Guilty! Michael R. Vucic, Ingleside, Illinois (charged Aug 2014)

Gavin School District 37
September 24, 2014
Statement to the Community
District 37 School Board & Administration
As you are aware, a few weeks ago, on August 26, the District was contacted by the Lake County Sheriff’s office to notify us that an arrest warrant had been issued against Michael R. Vucic, a teacher at Gavin Middle School, for alleged inappropriate conduct with at least one student who previously attended that school.
Like you, we were shocked and saddened by these allegations.
The safety and well-being of our students is always the highest priority of this Board and Administration.
Working with law enforcement, we took immediate action to help ensure Mr. Vucic would be prohibited from having contact with Gavin students and all other minors under the age of 18 as the law enforcement proceedings continued.
As you are aware, the Lake County Sheriff’s department subsequently determined that Mr. Vucic had fled the country.
It is our understanding that he has been located and that extradition proceedings are currently underway.
We have continued to cooperate fully in the law enforcement investigation of this matter.
Late last week, we were contacted again with more shocking and disturbing news.
The Lake County Sheriff informed us of an on-going investigation that other Gavin South Middle School teachers had reason to report concerns about Mr. Vucic’s inappropriate conduct involving a minor, but failed in their professional responsibility to report this information to school officials or the authorities.
The District immediately referred this matter to the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services and will cooperate in their investigation.
Any teacher reported to DCFS will be put on administrative leave as the first step toward possible additional disciplinary action.
Because this process is ongoing, we are unable to release the names of the specific teachers involved.
Our community, including members of this Board and Administration, have been outraged by these allegations and that they could have occurred despite many precautions, including routine criminal background checks of all new employees and annual training and written confirmation by each staff member—including those involved in this incident—of their knowledge of the appropriate parameters for faculty-student conduct and of their professional responsibility to report any inappropriate conduct involving a minor.
Please rest assured, this Board will not hesitate to take dismissal action against these and any other employees who are found to have been engaged in inappropriate conduct with or failed to take steps to report and protect our students against such incidents.
In fact, we expect to take dismissal action on these matters at an upcoming Board meeting, potentially as soon as October 14.
Through all of this, we are trying to maintain a strong focus on teaching and learning to minimize disruption to our students.
That said, we are realistic and understand the anger and unrest this matter has caused.
We are committed to supporting our students and families in dealing with these emotions.
Social workers from both District 37 and surrounding districts have been made available to assist those in need.
We have also partnered with the Gurnee-based Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center to provide additional support and assistance.
They and the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center will continue to provide annual sexual abuse education to our students and teachers as a part of a new state law, Erin’s Law, implemented last year.
This year’s session has been requested for the October/November timeframe.
In addition, we hope to plan with these agencies a parent/community education night to go over the information given to students and teachers and to provide information regarding our school policies, practices, and protocols.
We want to emphasize that District policy and privacy considerations preclude us from commenting on personnel matters or responding to specific questions in that regard.
Finally, our role at Gavin, be it elected school board members from our community or as the administration hired to run the school district, is to create a safe and dynamic learning environment for the children of our community.
Nothing will alter or change that mission.
In the current situation, we have crimes and potential crimes against children that are commanding headlines.
We will continue to cooperate and work with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Lake County State’s Attorney, the investigative and legal prosecution government professionals that address investigations and criminal trials.
To that end, please understand and respect that in order for police and prosecutors to do their mission most effectively and to protect the community as a whole, we will not risk their investigation with rumor or unsubstantiated reporting.
We will follow all rules, guidelines and laws as it pertains to due process which must be afforded to all parties, regardless of the seriousness of the allegations.
Make no mistake that due process will not in any way ever allow further harm to occur to any child in, around, or associated with the Gavin School District 37 community.
We will continue to strive for excellence in the classroom while maintaining a safe environment for education.
www.gavin37.org/files/user/5/file/Statement%20to%20the%20Community%20-%20September%2024%202014%20(2)(2).pdf

 

