Dist. 135 Supt. DJ Skogsberg Takes Unexpected Leave Of Absence

ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland District 135 surprised parents Wednesday night with an alert that Supt. DJ Skogsberg has taken an unexpected leave of absence.

"I wish I could share more but I cannot discuss the details as this is an HR issue," School Board President Laura Berry said in an email.

Assistant Superintendent John Bryk said that Skogsberg's leave began March 12 and that it did not require school-board approval. No return date has been set.

"It all happened very quickly," he said.

Bryk said he could not comment any further because the leave is a personnel issue.

Bryk will be handling Skogsberg's duties in the interim, he said.

Skogsberg could not be reached for comment.

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The district has been under scrutiny for a $2.5 million budget deficit.

In February, a lawsuit between a teacher who alleged she was not promoted because she declined advances by Superintendent DJ Skogsberg and Orland District 135 moved forward in the court system.

Heather Conrad, a Jerling Junior High teacher, filed a lawsuit in 2017 that accuses the district of sex discrimination and retaliation.

The district has denied all of her allegations.

In 2016, shortly after Skogsberg was named superintendent, Conrad said she mentioned to him that she was looking to become a principal in the district. At the time, Conrad had been serving as an assistant principal.

In her suit, Conrad claimed that after that, on several occasions, Skogsberg told her they "need to go out" or "get together," "I love you" and "I'll take care of you."

Months later, Skogsberg told her she was being relieved of her position and was given the choice to resign, be fired, or resign and be demoted to a teaching position.

Read more about that story here.

Look up Skogsberg's contract with the district here.