Ex-School Board Member Who Broke Income Disclosure Law Appointed to His Own Vacancy in McHenry Grade School District 15

It may not be a big, important law, but Illinois does have a very weak income disclosure law.

All elected officials are required to file it annually.

Lots of notice is given.

District 15 School Board member Patrick Miller ignored those letters of reminder and missed the deadline.

Before he was removed from office, he resigned.

He, among four others applied for the vacancy.

Here’s an observation of what happened from someone on the scene:

Of four candidates who submitted their resumes and letters of intent to stand for appointment to the D15 School Board in McHenry, one Debra Hanlon emerged with impeccable credentials.

Two other community members,

  • Erik Sivertsen and
  • Deb Smith,

applied for the appointment, showing the drive and determination to step-up when the call went out.

Unfortunately, four board members felt compelled to appoint the same board member, Patrick Miller, who is alleged to have broken election law, ignored numerous requests for information from officials, and was ultimately forced by the State’s Attorney to resign or face prosecution.

Of the two remaining board members, one voted for Hanlon, the other abstained.

Breakdown as follows:

Paul Santopadre Miller
Mike Hetterman Miller
John O’Neil Hanlon
Kim Qualls Abstain
Ted Pillow Miller
Melanie Orendorf Miller

At the end of the day, it appears that it is politics as usual at McHenry’s D15.

Another source tells me that Miller did not show up for the meeting.


Comments

Ex-School Board Member Who Broke Income Disclosure Law Appointed to His Own Vacancy in McHenry Grade School District 15 — 10 Comments

  1. Let’s review this strange scenario.

    McHenry Elementary District 15 Board of Education member Patrick Miller did not respond to three letters from Illinois government requesting that he complete a State required Statement of Economic Interest form. As required by State law, Mr. Miller was then sent a non-compliance letter asking for his resignation. Mr. Miller complied and included in his resignation letter to the Board that he has no conflicts of interest and wanted to be considered as a candidate to fill the vacated position. The Board subsequently chose Mr. Miller over the other three candidates whom applied. Let’s review the events which were minimally disclosed by McHenry District 15.

    McHenry School District 15 is a Kindergarten thru 8th grade school district located in the northeast portion of McHenry County and includes the following schools: Chauncey H Duker School, Edgebrook Elementary, Hilltop Elementary, Landmark Elementary, McHenry Middle School, Parkland Middle
    School, Riverwood Elementary, and Valley View Elementary.

  2. March 10, 2011 – First notice sent to Patrick Miller to complete the Statement of Economic Interest.

    March 22, 2011 – Regular Board of Education Meeting.

    April 5th, 2011 – School Board Elections held. Each of the four candidates, incumbents John O’Neill and Patrick Miller, and newcomers Mike Hetterman and Paul Santopadre, were elected. Three Board members not up for re-election retained their seats.

    April 8, 2011 – Second notice sent to Patrick Miller to complete the Statement of Economic Interest.

    April 25, 2011 – Regular and Re-organizational Board of Education Meeting. Patrick Miller voted Board Secretary.

  3. May 3, 2011 – Final notice, certified, sent to Patrick Miller to complete the Statement of Economic Interest.

    May 10, 2011 – Instructional Board of Education Meeting.

    May 24, 2011 – Regular Board of Education Meeting.

    June 14, 2011 – Regular Board of Education Meeting.

  4. June 15, 2011 –
    The MCHENRY COUNTY OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS STATE’S ATTORNEY, sends a letter to Patrick Miller.

    “June 15, 2011
    Mr. Patrick Miller
    Board Member
    School District 15

    RE: Failure to File Statement of Economic Interest

    Dear Mr. Miller:

    Our office has been advised by the McHenry County Clerk that you are on the Board of School District 15. According to the Clerk’s records, you have failed to file a Statement of Economic Interest as required by 5 ILCS 420/4(a)-101. By failing to file a Statement of Economic Interest by May 31, 2011, you have forfeited your position (5 ILCS 420/4(a)-107). If you have not done so already, to avoid legal action, please forward your letter of resignation to both School District 15 and this office by June 30, 2011. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

    Yours Truly, Jamie M. Rein, Assistant State’s Attorney.

