Winnetka School Board to Provide Files on Accused Former Teacher

The following is a letter from the D36 School Board:

An Open Letter to The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 Community:

Over the past two weeks, The Winnetka Public Schools has communicated with our parents, staff, and community about the District’s cooperation in the ongoing Wyoming law enforcement investigation of former employee Bill Bricker. Bricker served as a physical education teacher at Hubbard Woods School three decades ago from 1949 to 1985. The investigation is related to inappropriate conduct with minors that occurred in Wyoming.

Last week, The Winnetka Public Schools provided records from Mr. Bricker’s personnel file to law enforcement authorities both in Wyoming and here in Winnetka. We will continue to cooperate fully in any law enforcement investigations of this matter moving forward.

As longtime Winnetka residents and parents ourselves, we know and value the trust that our community places in its schools and its educators. We believe it is our responsibility to be forthcoming with the community, and we want potential victims to know how seriously this School Board takes these issues. We have elected to make Mr. Bricker’s redacted files available upon request to anyone who feels they might be helped by reviewing them. As required by law, identifying personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) has been redacted.

The Winnetka Public Schools website, www.winnetka36.org, contains a brief form to provide your contact information if you wish to request these documents. You can also call the District Office at 847-446-9400 to make this request. Materials will be sent via U.S. postal mail. We will process requests within three days of receipt. Due to the sensitivity of this information, any requests must come from persons 18 years of age and older.

We want to emphasize that The Winnetka Public Schools is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety in our schools. The District has implemented a wide range of processes and procedures that protect students. We are also sensitive and responsive to concerns expressed by anyone in our school community.

Specifically, The Winnetka Public Schools conducts criminal background checks as a part of our pre-employment process. In addition, all faculty and staff participate in annual mandatory training regarding the parameters of appropriate conduct with minor students, as well as other topics related to maintaining a safe school environment. Our staff also affirms in writing their acknowledgement of a duty to report any situations that could cause harm or present a danger to a student. In light of this recent situation, these protocols have been reviewed with all staff and a training session on this topic was held in all District 36 schools this week.

This information is not being discussed in our schools. In the event your child learns about this situation from another source, age-appropriate resource materials that can be used to respond to students’ questions or comments can be accessedhere. In addition, District 36 social workers will be available for consultation with parents and staff should they seek assistance.

If you have questions, concerns, or information relevant to this specific investigation, please contact Charlotte Reynolds with the Teton County Sheriff’s Office at 307-732-5786. Anyone with information regarding a crime in Winnetka should contact the Winnetka Police Department at 847-501-6034.

Parents, staff, or community members with questions about The Winnetka Public Schools’ current practices should contact Marcia Sutter at 847-446-9400 ormarciasutter@winnetka36.org.

As always, we thank you for your support of The Winnetka Public Schools and our students.

Sincerely,

The Winnetka Public Schools Board

Kendra Wallace, President

William Meuer, Vice President

Betsy Owens, Secretary

Dana Crumley

Matthew Hulsizer

Jon Kaplan

Thomas Shannon