that created and contributed to a nurturing and caring, supportive culture at DPM, Tom is pure positivity and optimism."

Heather Clements, a parent of Deer Path Middle School graduates, praised the teachers and staff of the district. But Clements said she was saddened by the events of the prior month and criticized the superintendent communication.

"Over the years, the decline in morale, district reputation and school ranking has become palpable. Peppered with the turnover of principals and vice-principals, the lack of communication from our superintendent and the district's increased abuse of discretion now have become cause of concern. For the past few weeks I have respectfully honored the board of education's request for time to properly investigate the allegations against Tom Cardamone. I can appreciate that for every situation there's a process and protocol that needs to be followed and that the board of education strives to do their best in each situation. Today, I'm not so sure that the board of education has done their due diligence by listening to the teachers, parents and community but have instead gone into hiding behind Mr. Simeck's and [Deputy Superintendent Rebecca] Jenkins' decision to place Tom on a leave of absence."

Simeck "hid behind privacy laws and went into radio [silence] and missing in action, leaving our teachers and staff unsupported for days. ... I understand with bad decisions come some consequences, if Tom made a bad decision, I respect [that] it warranted a consequence of some sort," Clements said.

"Personally I can't imagine what Tom could have done that warranted being treated in such horrific disregard. It's embarrassing our administration handled this situation the way it did, and it's even more embarrassing to think an apology is adequate. What I hope to learn over the days and weeks ahead is how the board views Mr. Simeck's behavior while handling this incident. I hope the board views this behavior as inexcusable and enforceable by consequences," she said, suggesting the majority of the community may have lost confidence in his leadership.

Jack Hirschfield cited his communications experience as a former education television reporter and a communications director for a Texas congressman. He said there was a severe lack of trust between many members of the community and the board and administrators.

"Knowingly or not, you have naively served your internal policies and procedures and insecurities instead what's best for the community you are responsible for serving. Your inability to effectively communicate has led to a monthlong crisis that never should have been, and in the process led to hundreds of families and thousands of people taking time to focus on the crisis — time taken away from focusing on our children, not to mention ruining a good man's education and work."

Krina Lessard, a co-president of the District 67 Lake Forest Education Association, the local teacher's collective bargaining unit, emphasized the importance of education professionals across the district. She said teachers and staff were at the heart of the schools.

"The past 32 days, they've been rough for the teachers and staff at Deer Path Middle School, and although hearts were broken by not knowing where their trusted leader was, and disheartened by the unending rumors and untruths swirling about the classrooms, and in the community and growing more frustrated by the lack of communication, they still got up every day and gave their students 100 percent," Lessard said.

"These Deer Path teachers helped their students by maintaining the normalcy and routines of their day, doing what they do best, they create an environment that maximizes each student's growth, including the willingness to take risks and learn from their mistakes," she said. "We wonder, if excellent schools thrive under strong and effective leadership then how to teachers feel after the mysterious departure of their trusted principal?"

Comments from many of the district's most trusted and admired veteran teachers at the board's Oct. 8 special meeting demonstrated how they had been hurt by the handling of the situation, she said, lamenting that the meeting had not been recorded. (Minutes from the public comment portion of the meeting reflect only that 11 people and "District 67 staff and parents" all "spoke in support of Mr. Cardamone and were concerned with the lack of information they received.")

Laura Montgomery, a 34-year District 67 employee, the other co-president of the Lake Forest Education Association, which includes all certified staff and assistants in the district, continued.

"What happens when some of our most promising or even our most experienced staff begin to question their place here, or re-evaluate their emotionally well work environment. It's no secret that Lake Forest has had its share of extreme highs and extreme lows over the year. Deer Path has unfortunately experienced a revolving door of administrators and many have had to endure multiple episodes of heartache," Montgomery said. Educators in the district who have dedicated their careers to the community have weathered those storms in the past, she said.

"But this time, the departure of Tom Cardamone felt very different. It left many hearts aching but more than that it left heads scratching. Others have felt a growing lack of trust and confidence in our district leaders. Some, in fact, are so disheartened by the climate that they've contemplated seeking other employment," Montgomery said. She said she was hopeful administrators were sincerely committed to healing process to restore trust and promised to keep the board informed of its progress.

"We recognize that the journey of rebuilding not only hearts but respect, a positive work environment and thriving schools may take some time. But please know that throughout this long and emotional four weeks we have seen the teachers and staff at Dear Path Middle School conduct themselves as utmost professionals, focus on their students and, most of all, be encouraged and lifted by the outpouring of support and appreciated from parents and the community," Montgomery said. She said she wished the outcome could be differed but thanked Cardamone.

