Post by refbasics on Feb 18, 2009 19:00:18 GMT -6
www.dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=273200
Pressure mounts as new charge filed against District 204 studentBy Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 2/18/2009 6:02 PM | Updated: 2/18/2009 6:02 PM
Pressure is building on Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials this week after a misdemeanor battery charge was filed against an 11-year-old Gregory Middle School student already accused of sexually assaulting a classmate.
The school board previously was scheduled to address parents' growing concerns Monday night, but now that session is expected to be even more tense than anticipated.
Charles Pelkie, spokesman for Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, confirmed this week that the misdemeanor battery charge was filed against one of two preteen Naperville boys accused of sexually assaulting a classmate last November in a home off campus.
The alleged battery took place at Gregory Middle School, 2621 Springdale Circle, the day after the alleged assault, authorities said.
Two Naperville boys from the school, a 12-year-old and the 11-year-old, already faced charges of felony counts of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault.
According to police, the first incident occurred Nov. 11 in an unsupervised home.
During the past week, school board members have heard from the victim's family and other parents urging them to remove the accused attackers from Gregory, where all three boys are classmates. But district officials and lawyers have maintained there is nothing they can do because the initial incident took place off school property.
The latest charge may provide the district with more leverage, though, because the incident allegedly occurred in school.
District 204 attorney Jack Canna did not return calls to his office Tuesday and Wednesday and Superintendent Stephen Daeschner could not be reached for comment.
District spokeswoman Janet Buglio, however, said board members hope to address several of those issues Monday.
"The board is scheduled to meet Monday night with legal counsel to review policies and state law regarding student discipline as it relates to this matter," Buglio said Wednesday.
Late last week, state Rep. Darlene J. Senger, a Republican from Naperville, proposed legislation that would allow school districts to transfer students accused of committing felonies into alternative educational programs.
The victim's father wrote in an e-mail correspondence Tuesday that his son was attacked inside the school in the battery case, resulting in the new charges.
"Yes - my son was assaulted in school as well," the father wrote. "The school district has been aware since it occurred, and yet the superintendent has failed to act."
Pressure mounts as new charge filed against District 204 studentBy Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 2/18/2009 6:02 PM | Updated: 2/18/2009 6:02 PM
Pressure is building on Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials this week after a misdemeanor battery charge was filed against an 11-year-old Gregory Middle School student already accused of sexually assaulting a classmate.
The school board previously was scheduled to address parents' growing concerns Monday night, but now that session is expected to be even more tense than anticipated.
Charles Pelkie, spokesman for Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow, confirmed this week that the misdemeanor battery charge was filed against one of two preteen Naperville boys accused of sexually assaulting a classmate last November in a home off campus.
The alleged battery took place at Gregory Middle School, 2621 Springdale Circle, the day after the alleged assault, authorities said.
Two Naperville boys from the school, a 12-year-old and the 11-year-old, already faced charges of felony counts of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault.
According to police, the first incident occurred Nov. 11 in an unsupervised home.
During the past week, school board members have heard from the victim's family and other parents urging them to remove the accused attackers from Gregory, where all three boys are classmates. But district officials and lawyers have maintained there is nothing they can do because the initial incident took place off school property.
The latest charge may provide the district with more leverage, though, because the incident allegedly occurred in school.
District 204 attorney Jack Canna did not return calls to his office Tuesday and Wednesday and Superintendent Stephen Daeschner could not be reached for comment.
District spokeswoman Janet Buglio, however, said board members hope to address several of those issues Monday.
"The board is scheduled to meet Monday night with legal counsel to review policies and state law regarding student discipline as it relates to this matter," Buglio said Wednesday.
Late last week, state Rep. Darlene J. Senger, a Republican from Naperville, proposed legislation that would allow school districts to transfer students accused of committing felonies into alternative educational programs.
The victim's father wrote in an e-mail correspondence Tuesday that his son was attacked inside the school in the battery case, resulting in the new charges.
"Yes - my son was assaulted in school as well," the father wrote. "The school district has been aware since it occurred, and yet the superintendent has failed to act."
