D230 Board Postpones Action To Fire Cheer Coach

PALOS HILLS, IL -- The Dist. 230 Board of Education postponed deliberating on the possible dismissal of a cheerleading coach who has accused the Stagg High School athletic director of sexual harassment. D230 board members were to have considered firing the cheer coach during Thursday’s board meeting on grounds that she texted a student against district policy. The coach claims it’s in retaliation for standing up to the athletic director’s alleged sexual harassment.

Coach Bridget Guzior filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights six weeks ago alleging that she was sexually harassed by Stagg Athletic Director Terry Treasure. According to the complaint, Treasure frequently commented on the coach’s body, calling her “hot” and “in shape,” and that he wished he were younger so he could have dated her. Guzior also claimed that during a 2014 performance review, Treasure “aggressively” hugged her, pushing her breasts against his body and kissing her on the head.

In August, the coach was suspended for texting a student, but Guzior’s attorney, Thomas Skallas, maintains that it was part of a group text, which included the student’s mother. Skallas asserts that his client is being targeted by district administrators and certain board members for speaking out about alleged sexual harassment by Treasure. The attorney issued a written statement on his client’s behalf, stating the Guzior stands by the allegations detailed in her complaint to IDHR.

“Any attempt to discredit the statements made in her complaint are simply age-old victim-blaming that the targets of harassment know all too well ... As we have all learned from the news coverage over the last few weeks, the least common response to harassment is to take some formal action—either to report the harassment internally or file a formal legal complaint ... Employees who experience harassment fail to report the harassing behavior or to file a complaint because they fear disbelief of their claim, inaction on their claim, blame, or social or professional retaliation.”

D230 ‘s communications director Carla Erdey sent an email late Thursday afternoon saying that board members were going to postpone taking action on Guzior’s dismissal.

“The school board wants to assure it takes into consideration additional information that has come forward prior to taking action,” Erdey said. “Ms. Guzior’s recommended dismissal is completely unrelated to her recently reported allegations of harassment by the Stagg athletic director. These allegations are under separate investigation by district legal counsel and will be handled consistent with District policies which prohibit sexual harassment of employees and students.”

The coach also reportedly posted on Twitter Tuesday according to WGN: “Today we would have began our journey for the first state championship in 30 years. Instead #metoo. It isn’t just happening in Hollywood.”

RELATED:

• Cheerleading Coach Files Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Stagg Athletic Director
• Cheer Coach Stands By Sex Harassment Charges Against Stagg Athletic Director: Attorney