The Accountability Project began with experiences documented elsewhere on this site. Those experiences, however, do not exist in a vacuum.
Over a period of years, students, parents and community members have publicly raised concerns involving bullying, discrimination, student safety and the handling of Title IX matters within Community High School District 128.
This page collects independent news reporting, public meeting records and District 128's own documents so readers can examine that broader public record for themselves.
Our standard: An allegation is not a finding of wrongdoing. Where a source reports an allegation, it is identified as an allegation. Where District 128 responded publicly, that response is included when available. Readers are encouraged to review the original sources and reach their own conclusions.
In September 2015, former Chicago Bears player Desmond Clark publicly alleged that his son had experienced years of racial harassment while attending Vernon Hills High School.
CBS Chicago reported that Clark said the incidents began during his son's freshman year and included racial slurs and other racist comments from students. Clark said his family initially attempted to address the incidents privately with the school.
District 128's response
Vernon Hills High School disputed aspects of Clark's characterization. CBS Chicago reported that the school said it had taken the family's concerns seriously when they were raised and had addressed them.
The concerns reach the District 128 Board of Education
Later that month, Clark appeared before the Community High School District 128 Board of Education and called for diversity programming for students and staff. The Daily Herald reported that Clark also told board members that other students and adults had approached him about race-related incidents involving both District 128 high schools.
Original reporting
CBS Chicago — Ex-Bear Details Alleged Racial Abuse His Son Endured at North Suburban High School
WTTW Chicago Tonight — Desmond Clark Says Family is Victim of Racism
ABC7 Chicago — Former Bear Desmond Clark turns himself in to police
In March 2018, Vernon Hills High School administrators contacted police after learning of possible criminal conduct involving a staff member and a student. The resulting investigation led to criminal sexual-assault charges against part-time assistant soccer coach Cori Beard.
Authorities alleged that Beard had engaged in unlawful sexual activity with students. She was initially charged with 12 counts of criminal sexual assault, and police subsequently reported that additional former students had come forward with similar allegations.
District 128's response
District 128 moved to terminate Beard's employment. Contemporary reporting stated that, after administrators learned of the possible criminal conduct, they contacted law enforcement and took steps to prevent Beard from having further contact with students or staff. The Board subsequently voted to dismiss her.
Why this case is included
This incident is included because it provides an important part of District 128's public record involving allegations of sexual misconduct toward students. It also documents an instance in which VHHS administrators reported suspected criminal conduct to law enforcement and the District took employment action.
Former special-education teacher and District 128 named as defendants
A lawsuit filed against former Libertyville High School special-education teacher Parker Rohde, Libertyville High School and District 128 alleged that Rohde engaged in sexual grooming, assault and abuse involving a 15-year-old student with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities during the fall 2024 semester.
The lawsuit alleged that Rohde exploited the student's disability and trust and further alleged that school staff and administrators had actual or constructive knowledge of misconduct. It also alleged that, despite what the complaint characterized as an extensive history of prior misconduct, the District reassigned Rohde rather than terminating his employment. These are allegations contained in civil litigation, not findings of liability.
District 128's response
District officials acknowledged the lawsuit but said they could not publicly discuss claims involving a student and personnel because of federal and state confidentiality requirements. The District said it would provide additional information if and when appropriate.
The allegations prompt public demands for accountability
The lawsuit became a focus of criticism at subsequent District 128 Board meetings. Parents and community members questioned how earlier concerns had been handled and called for administrators and Board members to be held accountable.
Lake & McHenry County Scanner article
CBS Chicago — Lawsuit Alleges Sexual Misconduct by Retired Libertyville High School Teacher
District email addresses handling of the Rohde voicemail
In April 2026, CBS Chicago reported obtaining an email from District 128 Superintendent Denise Herrmann to the mother of the student involved in the Rohde lawsuit.
According to CBS, Herrmann wrote that after District administrators received a voicemail from Rohde, they had a duty to report the matter immediately to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). CBS reported that the District did not make that report.
The voicemail, which became part of the public controversy surrounding the case, included Rohde describing a classroom practice of awarding extra credit to a student who voluntarily hugged him and told him that they loved him.
District's public position
When CBS subsequently sought answers from District 128, the District did not respond to the outlet's specific questions. A District spokesperson stated that the District was following all required laws and procedures and would provide additional information when appropriate.
Why this distinction matters
The civil lawsuit contains allegations that have not been adjudicated. The superintendent's email, as reported by CBS, is different: it documents the District's own acknowledgment that administrators had a duty to make a DCFS report after receiving the voicemail. CBS reported that the District did not make that report.