Daily Herald
9/25/2014 3:36 PM
Gavin District 37: 3 teachers didn't report 'inappropriate conduct'
By Mick Zawislak
The investigation into an instructor authorities say molested a student at Gavin Elementary District 37 has grown to include new questions about whether other teachers had reason to report concerns but failed to do so.
www.dailyherald.com/article/20140924/news/140929126

 

Facebook
Find and Prosecute Michael Vucic Community
About: Michael R. Vucic, 41, wanted on five counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and five counts of criminal sexual assault. He has fled the country.
September 16, 2014: Vucic is now in prison in Sarajevo.
www.facebook.com/oppedohunt

 

Daily Herald
September 30, 2014, 1:16 PM
Editorial: School case a wake-up call on reporting sex-abuse suspicions
The Daily Herald Editorial Board
People entrust their children to teachers every day and expect more than lessons in math and English.
They expect -- no, they demand -- that teachers watch over children and protect them as if they were their own.
Sadly, that responsibility may have been ignored in Ingleside-based Gavin Elementary District 37.
There, officials recently told parents three teachers may have had reason for concern about "alleged inappropriate conduct" between colleague Michael R. Vucic and a minor, but did nothing about it.
www.dailyherald.com/article/20140930/discuss/140939899

 

Daily Herald
10/14/2014 9:56 PM
3 Gavin teachers to be fired over molestation charge.
By Russell Lissau
Michael Vucic will be suspended without pay until a formal dismissal hearing is held, officials said.
John Keehan and April Courtney also will be suspended without pay, pending dismissal hearings.
www.dailyherald.com/article/20141014/news/141019019

 

3 Gavin teachers to be fired over molestation charges

The Gavin School District 37 board Tuesday moved to fire a Gavin Middle School South teacher who has been charged with molesting a student. Michael Vucic will be suspended without pay until a formal dismissal hearing is held, officials said.

The board also moved to fire two other teachers who authorities have said did not report suspicions of the abuse. John Keehan and April Courtney also will be suspended without pay, pending dismissal hearings ... Two additional teachers were placed on administrative leave and a third resigned after the criminal investigation. School officials said those three teachers failed to report accusations of inappropriate conduct involving Vucic and a child.​

Continue reading...

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20141014/news/141019019/

 

Family Taxpayers Foundation
2012
Name: Keehan, John
Salary: $51,672
Position: Junior High/Middle Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: General Science
Years Teaching: 12
Degree: Master's
School Name: Gavin South Jr High School
District Name: Gavin SD 37

Family Taxpayers Foundation
2012
Name: Courtney, April
Salary: $40,895
Position: Junior High/Middle Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Basic and/or General Math
Years Teaching: 8
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: Gavin South Jr High School
District Name: Gavin SD 37
www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)
Public Search
www.isbe.state.il.us/ELIS
John G. Keehan
License ID 1945676 has a status code of issued and is thus active.

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)
Public Search
www.isbe.state.il.us/ELIS
April M. Courtney
License ID 497601 has a status code of issued and is thus active.

 

Chicago Tribune
3 Ingleside teachers charged with failing to report suspected abuse by fellow teacher
November 14, 2014
Three middle school teachers in north suburban Ingleside have been charged with failure to report suspected child abuse by another teacher, prosecutors said Friday.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-3-ingleside-teachers-charged-with-failing-to-report-suspected-abuse-by-fellow-teacher-20141114-story.html

Daily Herald
11/13/2014 10:38 PM
Teachers charged with failing to report suspected sex abuse.
Three Lake County teachers are facing misdemeanor charges alleging they failed to report a Gavin School District 37 instructor accused of molesting a student.
Arrest warrants were issued Thursday for John Keehan, 40, of Elgin; April Courtney, 34, of Wauconda; and Michael Lanners, 38, of Lake Villa.
www.dailyherald.com/article/20141113/news/141119091

Family Taxpayers Foundation
2012
Name: Lanners, Michael
Salary: $49,482
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 11
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: Washington Elem School
District Name: Mundelein ESD 75

