Former schools chief won't face criminal charges
DANVILLE — The former Georgetown-Ridge Farm schools chief who resigned earlier this summer after using school district equipment and an employee for his personal use will not face criminal charges.
Vermilion County State's Attorney Randy Brinegar announced Friday that he would not pursue charges against Greg Irwin after reviewing the case.
The prosecutor was not available for further comment later that afternoon.
Irwin took over as the district's superintendent in 2009. The Georgetown-Ridge Farm school board placed him on paid administrative leave on May 22.
The board was set to hold a dismissal hearing for Irwin on June 30, when he submitted a resignation agreement, which the board accepted.
According to documents provided by school district attorneys under the Freedom of Information Act, Irwin sent a memo to the board on May 24, offering to apologize publicly for using the district mower/tractor, district gasoline and an employee for his personal use.
As part of his resignation agreement, Irwin agreed to reimburse the district $2,079 for the use of the equipment, labor costs, fuel and mileage.
Brinegar's office had been investigating the matter for a couple of months.
Following Irwin's resignation, the school board sent Brinegar a letter asking him to stop the criminal investigation. The board's attorney — W. Anthony Andrews of Ottosen, Britz, Kelly Cooper, Gilbert & DiNolfo Ltd. Of Naperville — said board members believed spending any more time or resources on the matter wasn't in the district's best interest.
When Irwin was put on leave, then-Assistant Superintendent Andy Weathers stepped in as interim superintendent. After Weathers retired on June 30, the board tapped retired Georgetown-Ridge Farm schools Superintendent Kevin Tate — Irwin's predecessor — to fill in until it hires a permanent replacement.
MoreI applaud GRF for booting Irwin, theft is theft and if anyone does not hold the people we trust accountable for their thefts then a double standard is in play. That is wrong, how could you continue to trust someone favoring themselves or others over another. Not fair, not equal, above the law looking down on their minions attitude. Good work GRF, great example for others though his felony theft should be prosecuted, the same would apply to anyone else. Irwin gets another shot at theft when hired else where, was his choice to ruin his integrity and credibility, no one else and it should follow him like any no good so called professional double standard thief.
It's unfortunate that someone who taught in the district for years and came back to administrate set such a bad example. If you followed his tenure, you'd see that this wasn't his only example of bad character.
Isn't this the administrator that told a group of parents in a school board meeting that the parents and students athletes should focus on studies and not athletics to become productive citizens of society? But yet, he denies any wrongdoing or theft, although he apologizes for it and it's published through news media that he is paying the district back. I guess he thought he was above the school board and the law
His demonstration of poor leadership is a reflection throughout the district. GRF School Board members acted quickly and swiftly and with dignity to deal with the personnel issue regarding Irwin. And if you ask me, it seems like there are a few other administrators in that district that should be under the microscope.
Being a school board member is often a thankless job. That community and school district should be commending the individuals who were elected to make such tough decisions.
It's unfortunate that someone who taught in the district for years and came back to administrate set such a bad example. If you followed his tenure, you'd see that this wasn't his only example of bad character.
Isn't this the administrator that told a group of parents in a school board meeting that the parents and students athletes should focus on studies and not athletics to become productive citizens of society? But yet, he denies any wrongdoing or theft, although he apologizes for it and it's published through news media that he is paying the district back. I guess he thought he was above the school board and the law
His demonstration of poor leadership is a reflection throughout the district. GRF School Board members acted quickly and swiftly and with dignity to deal with the personnel issue regarding Irwin. And if you ask me, it seems like there are a few other administrators in that district that should be under the microscope.
Being a school board member is often a thankless job. That community and school district should be commending the individuals who were elected to make such tough decisions.
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