    JMR/ma.

    Cc: Katherine Schultz, McHenry County Clerk; School District 15.”

  5. June 17, 2011 –

    Board of Education member Patrick D. Miller writes a RESIGNATION LETTER dated June 17, 2011.

    “6/17/2011

    To: Board of Education Members

    RE: Resignation

    Due to an oversight on my part, I have failed to file my Statement of Economic Interest with the County Clerk. My financial interest with the district is “None” on all parts. Because of this oversight, I am forced to resign my position on the District 15 School Board. After discussing the matter with Ted Pillow, I would be honored if you would consider me as a candidate to fill the position when the board convenes to appoint someone to this position.

    Regards, Patrick D. Miller.”

    Not sure what date District 15 received the letter.

  6. June 20, 2011 –

    “Special” Board of Education meeting, 7:30 PM at the District 15 Central Office, 1011 N. Green Street, McHenry.

    To meet the minimum 48 hour public notification requirement of a “Special” meeting, typically a hard copy of a “special” meeting notice is posted on the front door of the District administration building, and an electronic copy is posted under “Board of Education” in the section “Agendas – BOD.”

    While abiding by the law obviously a preferred additional method is alerts both on the home page and via Twitter, text, or email to an opt-in list.

    Who has time to drive to the District administration building every day to see if a “special” meeting notice has been posted?

    Who wants a daily task of visiting http://www.d15.org and clicking on “Agendas – BOE” to determine if the District has posted a “special” meeting notice?

  7. June 21, 2011 –

    McHenryCountyBlog.com posts a District 15 PRESS RELEASE. Akin to the meeting notice, District 15 has not bothered to post an alert about the meeting on its http://www.d15.org home page and alerts are not sent to an opt-in list.

    The press release states,

    “Vacancy on District 15 School Board.

    McHENRY – Residents interested in serving on the McHenry Elementary District 15 school board have until July 7, 2011 to apply. Board member Patrick Miller resigned his position on June 20, 2011. Any resident of the school district who is 18 or older is eligible to fill the vacancy. The appointee will serve until the remainder of the term which ends in April, 2013.

    Superintendent Alan Hoffman said those interested should send a cover letter and résumé to him, in care of Cindee Nootbaar, at McHenry Elementary District 15, 1011 N. Green St., McHenry, IL, 60050.

    Or, interested candidates can send the information by e-mail to cnootbaar@d15.org.”

    Compare the press release to Mr. Miller’s resignation letter.

  8. July 12, 2011 – Regular Board of Education meeting, 7:30PM at 1011 N. Green Street, McHenry.

    August 2, 2011 – “Special” Board of Education meeting, 7PM at 1011 N. Green Street, McHenry. Once again no notice on the home page and no alerts broadcast. The notice states, “Closed Session to consider the appointment of a member to fill a vacancy” and “Reconvene to Open Session to appoint a member to fill a vacancy.” Rather vague. Debra Hanlon, Erik Sivertsen, Deb Smith, and Patrick Miller applied for the open Board seat. Patrick Miller was chosen.

    Voting record:
    Paul Santopadre, Mike Hetterman, Ted Pillow, and Melanie Orendorf voted for Miller.
    John O’Neil voted for Hanlon. John originally ran as an outsider.
    Kim Qualls abstained

    August 3, 2011 – A look at http://www.d15.org today reveals Board Minutes have not yet been posted for August 2, July 12, June 20, and June 17. No press releases are available on the District 15 website. The events of Board member Patrick Miller failing to complete a Statement of Economic Interest, resigning, applying, then getting re-appointed to the position from which he resigned, was minimally disclosed by District 15.

  9. I think this is an outrage!!!! Is it legal???? This man was told by the States Attorney that he had to resign. If he doesn’t fulfill a simple requirement how can we expect him to represent the best interests of our children and our schools. Financial responsibility. Once again the school district is thumbing their nose at the public and our legal system.

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