Julie Meadows, who retired from Deer Path Middle School six years ago after 30 years teaching science and 10 years as president and vice-president of the teacher's association, compared the handling of the situation to the controversial handling of the departure of former principal John Steinert. He resigned in 2011 after a reporter questioned the district's handling of Steinert's May 2009 conviction for sexting a Lake Forest College intern.

"The superintendent [Harry Griffith] and the board of ed met and determined that what he did was bad, so they reprimanded him, they put a letter in his file and they didn't give him his bonus for that year. For something so vile that they just let it go. I'm not saying we let bad things go," Meadows said. "OK, [Cardamone] did something wrong, reprimand him. Don't give him his damn bonus." She questioned under whether Cardamone had to resign under duress.

"I have seen people in situation where if they did not resign, even if they felt that they were not guilty or I felt that they were not guilty, if they had not resigned they would never get another job in school. I don't know what happened," she said. "I don't know what he did. I just know Tom. and Tom and I didn't always agree philosophically. We went toe-to-toe many times, but I believe that he cared about his school. I don't believe he could have done anything so vile that you need to accept that resignation."

Jean Hersey, a Deer Path music teacher for the same period Cardamone worked at the school, said she knew the former principal to have very high standards for himself who has a tendency to throw himself on his sword and feel worse about mistakes than need be.

"If it's the case that Tom is throwing himself on his sword when it's not necessary for whatever this infraction is," Hersey said, "I urge you to have him reconsider and reject his resignation and have him reinstated."

A negotiated resignation with a settlement restricting comment is not unusual for teachers or administrators facing pending disciplinary proceedings. Such proceedings remain confidential until any final judgement is made and discipline is imposed. This means if an educator is accused of wrongdoing and they resign before the proceedings are complete, potential future employers are often unable to learn about the allegations — regardless of whether they are well-founded or not.

Paul Markoff, who said he litigates privacy cases and is often among only member of the public at school board meetings, said during public comment he was not sure the public understood the difficulty board members were facing.

"You don't get to overlook the law just because a lot of people want you to disclose something. Whether it's inculpatory or exculpatory," Markoff said.

"Maybe their messaging is lacking, they're educators, board members, admin. They are not corporate communicators, they are not crisis communicators. Sure that could be improved, but they're restricted by the law. They've got difficulties with it," he added.

"Respectfully to Mr. Markoff, as a fellow attorney, this isn't about Mr. Cardamone's privacy, this is about process," responded Jennifer Harpold. "And to use a legal term, it just doesn't pass the smell test."

District parent Lana Raines said something just feels wrong about the situation. She said she was concerned whether Cardamone was provided with a fair and just process.

"I do not understand why the administration could not provide a minimal amount of additional information at the outset to quell the terrible rumors that began immediately," Raines said.

"It's hard for me to believe he has done anything that does not warrant a second chance, if anyone deserves a second change, it is Tom Cardamone," she said, adding she believed there was a growing concern about what is happening at district administrative offices.

"I question whether certain administrators have the best interests of our teachers and students at heart or whether they may be more focused on their own professional advancement," Raines said.

Board Comments

Following the period of public comment and before voting to accept Cardamone's resignation, board members each read statements.

Board secretary Alice LeVert said the board had tried to respect the principal's privacy and follow the law during the process.

"With the facts presented to us from the investigation, I believe respecting Mr. Cardamone's resignation is in the best interest of all."

Board member Jeff Folker said attendees had made compelling arguments that made his vote more difficult.

"I have no doubt that Tom has done what he believes is best for himself, for his family, for his friends and for his future," Folker said, over shouts from the audience to reject Cardamone's resignation. "I don't believe that I am personally in a position to question his motives or decision-making although I am still not quite sure the best way to honor his wishes."

Board member Suzanne Sands said Cardamone had an overwhelmingly positive impact during his tenure as principal. She said she was saddened and deeply disappointed by this turn of events, but not disappointed with the handling of the superintendent or his deputy.

"I'm disappointed by those in our community and the media who have assisted in spreading rumors based on assumptions that have been potentially harmful — who believe that with no information or details they are in a better position to make a judgement than those of us with the information and details," Sands said.