CBS Chicago — District 128 Administrator on Leave After Grooming Allegations Against Former Teacher
CBS Chicago — District 128 administrator placed on leave amid grooming controversy
District 128's own Board of Education records document an ongoing Title IX review and action-plan process during 2025 and 2026.
According to materials presented to the Board in February 2026, an independent Title IX audit was conducted by the law firm Kriha Boucek, with recommendations based on standards of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The stated focus included locker-room accessibility and equity and disparities associated with private funding and booster-club donations at Vernon Hills and Libertyville high schools.
District records show that the resulting Title IX Action Plan was reviewed or updated before the Board multiple times during 2025, including in January, March, June and October. Another Title IX Audit Update was presented to the Board on February 23, 2026.
Public commenters subsequently raise broader Title IX and reporting concerns
At the March 16, 2026 District 128 Board of Education meeting, multiple parents and community members used the public-comment period to raise concerns involving Title IX, mandated reporting, student safety and administrative accountability.
Speakers addressed matters extending beyond athletics and identified specific administrators in their criticism. Several called for administrative action or resignations, including calls for Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly to be placed on administrative leave pending an independent investigation.
These statements were allegations made during public comment, not findings by the Board or another governmental body. They are included here because they form part of the public record concerning Title IX oversight within District 128.
District responsibility for complaints
At the time of the events described above, District 128 identified Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly as its Non-discrimination Coordinator and identified Assistant Principal Greg Stilling as one of Vernon Hills High School's Complaint Managers. The District's “Report a Concern” materials direct the public to policies governing Title IX sexual harassment, harassment of students, bullying, intimidation and related grievance procedures.
District 128 Board of Education — March 16, 2026, Meeting
Official District meeting record. Relevant public comments begin at approximately 14:29 and continue through approximately 37:10. Multiple speakers raise concerns involving Title IX, mandated-reporting obligations, student safety and administrative accountability, with several calling for administrative action or resignations.
District 128 — February 23, 2026, Title IX Audit Update
Official District 128 Board record. Agenda Item 4.B documents Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly's Title IX Audit Update and includes the District's February 23, 2026, Title IX Action Plan Update.
Citizen Portal — March 16, 2026, Board Meeting
Secondary account and searchable meeting material concerning the public comments described above.
District 128 — Report a Concern
District page identifying complaint procedures and responsible administrators.
On April 28, 2026, District 128 placed Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly on leave. The District did not publicly provide a reason for the action, its expected duration or other details.
The action came one day after an April 27 Board of Education meeting at which parents and community members again raised concerns about the District's handling of allegations involving sexual grooming, student complaints and mandated-reporting requirements. Contemporary news coverage described the leave in the context of that continuing public criticism, while noting that District officials declined to explain the personnel action.
District 128 records produced in response to an August 2026 Freedom of Information Act request show that Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly remains employed by the District and continues to be listed on approved administrative leave.
The District's leave records show Kelly's administrative leave beginning April 28, 2026 and continuing through August 24, 2026. The employment-status record provided by the District lists his employment status as “Regular - Regular” and does not reflect an end date or termination.
In response to a request for any Board-approved employment action, personnel action, notice, agreement, resolution or other final administrative record reflecting the commencement, continuation, modification or conclusion of Kelly's leave or other change in employment status, District 128 responded: “No responsive records.” The District likewise reported no responsive records showing Kelly had separated from District employment.
Board President Jim Batson retires
Less than three weeks later, Board President Jim Batson retired from the District 128 Board of Education effective May 13, 2026. Batson had served on the District 128 Board since 2011 and had been its president since 2024.
The District thanked Batson for his service but did not publicly provide a reason for his retirement or its timing. Contemporary reporting noted that his departure occurred during a period of continuing criticism of the Board and administration over their handling of grooming allegations and other student complaints.
The timing of these personnel changes does not establish why either occurred. District 128 did not publicly attribute Kelly's leave or Batson's retirement to the complaints raised during public comment.
The chronology is nevertheless part of the public record: community members repeatedly called for administrative accountability during Board meetings in March and April; Kelly was placed on leave effective April 28; and Batson retired effective May 13.
District 128 — April 27, 2026, Board of Education Meeting
Official District meeting record for the Board meeting immediately preceding Kelly's placement on leave. Public commenters again raised concerns involving student safety, mandated reporting and administrative accountability.
CBS Chicago — April 28, 2026
Contemporary reporting confirming that District 128 placed Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly on leave. District officials declined to disclose the reason for the personnel action.
