HIGHLAND | The Highland School Board has fired a high school teacher for an inappropriate relationship with a student, Superintendent Michael Boskovich said. Criminal charges against him are pending.
Boskovich said the School Town of Highland canceled the contract of teacher Samuel Fies, 33, of St. John, after it learned about the relationship. The board's action came at an early morning School Board meeting Wednesday.
Highland police Cmdr. George Georgeff said formal charges were filed against Fies with the Lake County prosecutor's office late Wednesday. The prosecutor's office has yet to sign off on the charges.
In a statement released to the press, Boskovich said:
"In mid-October of this year, it was first reported to the high school administration of alleged inappropriate conduct by a teacher, Mr. Sam Fies, with a female student. Due to the nature of these allegations, Mr. Fies was immediately placed on administrative leave while a full investigation was conducted by School Town of Highland administration. ... In addition, a report of the allegations was made to the Town of Highland Police Department.
"At the conclusion of the administration's investigation, Mr. Fies was provided all of the due process owed him. Following this process, the high school principal Dr. Patrick Weil, with the support of Superintendent Mr. Michael Boskovich, made a recommendation to the School Board of Trustees to cancel the teaching contract of Mr. Fies. ... The School Town of Highland Board of Trustees voted to confirm the recommendation of the principal to cancel the teaching contract of Mr. Fies immediately.
"The entire School Town of Highland community is saddened and disturbed by these events. We pride ourselves in putting our students first, and we will continue to work to build and maintain the trust of our community."
Please Wait…