The Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education voted to fire the nurse at the center of a case the district has called a misuse of prescription medications, with the board president calling the situation a “breach of trust” that is “distressing and concerning.”
The board voted 6-0 at a special meeting Wednesday night to fire registered nurse Tory Eitz, who had been the nurse at Westgate Elementary School for five years. Westgate is one of nine schools in District 25 and enrolls nearly 600 students in grades K to 5.
“The board and administration care deeply about the safety and well-being of our students, families and staff in our community. The action we took at today’s meeting is not something we take lightly. Our administration and legal team have provided the board with evidence of egregious conduct and a violation of school policies leading to today’s recommendation for termination of employment,” said board President Greg Scapillato .
Eitz had been on leave since the district announced April 22 that an investigation had begun into “the potential misuse of prescription medication intended for specific student use,” school officials previously stated in a news release.
She has not been charged with a crime.
Arlington Heights police previously confirmed that at least nine students were impacted by the nurse’s alleged actions. Police Chief Nicholas Pecora confirmed Wednesday night that his department’s investigation continues.
“It’s an active investigation that’s important to the Westgate community and the entire community, and we have the full cooperation of the school district,” Pecora told Pioneer Press. “It’s going to take a while to get through the
investigation. Detectives are at the school and talking to the inner circle.”
In addition to disciplinary action taken against Eitz, attorneys for several of the students involved called for Westgate Principal Ann Buch to also be placed on leave.
It was unclear Wednesday night if the principal has faced any action.
District officials said they continue to cooperate with authorities, including the police, Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
More than two dozen parents attended the special meeting Wednesday, many expressing shock and outrage over the incident and speaking openly with each other about what they consider the district’s lack of transparency, expressing concerns about the police investigation and questioning how the district will now protect students.
Some parents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting that followed the board vote.
“Words cannot even begin to describe the insurmountable pain and fear that our families have endured over the past two weeks,” said parent Autumn Jenks. “What should have been a safe space for our children has turned into a building draped in trauma and fear for our children, our families and all others within the Westgate community.
She joined a call for others at the school, including the principal, to also face disciplinary action.
“While the termination of Tory Eitz is one step in the right direction, we feel this single action is insufficient considering the magnitude of the situation,” said an emotional Jenks. “This isn’t just the deliberate decision of a rogue nurse, this is systemic recklessness and a toxic cultural issue within the Westgate Elementary that starts and stops with leadership.”
Attorneys from the Chicago-based personal injury law firm Romanucci and Blandin, who said they have retained by “multiple” Westgate families impacted by the incident, also spoke at the special board meeting.
“The Arlington Heights District 25 decision to terminate Westgate Elementary School nurse Tory Eitz is more than appropriate but far overdue,” said Gina DeBoni, managing partner at the law firm.
She said other school leaders should be placed on administrative leave, and there should be a complete and independent third-party investigation as well as a “clear set of improved policies and procedures to safeguard children and ensure the safe administration of medication at school” put in place.
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Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.