Grayslake District 46 School Board Member Censured

Wednesday night’s school board meeting had just begun when the first bombshell was dropped.

“I would like to know why the district’s business manager David Tylavsky told me last week in private on school grounds that he had been fired and we were just told by Superintendent Correll that he was not here tonight  because he had chest pains,” said board candidate Kip Evans during the public comment portion.

Audible gasps from the audience turned into shock and anger. Board president Mary Garcia then announced that the board was immediately going into closed session with the district’s attorney, Kevin Gordon, to discuss personnel matters.

Fifteen minutes later the board returned, but did not provide any further insight as to Tylavsky's whereabouts.

Changes in the public comments policy were next up.

Garcia told attendees they could not present comments to the board that were not related to the meeting agenda, although there would be time allotted at the end of the meeting for those items. 

“How long has that rule been in place?  You had better make sure you are in compliance with the Open Meetings Act,” said Round Lake board trustee Sue Triphahn. Garcia responded that the ruling was established two weeks ago to ensure that meeting time was managed efficiently.

Bombshell number two was dropped as board member Michael Carbone was publicly censured by the board for his activities on February 22, 2011.

”Board member Carbone requested from district administration the number of teachers who were not at school on that day (Feb. 22)," Garcia said. "He was told that he would not be provided with that information until it had been reviewed by Superintendent Correll. Carbone said that he had been told that a large group of teachers were attending the Union rally in Madison and that he wanted to determine if that was true.”

“A cell phone call was then placed to our SubFinder administrator asking for Mr. Carbone’s password because he had misplaced it. School board members do not have access to confidential staff information, so the provider notified the district of the call. The phone was traced to a Marchell Norris,” said Garcia. 

Norris, a District 46 school board candidate, refuted the claim.

“I don’t even have a cell phone in my name. I use the pay-by-the-minute ones,” said Norris.

“I consider it a high honor to be a watchdog for the parents and children of this district. I will continue to fight for transparency in the district for the next two years,” said Carbone.  About half the audience quickly gave him a standing ovation and round of applause.

Despite all of the controversial items, one parent in attendance said she was still in support of the district.

“As a parent and teaching assistant in the district, I’m surprised by the amount of criticism of the board. I am very pleased with the programs and quality of education my children are receiving. I expect to pay for that with my taxes,” said meeting attendee Nadia Shams.

Stay tuned to Patch for more updates on the D46 meeting and other school issues.