State Investigates Argo Leader's Spending

SUMMIT, IL – The Illinois School Board of Education is investigating the spending by the superintendent of Argo Community High School and has issued a subpoena, according to the school.

That was cited as a main reason to put Superintendent William Toulios on paid leave April 16.

In a statement at the time, the school said the board made the decision. But under the state's open meetings law, the board must vote on such an action in a public meeting. That did not happen in this case until a week after the leave began.

At Wednesday's board meeting, then-board President Dan Kozal said he actually decided to place Toulios on leave.

In his statement, Kozal said he decided to temporarily remove Toulios from the building until the board could take action.

But the board's policies give the president no independent power to put the superintendent or any other employee on leave.

At the meeting, the board voted to put Toulios on leave and appoint Principal Brandon Cotter as the interim superintendent. Members also decided to hire a forensic accountant to investigate Toulios' spending.

In Kozal's April 16 letter to Toulios, Kozal barred him from school grounds and school events, absent the president's permission.

At last week's board meeting, members elected Jennifer Grenier as the new president.

Kozal, Grenier and other board members have not returned Patch's messages for comment on the legality of the original decision on the superintendent's leave.

Through his attorney, Toulios defended himself and warned that he may sue the board if he is not reinstated.

In 2023, the board for Hinsdale High School District 86 decided to suspend the superintendent. But it took the action behind closed doors and did not let the public know until the next day.

Patch filed a complaint with the attorney general's office, contending the vote should have been taken in public. A year later, the office found the board violated the state's Open Meetings Act.