Arlington Heights School District 25 has found itself at the center of legal controversy as nine lawsuits have been filed by families against it, following a scandal involving a former school nurse's mismanagement of students’ prescription drugs. Tori Eitz, a 48-year-old ex-registered nurse, was terminated last May after an internal investigation by the school district revealed irregular handling of medications at Westgate Elementary School. Eitz's actions have led to charges including official misconduct, forgery, and endangering the life or health of a child. Her next court date is scheduled for May 5. In a statement obtained by FOX 32 Chicago, it was reported that school documents were altered and prescription medications were substituted with over-the-counter drugs.
Attorneys representing the suing families, from the law firm Romanucci & Blandin, have accused the Arlington Heights School District 25 of negligence, claiming district officials were aware of the issues but failed to act promptly. "Arlington Heights School District 25 utterly failed to support medically vulnerable children," Michael Holden, partner at Romanucci & Blandin, told WGN TV.
The lawsuits seek at least $50,000 each in damages. Additional details provided by the FOX 32 Chicago coverage revealed that Eitz is accused of fabricating several excuses for why additional medication was needed, which included stories about pills being lost or miscounted.
Investigations into these allegations were initiated by the Arlington Heights Police Department in April 2024, with detectives interviewing staff, parents, and witnesses. According to an interview Michael Holden gave to WGN TV, the impact of Eitz's actions on the children was profound, not only affecting their learning environments but also their home lives.
In response to this debacle, Arlington Heights School District 25 has enacted tighter controls on medication management, including limiting the school to maintaining no more than a 30-day supply of any student's medication. Superintendent Dr. Brian A. Kaye and School Board President Greg Scapillato issued a statement expressing regret for the distress caused to families and the school community. They emphasized that new protocols with defined roles, stricter counting, and regular verifications by multiple staff members are now in place. As the legal proceedings continue, the district has committed to transparency and the ongoing safety of their students, detailing their comprehensive review and consultation process with parents and medical professionals, according to statements published by FOX 32 Chicago.
