D135 Board Distances Itself From Hiring Process As Controversy Over New Administrator Continues

ORLAND PARK, IL — Days after a standing-room only crowd demanded answers, transparency and action at an Orland District 135 Board of Education special meeting, the board on Friday has released a statement to the community.

In it, the board contends it is not responsible for the vetting and management of personnel. Those duties, they say, fall to the superintendent and "paid professionals under his supervision."

"As a school board, we are committed to transparency, equity, and accountability to the Orland Park 135 community.

We understand that personnel decisions can spark strong opinions.

However, we cannot ethically discuss or debate individual employment matters in open session.

We also wish to clarify that the Board of Education does not participate in the day-to-day hiring activities for individual positions. Responsibility for assessing candidates for hire and managing issues with personnel lies with the Superintendent, and the paid professionals under his supervision.

Thank you for your continued involvement in our schools and for supporting a district where every child and every employee can thrive."

Patch also contacted Superintendent John Bryk directly for a statement, but he has not issued one.

<< READ ALSO: Controversy Over New Hire Prompts Demands For Orland District Officials To Resign, Reinstate Former Staffers >>

Hundreds of impassioned parents and community members filed into Meadow Ridge School in Orland Park Monday night, prepared to confront the board regarding a recent assistant principal hiring. They questioned the hiring of Tremaine Harris, 26, as assistant principal for 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—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 school on Chicago's South Side.

Many since, though, have said that the uproar around Harris' hiring is indicative of more deep-rooted issues within the district. Namely, parents say, the removal of beloved administrators Dr. Brian Horn and Dr. Heather Conrad from their positions of principal and vice principal, respectively, also at Century Junior High.

Both were shifted out of their roles at the end of the school year 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.

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.

No action regarding Harris was taken at the July 28 meeting. After 40 minutes of open session, followed by a five-hour closed session, the board returned only to adjourn.

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