Arlington Heights school nurse fired amid probe into misuse of student prescriptions

BJ Lutz
·2 min read
2

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — Schools officials in this suburb northwest of Chicago on Wednesday evening terminated a school nurse amid an investigation that publicly began last month into the alleged “misuse” of student prescriptions.

However, a law firm investigating the matter said they have evidence of concerns about missing medication dating back to 2022.

District 25 officials placed the Westgate Elementary School nurse on administrative leave last month as school officials and police investigated. The parents of one student said they consulted an attorney after their child’s blood work showed signs of fentanyl after visiting the nurse.

WGN is not naming the nurse because they have not been charged with a crime.

In a letter to parents, Supt. Lori Bein said the school would have two nurses stationed at Westgate through the end of the year. The last day of school is May 31, according to a district calendar.

“In addition, District 25 Administration continues to work with the Illinois State Board of Education to review our policies and protocols to ensure the oversight and integrity of medication maintenance and dispensing at all District 25 schools is appropriate,” Bein’s letter said.

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Attorneys with the firm Romanucci and Blandin, who had launched a civil probe into the matter, said the nurse’s firing was an “incomplete response” but “far overdue.” A statement from the firm said “reckless actions” by district officials “disregarded the health and well-being of multiple children.”

“The District 25 damage control efforts to distance themselves …. are simply smoke and mirrors in an effort to avoid municipal responsibility,” said managing partner Gina DeBoni. “Leaders were very aware of concerns as far back as 2022. One official stated that concerns had been documented in the past regarding the administration of medication as well as missing medication, and apologized stating that they were sorry to have broken the trust the parents have given to care for their children.”

DiBoni said the district should go further and place additional school leaders on leave, launch a third-party investigation and release a “clear set of improved policies and procedures to safeguard children.”

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