District 128 — Interim Human Resources Leadership, May 1, 2026
District announcement concerning interim leadership following Kelly's placement on leave.
Lake & McHenry County Scanner — May 2, 2026
District 128 Administrator Placed on Leave Amid Backlash Over Teacher Grooming Accusations.
District 128 — Board of Education Announces Retirement of Board Member Jim Batson, May 15, 2026
Official District announcement confirming Batson's retirement from the Board of Education effective May 13, 2026.
District 128 — August 24, 2026, FOIA Response: Briant Kelly Employment Status and Leave Records
District response and accompanying records showing Kelly remained employed and on approved administrative leave through August 24, 2026. The District reported no responsive final administrative or Board records concerning a change or conclusion of his employment status.
During public comment at the June 22, 2026, District 128 Board of Education meeting, attorney and District 128 graduate Marne Navarro again criticized the District's handling of mandated reporting, student safety and Title IX matters.
Navarro referred back to allegations that District personnel had failed to report suspected abuse and grooming and stated that an investigation involving individuals who allegedly knew of misconduct remained ongoing. Her comments followed months of public criticism surrounding the Parker Rohde litigation and the District's handling of related complaints.
Navarro also referenced a federal civil-rights complaint filed against District 128 concerning Title IX. Awake Illinois states that it filed a complaint concerning Community High School District 128 with the U.S. Department of Justice on May 18, 2026, challenging District policies involving sex-segregated facilities and related Title IX protections. The filing of a complaint does not establish that the allegations are true or that the Department of Justice has made findings against District 128.
As with other public-comment material included on this page, Navarro's statements represent her allegations and legal characterizations rather than findings by the Board or another governmental body.
District 128 Board of Education — June 22, 2026, Meeting
Official District meeting record. Public comment was Agenda Item 5.B. Marne Navarro's comments begin at approximately 4:14 and conclude at approximately 7:50.
August 24, 2026
On August 24, 2026, the Community High School District 128 Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution initiating the contractual process for the proposed discharge for cause of Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly.
According to the resolution read publicly at the Board meeting, Kelly's administrative contract permits discharge for conduct prejudicial to the District, including neglect of duty or breach of contract. The resolution states that District administration had received notice of alleged misconduct that “may warrant discharge for cause.”
The resolution further states that District administration conducted a “full review” and provided Kelly an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The Board directed the superintendent to provide Kelly written reasons for the proposed discharge and notice of his contractual right to appear before the Board. The Board's legal counsel was directed to schedule a special Board meeting at which Kelly may address those reasons in closed session.
The resolution was adopted on August 24 by unanimous roll-call vote.
Kelly's role is directly relevant to documented concerns previously raised on this site regarding District 128's handling of student complaints and Title IX.
In October 2025, Kelly personally informed a VHHS family that District 128 would pause a Title IX investigation unless both parents agreed to proceed, despite the District having received continuing reports of alleged harassment. That correspondence is documented separately on this site.
The August 24 action does not establish what misconduct forms the basis for Kelly's proposed discharge, and the Board has not yet made a final discharge decision. The District's publicly read resolution does, however, establish that:
District administration received notice of alleged misconduct potentially warranting discharge for cause;
the District conducted a full review;
Kelly was given an opportunity to respond; and
the Board unanimously authorized the formal contractual process for proposed discharge for cause.
Those are District 128's own statements—not allegations made by members of the public.
District 128 Board Meeting — August 24, 2026
The Board's proposed discharge-for-cause resolution concerning Associate Superintendent Briant Kelly begins at approximately 3:00.
At its August 24, 2026 meeting, the District 128 Board approved separate settlement agreements identified in its FOIA response as “Former Student 824” and “Jane Doe.” The signed agreements provide for payments totaling $675,000. Neither agreement is an admission of wrongdoing.
The Board agreed to pay $125,000 to settle claims involving a former Libertyville High School student identified in the public records as “Former Student 824.” The agreement states that it is not an admission of liability or a violation of law or policy.
The Board agreed to a $550,000 settlement of the Jane Doe lawsuit involving Libertyville High School. The agreement provides for the Board’s insurer to issue payment after the specified court-approval and signature conditions. It expressly disclaims an admission of wrongful conduct. The settlement is not a court finding that the allegations were proved.
In its September 11, 2026 FOIA response, the District stated that its insurance carrier is paying the full settlement amounts. The records establish the agreed amounts, not that the payments have already been issued.
Sources: signed settlement agreements and District 128’s September 11, 2026 FOIA response.