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The City of Highland Park, North Shore School District 112 and Township High School District 113 are working together in response to troubling incidents of unlawful video recording of adults and juveniles in bathrooms at Edgewood Middle School and Highland Park High School. The Highland Park Police Department was immediately contacted after a staff member discovered a suspicious electronic device in a washroom at Highland Park High School. It was also determined that there was evidence of prior recording in a bathroom at Edgewood Middle School. A juvenile student has been identified as the suspect responsible for placing a recording device or mobile phone in bathrooms at both schools.
At this time, we are confident that the photo and video recording has stopped. A limited group of administrators representing both districts are working closely with Highland Park Police to identify and notify victims among students and staff who may have been affected with great sensitivity for the privacy of all victims. We are sharing this message with you because we want our community to be aware of what has happened and to know that these serious incidents are being thoroughly investigated and addressed.
We recognize that this situation is very concerning and will raise many questions. Due to the active investigation of this juvenile matter, we are limited in what we can share regarding its progress. However, we want to assure you that we are closely collaborating to facilitate law enforcement’s investigation and support all those impacted.
Supporting our school communities and ensuring students and staff feel safe at school is the top priority for both North Shore School District 112 and Township High School District 113. Specifically, our schools are taking the following steps to provide counseling and mental health resources and enhance safeguarding practices to support students, staff, and the broader school community, including:
- School building personnel have completed searches of bathrooms at all campus schools in Districts 112 and 113 to ensure there are no other recording devices.
- In accordance with federal and state law as well as Board policy, Districts 112 and 113 are conducting Title IX investigations into the matter. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational institution receiving federal funding. A Title IX investigation is a formal process conducted by a school, college, or university to determine whether a reported incident of sex-based discrimination, harassment, or misconduct violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Each Title IX investigation is separate from and has different requirements under the law than the criminal investigation. Those investigations are ongoing.
- Mental health resources are available on our websites:
- District 112’s mental health resource page
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HPHS Support Services; Drop In Center (available during the school day)
- DHS Support Services
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District 113 employee assistance
- Supports will be available to students and staff at both schools.
- We have implemented strategies to protect students’ right to learn and feel safe at school while the investigation continues.
- Our respective safety & facilities personnel are continuing to review building safety practices for opportunities to increase monitoring of sensitive spaces while respecting the privacy of students and staff.
As appropriate, follow-up communications with information specific to each school will be provided so that parents, students, and staff are aware of additional steps we are taking to address this very serious matter, and support all those who have been affected.
If you have specific concerns about your child in North Shore School District 112, please contact your building administrator or Dr. Holly Colin at hcolin@nssd112.org. If you have questions specific to a particular child in Township High School District 113, please contact Mirah Anti at manti@dist113.org.
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