Grade tampering charge embroils Sequoit football coach

By Gregory Harutunian

correspondent

Antioch High School teacher Sara Glashagel has been charged with one count of computer tampering, a Class A misdemeanor, in an alleged grade-changing incident involving more than 40 students at the institution, and is slated for a Dec. 9 appearance in Lake County court.

At issue is that the students are members of the Sequoits football team, and her husband, Brian Glashagel, is the head coach.

Although an investigation by the Antioch Police Department and District 117 officials concluded that none of the students were ineligible for sports competition, a final police report is pending and further repercussions may ensue.

“Ms. Glashnagel is presently on administrative leave, and it was determined that she had gained access to the grades of the students’ daily work submitted to other teachers, which she was unauthorized to have,” said Mike Nekritz, the district’s co-superintendent. “There were no transcripts, or semester records, changed…it was picked up immediately, and reversed.

“At that point, new security protocols were initiated, there has been a review of the entry systems to preclude this occurring again,’ he said. “Mr. Glashnagel has not been placed on leave, and is still actively teaching.”

Antioch Police Chief Craig Somerville stated, “It appears that she acted alone, and the activity took place from her home in early September. We were notified by the district Sept. 28, and we proceeded to conduct our investigation into the irregularities.

“She came down and spoke with us, and contrary to other news media outlets, it was voluntary…there was no pursuit, or going to the campus and removing her from the building.”

The recent climate created by scandals involving inappropriate behavior at Lake Forest’s Deer Path Middle School, and at the colleges of Penn State and Marquette University, and the inaction by their respective trustee boards has fostered an impression of delayed recourse from District 117 officials. The arrest was made Nov. 19, more than one month after the alleged grade-changing.

At the time, the Sequoits’ varsity football team was undefeated, and vying for the Northwest Suburban Conference Prairie Division with a first place ranking. The team eventually finished in a three-way tie for the division crown and was eliminated in the opening round of the 2011 IHSA Class 6A state football championships by Grant. The Bulldogs accounted for the team’s only two losses in an 8-2 overall season record.

“That is not the case, in the least. Our department had to seek indictments and warrants from the Grand Jury, after the investigation began, to obtain the Internet provider addresses, and other data,” said Somerville. “There was an approximately 300-page text to review, in order to ascertain the information that resulted in the charge.

“It’s a shame that this has been sensationalized, with the recent controversies, but a message has to be sent, loud and clear, that people must be responsible…there is a factor of responsibility.”

Nekritz stated, “There was time involved for the Grand Jury directives, and for the criminal investigation to proceed. For our part, the changes were detected immediately and the necessary correction measures were taken quickly. The district’s website (www.d117.org) has a statement regarding the incident.

“We also quickly contacted the Illinois High School Association to inform them of the incident, and supply what information was needed.”

IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman, whose organization oversees athlete compliance for sports competition and is currently preparing for this weekend’s state football championship finals, has been apprised of Antioch’s dilemma.

“We are aware of the situation, and from what we understand of the information, no ineligible players participated in the games. The IHSA has a strict code of by-laws that govern academic eligibility on a weekly and semester basis, and from what we’ve been told, that has not been violated.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, and allow the Antioch Community High School District, and law enforcement authorities to continue with their investigation. Should there be new information that comes to light, we will address it at that time.”

Brain Glashagel did not respond to an email inquiry for comment, as of press time.

The Tom Tom, the school’s student run newspaper reported about the grade tampering in its Oct. 28 edition. At that time it was not known who was involved.

 

 


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