Bartlett High School Principal Mike Demovsky has been placed on administrative leave as an investigation into some of his “administrative practices” is conducted, School District Superintendent Suzanne Johnson said.
In a statement issued Monday, Johnson said the situation does not involve “the safety of any past or current students or staff” and the district is cooperating with the “investigating parties.”
District spokeswoman Karla Jiménez said they’re unable to say more at this time.
“We understand there is speculation, but due to this being a personnel matter, we cannot share further information at this point,” she said. “Please know that we will keep our community informed as we learn more and are able to share information.”
Demovsky has been at the helm of the high school since 2016. Prior to that, he was prinicipal at Kenyon Woods Middle School in South Elgin for four years and assistant principal at Streamwood High School for two years. He taught at Bartlett High School from 1998 to 2006.
In 2017 Demovsky was a top 10 finalist for the Golden Apple Foundation’s Stanley C. Golder Achievement Leadership Award.
At Monday night’s U-46 School Board meeting, a parent and a student spoke on Demovsky’s behalf.
“I’m not going to ask the reasons why you did what you did. It’s not really my business. But I want to speak about what we’re losing,” parent Brock Friedman said.
Demovsky led the school through the pandemic, Friedman said, and has created an environment at the school that echoes the district’s mission statement and values. In these divisive times, the school has a principal who makes students and parents feel like they are human beings, he said.
“This is a man who if you have a question, he’ll find an answer for you,” Friedman said. “My kids tell me, if you have a problem, you go (to his office) and talk to him.”
The district would be making a mistake if it let Demovsky go, he said, and asked that Demovsky at least be allowed to hand out diplomas to students at graduation in May.
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“(The students) want Demovsky, and they feel very strongly about that,” Friedman said.
Emily Guadarrama, a STEM student and member of the principal’s student advisory board, called Demovsky’s removal Friday “appalling” and described him as one of best principals the school has ever had.
“His dedication to Bartlett High School is undeniable and irreplaceable,” she said. “I have never met someone as enthusiastic to be at school at 7 a.m. everyday.”
Guadarrama said his patience and delicacy in doing his job cannot be replaced. While noting she doesn’t know all the details of the investigation, she asked the board to find a different resolution so that Demovsky is not permanently removed from the school.
Johnson announced in her statement that Melanie Meidel, a retired U-46 high school principal and assistant superintendent, will serve as interim principal for the remainder of the school year.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that Bartlett High School operations and educational programs continue seamlessly during this period,” Johnson said.
“Ms. Meidel brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our school community, which will be invaluable during this transition. We are confident in Ms. Meidel’s leadership and the strength of our Bartlett High School staff to continue providing the best learning environment for our students.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.