Controversy Over New Hire Prompts Demands For Orland District Officials To Resign, Reinstate Former Staffers

ORLAND PARK, IL — Hundreds of impassioned parents and community members filed into Meadow Ridge School in Orland Park Monday night, prepared to demand answers and action from the Orland District 135 Board of Education.

The standing room-only crowd at the board's special meeting called into question the recent hiring of Tremaine Harris, 26, as an assistant principal at Century Junior High, citing what they called poor vetting, lack of experience—and at least one offensive social media post by Harris.

The post—which has since been removed and his social media presence scrubbed—depicted Harris wearing women's clothing, with a caption including slang referring to a woman's genitals. "It should cost a billion to look this [expletive]." The image and caption—the latter of which alluded to a lyric from singer Beyoncé—sparked concern about Harris' ability to lead students.

Two weeks after the board approved hiring Harris, parents, residents, alumni and community members called for the board to rescind the offer. Harris, they say, falls short of the five years of experience required for the job, and was hired at $90,000 per year. Harris graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2021, and previously taught math at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, a CPS school on the city's South Side.

Superintendent John Bryk and the board fielded comments for 40 minutes before going into closed session for five hours. They returned only to adjourn, with no further comment or action taken.

Many say, though, that Harris' hiring—and the uproar around it—is indicative of more deep-rooted issues within the district.

'Where is the accountability?': Longtime principal, assistant principal removed

While frustration over Harris' hiring is fresh and has become widespread via social media, many parents say that it's compounded by the stewing shock of the position changes of beloved former Century administrators Dr. Brian Horn and Dr. Heather Conrad. Both were shifted out of their principal and assistant principal roles, respectively, at the end of the school year and with no public explanation, one parent told Patch. Horn had served as principal at Century since 2012, according to his LinkedIn, and Conrad became assistant principal in 2019.

In a personnel report from the board's May 6 meeting, members approved Horn's resignation as principal at Century effective June 30, and assignment as a language arts teacher at Jerling Junior High effective Aug. 18.

In meeting minutes from a special board meeting on March 25, board members approved a resolution for non-renewal of Conrad's administrator contract, and her reclassification as a teacher within the district. She'll teach at Orland Junior High this year.

Some have since called for the resignations of Bryk, Associate Superintendent Dave Snyder and HR Director Suzanne Owens.

Harris' hiring stoked parents' underlying concerns surrounding Horn and Conrad, as well as district leadership. District 135 alum Yasser Samad opened public comment by imploring the board to reconsider its decision to hire Harris, also stressing his disappointment regarding Horn and Conrad.

"This district didn't just educate me," Samad said. "It shaped me. It gave me mentors. It gave me opportunity. And most importantly, it gave me a voice, the voice I'm using here tonight.

"Recently, this district removed Dr. Horn and Dr. Conrad, leaders with nearly two decades of experience and dedication to Century Junior High, without public explanation or transparency. These weren't just administrators, however. They were mentors. They were educators. They were champions for our children. They invested their careers into our community. And now, they've been replaced by someone with no formal administrative experience.

"... Where is the accountability? Simply, where is the fairness? This isn't about attacking the new appointee. It's about the process. It's about the principle. We're talking about equity and transparency that make life-altering leadership decisions behind closed doors. That sends a chilling message to students and staff alike that loyalty doesn't matter, that decades of service can be erased overnight, that even the best leaders are disposable."

Jeana Naujokas is now listed as the principal of Century on the school's website. No other information about her is provided there. The board approved her hiring at a salary of $137,500 at its May 12 meeting. Her LinkedIn details that she worked at Oak Lawn Community High School for 14 years, beginning as an assistant principal, rising to principal for eight years, and eventually assistant superintendent. Prior to her time there, she worked for Lincoln-Way District 210 for three years as an assistant principal. She also holds a doctorate in educational leadership and administration.

'We're demanding you reconsider'

Also airing his concerns about Harris' hiring was Dean Morrell, a longtime community member and veteran representing the American Legion. He stated that the organization might nullify its awards program for Orland District 135 students, should the decision stand.

"The administration of these awards with this hire is definitely in doubt and will be reconsidered," Morrell said. "We cannot basically go against our culture, values, Americanism and citizenship. The way this situation was handled, the way this individual was brought into our district—it is beyond the realm of reality to me, with all the talent in District 135, that a suitable candidate meeting the requirements could not be hired. That this individual was brought in shows a great disrespect for current members of the school district who work within it.

"... If this individual was not properly vetted, that is sheer negligence. If he was vetted, and still hired nonetheless, that is clearly a case of dereliction of duty and gross malfeasance."

Parent Jody Benson reminded the board of their responsibility to be transparent with the people who elected them.

"I am a parent, a taxpayer, a local business owner, and most importantly, I am a registered voter," Benson said. "And on behalf of the other registered voters in the room, I can safely say that your time here in your positions, is very limited.

"... One of the comments was that we are asking you to reconsider your decision. That's not exactly accurate. We're demanding you reconsider your decision."

Benson then called for Horn and Conrad to be reinstated, with a formal apology and backpay. Applause echoed off the gymnasium walls.