2011
Name: Lanners, Michael
Salary: $47,049
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 10
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: Washington Elem School
District Name: Mundelein ESD 75

2010
Name: Lanners, Michael
Salary: $46,226
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 9
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: Washington Elem School
District Name: Mundelein ESD 75

2009
Name: Lanners, Michael
Salary: $45,527
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 8
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: Washington Elem School
District Name: Mundelein ESD 75

2008
Name: Lanners, Michael D
Salary: $44,648
Position: Elementary School Classroom Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 7.0
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: Lincoln Elem School
District Name: Mundelein ESD 75

2007
Name: Lanners Michael D
Salary: $37,406
Position: Elementary School Classroom Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 6
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: LINCOLN ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: MUNDELEIN ESD 75

2006
Name: Lanners Michael D
Salary: $39,844
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 5.0
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: WASHINGTON ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: MUNDELEIN ESD 75

2005
Name: Lanners Michael
Salary: $37,118
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 4.0
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: WASHINGTON ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: MUNDELEIN ELEM SCHOOL DIST

2004
Name: Lanners Michael
Salary: $30,820
Position: Elementary Teacher
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment: Physical Education
Years Teaching: 3.0
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: WASHINGTON ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: MUNDELEIN ELEM SCHOOL DIST

2003
Name: Lanners Michael
Salary: $28,420
Position:
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment:
Years Teaching: 2.0
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name: WASHINGTON ELEM SCHOOL
District Name: MUNDELEIN ELEM SCHOOL DIST

2002
Name: Lanners Michael D
Salary: $28,035
Position:
Full/Part Time: Fulltime
Percent Time Employed: 100%
Assignment:
Years Teaching: 1
Degree: Baccalaureate
School Name:
District Name: Gavin School Dist 37
www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php

Lake County
Clerk of the Circuit Court Public Access System
Michael Vucic
https://circuitclerk.lakecountyil.gov/publicAccess

Lake County
Clerk of the Circuit Court Public Access System
April M. Courtney
https://circuitclerk.lakecountyil.gov/publicAccess

Lake County
Clerk of the Circuit Court Public Access System
John G Keehan
https://circuitclerk.lakecountyil.gov/publicAccess

Lake County
Clerk of the Circuit Court Public Access System
Michael D Lanners
https://circuitclerk.lakecountyil.gov/publicAccess

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)
Public Search
www.isbe.state.il.us/ELIS
Michael D Lanners
Professional Educator Licensure (PEL) ID 1863968 has a status code of issued and is thus active.

 

BND – Belleville News Democrat
Lake County teachers charged in sex abuse case
The Associated Press
November 14, 2014
INGLESIDE, Ill. —
Authorities have charged two Lake County teachers with misdemeanor counts of failing to report a teacher now charged with molesting a student.
The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reported Friday (http://bit.ly/1Bs0Bj9) that 34-year-old April Courtney of Wauconda and 38-year-old Michael Lanners of Lake Villa were released from Lake County jail after they each posted $5,000 bond.
A warrant has been issued for a third teacher who has not been located.
The teachers are accused of withholding their suspicions that Gavin Middle School teacher Michael Vucic was sexually abusing a student.
Vucic is in custody in Bosnia-Herzegovina after being arrested in September. He is fighting extradition to the United States.
A call to Lanners was not immediately returned and Courtney does not have a listed phone number.
www.bnd.com/2014/11/14/3511618_lake-county-teachers-charged-in.html?rh=1