"I understand that it is frustrating not to be able to have access to all the details and facts at play. I also understand that it is very difficult to accept that someone who you know who has been a positive force in your community and your life may have done something disappointing or something that can't be undone," Sands said.

"This situation has been a challenging personnel matter that was being handled with as much discretion as was possible out of respect for those involved, and it is the reactions, responses and actions taken by some in our community without access to all the facts that have turned it into a spectacle. It did not have to play out this way," she said, before her closing remarks were delayed about 60 seconds by an outcry from the audience.

Board member Richard Chun remembered Cardamone as an amazing administrator.

"This experience has shown me that communication with parents and staff is still a problem that the board will address for the better, I promise. The community and parents have waited patiently for a decision. The board does not lead the investigation. In fact the board does not, and cannot investigate. We also have been waiting patiently as you have," Chun said. He said the board does not have the option of restoring Cardamone to his old job.

"Rejection of the resignation of Tom Cardamone does not lead to reinstatement. I've inquired about that. I've pressed them about it. They have told me unequivocally it does not lead to reinstatement. I cannot, and we cannot, interfere with the administration's duties," he said.

Board vice-president Robert Lemke said he had full confidence in the investigation as to what happened and that they warrant acceptance of the resignation.

"I look forward to doing the board's work vis a vis helping the district and community move forward and evaluating and discussing particulars that occurred along the way," Lemke said. "Although none of us want to be voting on this issue, I am confident voting to accept this resignation is the correct decision."

Board member Justin Engelland said he understood why members of the community had such respect for Cardamone and valued the culture he created at Deer Path Middle School.

"I've heard from both parents and teachers extremely frustrated about the lack of information that's been available. I've also spent many, many hours with my fellow board members, the administration, the attorneys for the district. We listened to the information related to Tom's leave of absence, we've dug deep into the details, we've asked tons of questions, we've pushed hard," Engelland said.

Engelland said district lawyers gave very restrictive advice about what could be legally shared, but even so, the administration should have communicated much more effectively.

"This is an area that requires significant improvement and it is one that I will certainly prioritized. But lastly and most importantly, I believe that the administration has managed the events related to Tom's leave and resignation with the intent of what's best for students and the district," he said.

Communication Policy

Under Simeck, who is superintendent of Lake Forest's public elementary and high school districts, administrators have repeatedly refused to answer inquiries about a variety of subjects. Records show his administration has routinely elected to treat questions as requests under the Freedom of Information Act, offering an opportunity to release the minimum amount of information required by law.

This strategy gives the district discretion to cite exemptions permitting it to choose to withhold information to the public even when the release of such information would not be prohibited by law.

For instance, when Patch sent a questionnaire to local school district administrator about anti-bullying policies to the district for Bullying Prevention Month last month, District 115 ignored it and District 67 responded with a link to a board policy and a claim that it kept no records of reported bullying incidents.

When another reporter sent a list of questions about Cardamone's departure to the district's spokesperson and public relations consultant Anne Whipple, the district treated it as a FOIA request and responded to multiple questions by saying it had "no responsive records."

While hundreds of school districts produced records in response to public records requests from two news organizations regarding student discipline, according to their correspondence with the district, Lake Forest school administrators declined for nine months to release data about how it was disciplining students until eventually appearing to attach records submitted to the U.S. Department of Education's Civil Rights Data Collection.

But it could not be determined what information the district turned over, since documents administrators provided Patch in response to a public records request did not include attachments — this despite a specific request for them. Administrators have also declined to provide attachments including previously released records, such as those referenced by its superintendent in communication to the public. (Following the publication of this article, district staff provided previously requested attachments. The submissions to the federal government showed the district indeed kept records of bullying incidents. Another showed the administration had withheld a different attachment in response to a reporter's earlier public records request. Kathy Hughes, administrative assistant to Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Hermes, said that had been an error.)

Records show Lake Forest schools are represented by the Chicago law firm Franczek. Its founder, Jim Franczek, was chief negotiator for Chicago Public Schools during its recent teacher's strike and has negotiated labor contracts on behalf of Chicago's City Hall for more than a quarter century. According to the firm's website, it has "one of the largest teams of K-12 education lawyers in Illinois."

District 67's 2019-20 budget adopted in September shows a 25 percent increase in the amount allocated to "legal services," which rose to $90,000. The district also increased its public relations budget by 2 percent to $108,000.

In its first six days, an online fundraiser on Cardamone's behalf had raised more than $6,000.

Earlier: Lake Forest Middle School Principal Resigns Without Explanation »