'It goes beyond the hiring'

Confounded and compelled by the hiring along with other issues, a parent—who wishes to remain anonymous—last week sent a letter to members of the school board. She shared that letter with Patch.

"The Superintendent has failed to uphold the standards our community expects and deserves," the letter reads. "This failure has not only impacted our school, making us a laughingstock, but has also placed an undue burden on you as board members. I know many of you care deeply about our students, educators, and families, and I believe you have the strength and integrity to do what is right.

"I respectfully urge you to take decisive action: remove the Superintendent immediately and reinstate Dr. Horn. His leadership, dedication, and proven track record have earned the trust of our community, and his return would be a powerful step toward restoring stability and confidence in our district."

The woman said she is one of many in a "mob of angry parents" incensed by the departures of Conrad and Horn from their leadership roles. A retired longtime teacher at Century said the two were well-liked and respected by the school community. Both Horn and Conrad also hold doctorate degrees.

"What’s going on in the district is dysfunctional," said the teacher, who taught at the school for 28 years and spoke with Patch on the condition of anonymity. "It goes beyond the hiring."

Horn's accomplishments at the school are many, and his educational background runs deep. He serves as mentor for new principals for the Illinois Principal Association, mentor for beginning teachers for the Golden Apple Foundation, and a board member for the association of Illinois Middle Schools. He holds a doctorate, three master's degrees, bachelor's degree, certificate of advanced school leadership from Harvard School of Education, as well as teaching, principal, superintendent, and chief school business official endorsements, according to his LinkedIn.

The Illinois Principals Association named Horn as South Cook Region's Principal of the Year in 2019. In 2017 and 2021, he was recognized as a Golden Apple Foundation Leader of Distinction. Recipients of the award have "demonstrated exceptional leadership and a significant positive impact on their school community. They inspire teachers, create a positive learning environment, and foster student growth and achievement."

Under his leadership, Century was the district's only junior high designated as an Apple Distinguished School—a nod from the tech giant for schools that are "centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology."

It was also the district's only school to land on The National Forum's "Schools to Watch" list, which recognizes schools in 20 states that are "focused on serving the social, emotional, and academic needs of each student in culturally relevant and inclusive ways."

The district's woes then, the teacher said, can be traced back to leadership's alleged treatment of Horn and Conrad.

"I witnessed the harassment that Horn and Conrad dealt with," he said. "If we had not harassed Horn and Conrad out of a job, we wouldn’t be dealing with any of this."

Recent harassment, the retired teacher said, was not the first Conrad had endured. In 2017, Conrad filed a lawsuit that accused the district of sex discrimination and retaliation. Specifically, she accused former Superintendent DJ Skogsberg of failing to promote her because she declined his sexual advances. Skogsberg resigned in June 2019. In July 2019, Conrad settled the suit and was named an assistant principal at Century.

While the uproar over Harris' hiring is making headlines, the district's issues run deeper, the teacher told Patch.

"I don’t even care if they hire this kid," he said, "but it’s the track record of messes that this administration is making. ... There needs to be repercussion for lack of leadership."

'This is about our kids'

Speakers on Monday roiled with allegations of negligence by the board in Harris' hiring, the apparent boiling point among parents and community members.

"While the head-scratching decisions go back several years, the current level of distrust held by community members along with staff is at an all-time high," said Matt MacKanin. "... we tell kids all the time, 'if you see something, say something.' Well, it's time we all say something. There are people at district office that would rather collect a big paycheck than do what's best for Orland 135. ...

"... when you go to closed session, do what's right. Ask the tough questions. Hold people accountable for what they did. If jobs have to be lost, then so be it. They did it to many others over the years, so they shouldn't be treated any differently. ... It's not 'what happened to Orland District 135?' It's who happened to Orland 135."

Lifelong Orland Park resident and mother of four Brittany Ulaszek pulled the focus back onto Harris, his social media post and qualifications. Ulaszek has homeschooled her children since 2020, with her children scheduled to return to the district this coming school year.

“Not only is this unprofessional, it is also extremely offensive to me as a woman and as a mother," Ulaszek said, of Harris' social media post. "... At the age of 26, he doesn’t seem to be qualified or even experienced enough for this position. Other candidates may have been a better fit for this, so I hope you reconsider."

"This isn’t about an agenda item," said Michelle Collins, a parent of Century Jr. High graduate and an incoming sixth grader. "This is about our kids."

The board did not engage directly with the audience or speakers throughout public comment, as per policy. Board Vice President Alan Kastengren spoke briefly before the board broke into closed session.

"...I may not agree with everything that's been said here" he said, interrupted by jeers from the audience, "but I’d rather have an engaged public, than an apathetic one.

"I would have preferred to have this discussion after closed session. We as a board have not had a chance to meet, we have not had a chance to have our questions answered. ..."

"You should have met before a decision was made," an audience member interjected.

"Before we start hiring cross-dressers!" another mocked.

The board's closed session lasted for five hours, with no action taken after other than to adjourn.

Patch has reached out to Superintendent Bryk and Board President Nichole Browner for comment; as of Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., neither have issued one.

The next scheduled board of education meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, at Center School, 9407 W 151st St.