Three Coaches Resign from Grayslake North

Three Grayslake North High School coaches have resigned, as had been rumored, and those resignations were accepted by the school board on March 10.

District 127 issued a press release today, Thursday, March 24, confirming that it had accepted the resignations of Tom Frye, effective immediately; and John Glorioso and Erik Jensen, effective at the end of the school year.

The resignations were approved during a school board meeting under "personnel action" without naming the coaches. Many parents and students pressed the board to find out who they were talking about and what had happened.

After repeated requests from the media, District 127 officials released the names of those who resigned in addition to the following statement: "While information on Board action is scheduled to be released in early April via minutes approved by the Board of Education and posted on the District’s website, the District is releasing this information today to satisfy on- going media inquiries."

It went on to say that "District policy prohibits comment on confidential personnel matters and no further comment will be made on this issue. The Board of Education and the District Administration assure the Grayslake community that the District follows applicable law and the Board’s policy in connection with all personnel matters. The Board of Education and the District Administration endeavor to provide a safe and harassment-free educational environment for all students and staff."

Superintendent Catherine Finger said that they would not provide any details on what led to the resignations.

During the March 10 school board meeting, school officials approved two separate votes on "personnel matters" but did not at that time specify what actions were taken or for which personnel. Parents and students at the meeting left with questions.

Richard Downes Sr., whose son Richard Downes Jr. wrestled at State for North, spoke in support of the coaches during the meeting. "We have heard all the rumors," he said. "But Tom Frye, as a coach, has done more the North's program than all of the coaches prior to him."

Questions still remain about exactly what happened during the state wrestling tournament to warrant three coaches resigning. Check Grayslake Patch tomorrow for more details.