Burr Ridge School District Faces Federal Civil Rights Inquiry

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The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation into Burr Ridge-based Pleasantdale School District 107's response to reports of sexual harassment involving a teacher. A resident filed a complaint alleging the district discriminated against female students and staff by failing to adequately address the harassment claims.

Why it matters

This federal civil rights investigation highlights ongoing concerns about how school districts handle sexual harassment allegations, especially when they involve teachers. The case has divided the Pleasantdale community, with debates over the district's policies and transparency around such complaints.

The details

The civil rights complaint was filed by resident Laura Kitaeff, who alleged the district showed "deliberate indifference" to "repeated reports of sexual harassment" and failed to respond appropriately. Last year, the district heard a complaint that an employee sexually harassed another, but the district's lawyer said it did not reach "formal" status, which some residents questioned. The teacher accused of harassment was also previously accused of sexually abusing a student seven years ago, an allegation that resurfaced last year before police cleared the teacher.

• The federal investigation was opened this week in response to the resident's complaint.
• Last year, the district heard a complaint about an employee sexually harassing another.
• Last month, a state lawmaker introduced a bill to bar districts from requiring harassment reports be "formal" to trigger an investigation.

What’s next

The judge overseeing the federal civil rights investigation will determine next steps, including whether the district's handling of the harassment allegations violated any laws.