Lake County IL State's Attorney's Office Michael G. Nerheim
November 14, 2014 at 6:09am ·
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cynthia Vargas
Phone: (847) 377-3188
Lake County State's Attorney's Office
CHARGES FILED AGAINST THREE TEACHERS FOR FAILURE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE
(Lake County, I.L. November 14, 2014)
Lake County State's Attorney Michael G. Nerhiem, Lake County Sheriff Mark C. Curran, Jr. and Undersheriff Raymond Rose announced that three teachers have been have been charged due to failure to report suspected child abuse, which is Class A Misdemeanor.
The Class A Misdemeanor is the highest charge possible in this case.
The charges against the teachers were issued in relation to the case of Michael Vucic.
Michael Vucic is currently charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Assault, and Sexual Assault.
There is an active $1 million warrant for his arrest.
The individuals- April Courtney, 34 and of the 2600th block of Thistle Lane in Wauconda, IL, Michael Lanners, 38, and of the 37000th block of North Fairfield Ln. in Lake Villa, I.L. and John Keehan, 40 and of the 600th block of South St. in Elgin, I.L., at one point, were all teachers at Gavin South Middle School located in Ingleside, IL.
It is alleged that the three teachers knowingly and willfully failed to report the abuse allegedly committed by fellow teacher Michael Vucic.
As educators, they are mandated to report any suspicions of abuse or knowledge of abuse that is suspected to occur against any minor.
On Thursday, November 13, 2014 April Courtney and Michael Lanners have surrendered as a result of the warrants issued yesterday.
John Keehan remains at large.
Anyone with information should contact the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 847-377-4000 or the Children's Advocacy Center at 847-377-3155.
A fourth individual- was also interviewed by authorities for possible charges.
There was insufficient evidence to support a charge at this time.
https://www.facebook.com/lakecountyilsao/posts/788115957912932

Chicago Tribune
In child abuse cases, who are 'mandated reporters' under Illinois law?
November 15, 2014, 6:30AM
By Lisa Black and Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune
Prosecutors draw on a rarely enforced law to charge 3 teachers with failing to report suspected child abuse.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-child-sex-abuse-teacher-reporting-met-20141114-story.html

WGN TV
Ingleside teachers charged for failure to report child abuse
November 15, 2014, Posted 8:06 AM
by Angelica Robinson
[Article includes a video]
Three Northwest Suburban teachers are charged with failing to report suspected child abuse at the hands of a colleague.
http://wgntv.com/2014/11/15/ingleside-teachers-charged-for-failure-to-report-child-abuse

Chicago Tribune
3rd Ingleside teacher surrenders after being charged with failure to report abuse
November 17, 2014, 8:20PM
By Chicago Tribune staff
Teacher John Keehan surrendered Sunday and posted $5,000 bail.
He is charged with failing to report abuse.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-3rd-ingleside-teacher-charged-with-failing-to-report-abuse-surrenders-20141117-story.html?track=rss

Daily Herald
Former Gavin teacher turns himself in
11/17/2014 9:40 PM
Sara HookerThe third teacher charged with failure to report suspected child abuse in the Gavin South Middle School molestation case turned himself in Sunday, officials said Monday.
www.dailyherald.com/article/20141117/news/141118481

 

BND (Belleville News Democrat)
Teacher surrenders in middle school sex abuse case
The Associated Press
November 18, 2014
WAUKEGAN, Ill. —
Lake County prosecutors say the last of three teachers accused of failing to report a teacher now charged with molesting a student has turned himself in.
www.bnd.com/2014/11/18/3517228/teacher-surrenders-in-middle-school.html

 

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)
Michael R Vucic
Professional Educator License (PEL) ID 2043522 is revoked.
www.isbe.net/ELIS > Public Search >

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Illinois State Police
Sex Offender Registry
Michael R Vucic is a Sexual Predator in the Illinois State Department of Corrections
Convicted in Lake County
www.isp.state.il.us/sor

_______________________________

Illinois Department of Corrections
Offender Search > Inmate Search
Michael R Vucic is listed as an offender in custody.

www.illinois.gov/idoc/Offender/Pages/InmateSearch.aspx
www.illinois.gov/IDOC/OFFENDER

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State Journal Register
by Associated Press
Ex-middle school teacher gets 50 years for sexual abuse
Nov. 6, 2015 at 6:53 AM
Waukegan —
A former middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting two students in his northern Illinois classroom has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Forty-two-year-old Michael Vucic of Lake Forest, who taught at Gavin South Middle School in Ingleside, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty in September to predatory criminal sexual assault.
www.sj-r.com/article/20151106/NEWS/151109735

 

Thanks for the updates!