Niles teacher resigns
Published 9:10 am Wednesday, April 23, 2014
An Oak Manor teacher who had been placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave in February has officially resigned from his position at Niles Community Schools.
The board of education on Monday unanimously accepted Adam Zmudzinski’s resignation and the terms of his separation agreement, which was not immediately available.
Board member Jon Martin was absent from Monday’s meeting.
A letter obtained by the Niles Daily Star via the Freedom of Information Act said that Zmudzinski was placed on administrative leave Feb. 13 while the district investigated allegations that he engaged in misconduct with other district employees, abused paid leave and drank alcohol on duty.
Another letter from the district to Zmudzinski — obtained by a FOIA request — accused Zmudzinski of attempting to intimidate or threaten a district employee in an attempt to influence that employee to make false statements regarding the district’s investigation.
“During the process of the investigation a settlement agreement was reached and Mr. Zmudzinski decided to resign,” said interim Supt. Michael Lindley, adding that he could not elaborate on the allegations. “To the best of my knowledge, the allegations never involved students in any way shape or form.”
The Niles Daily Star has requested a copy of the separation agreement through a FOIA.
Lindley said the agreement would likely be released Friday.