Report contradicts District 67 superintendent over principal's sexy texts

Report contradicts District 67 superintendent over principal's sexy texts


Inquiry finds that schools chief told board in 2009 about explicit messages sent to intern

By Lisa Black, Chicago Tribune reporter
11:17 PM CST, February 29, 2012

Lake Forest schools chief Harry Griffith said publicly in November that, before being contacted by the Tribune, he was unaware of the lewdness of texts sent by a middle school principal that resulted in a 2009 harassment conviction.

Griffith expressed shock and outrage last fall and said he would recommend that Deer Path Middle School principal John Steinert be fired. Steinert, now 40, characterized the texts sent on his district-issued cellphone as "flirtatious," said Griffith, adding that he would have handled the matter differently had he known more.

Yet a report released Tuesday on District 67's handling of the matter says the superintendent told school board members in 2009 that the messages Steinert sent to a college intern were "very aggressive" and "very explicit." Steinert also had told another administrator that the texts requested "a specific sexual act," the report said.

Steinert, who did not reveal to school officials that he also had sent a photo of his genitals to the intern, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor electronic harassment in May 2009.

He resigned in November after the Tribune revealed his conviction. He declined comment Wednesday.

Griffith, who couldn't be reached Wednesday, has said that after learning of Steinert's arrest in January 2009, he admonished him in writing, required him to seek counseling and temporarily froze his salary. Yet within the next school year, Steinert received a bonus.

"My disappointment in this is deep. John was not forthcoming," Griffith said at a public meeting in November. "There is no way I am going to recommend that John Steinert keep his employment."

Some Lake Forest residents, like Michael Beacham, say they believe administrators tried to cover up Steinert's conviction.

"The board is complicit in this lie," said Beacham, who wants Griffith and some board members to resign. "They know what happened, but they refuse to do any introspection or to hold anyone accountable for the bungling of this matter in 2009."

Board Vice President John Julian said he believes Griffith "was recalling to his best recollection conversations that would have taken place almost three years ago."

Julian also pointed to Tuesday's report, prepared by attorney Ronald Safer, that found no wrongdoing by school officials.

Safer, who was paid up to $25,000 to prepare the report, found that officials didn't conceal information but failed to investigate Steinert's actions fully.

"He certainly did conclude that the board and administration acted in accordance of the guidance at the time and in good faith," Julian said.

According to Gurnee police, Steinert admitted to texting the intern repeatedly in 2008 and early 2009. Some of the texts were sexually explicit and continued despite her requests to stop.

"Hindsight is 20-20," Safer said. "The lesson from this is to consult experts in the field when you are not certain of the path to follow."

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