District 67 Teacher Retaliation Claims Raise Questions for Administration and Board
- Parents Care
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
In May, Parents Care first reported troubling allegations involving Mary Gould Moorhead, a respected District 67 special education teacher at Cherokee Elementary School.
Our original report, “Lake Forest Cherokee Educator Says She Was Forced to Resign”, raised concerns about whether Moorhead was pushed out after advocating for additional support for special education students and staff.
Now, reporting from the Chicago Tribune is bringing wider attention to the allegations and to broader questions surrounding District 67 teacher retaliation, administrative accountability, and School Board oversight.
District 67 Teacher Retaliation Allegations
Moorhead says that after raising concerns about the structure of the special education program and requesting additional support, she received nine “Needs Improvement” ratings during the 2025–26 school year.
According to the Tribune report, Moorhead said she had never previously received a negative evaluation. She also alleged irregularities in the evaluation process and said she was ultimately asked to resign.
These claims remain allegations, and District 67 has said it cannot comment on personnel matters or pending legal issues.
However, personnel confidentiality should not prevent the district from addressing legitimate public questions about its evaluation procedures, administrative practices, and treatment of employees who advocate for students.
Questions for Superintendent Montgomery and Phil Georgia
The allegations raise serious questions for Superintendent Matthew Montgomery and Human Resources Director Phil Georgia:
Were Moorhead’s evaluations fair, properly documented, and consistent with District 67 policy?
Why did her evaluation record change so dramatically after she began requesting additional support?
Were all required evaluation procedures followed?
What role did district leadership play in the meetings and circumstances surrounding her resignation?
What message does this situation send to other teachers who may need to raise concerns about students, staffing, or district practices?
Teachers are often the first people to recognize when students are not receiving adequate resources or support. A healthy school system must allow educators to raise those concerns honestly and professionally without fearing retaliation or damage to their careers.
Public Support for Moorhead
Moorhead has received significant public support from parents and former colleagues.
At a District 67 School Board meeting, one parent described her as “far above” the gold standard for teaching.
A former colleague praised Moorhead’s ability to make students, families, and coworkers feel that they belonged and mattered.
Those statements do not independently resolve the disputed allegations. They do, however, make the sharp change in Moorhead’s evaluation record and her eventual departure worthy of meaningful scrutiny.
District leadership should explain how its treatment of Moorhead squares with the accounts provided by the parents and educators who worked closely with her.
Where Is the District 67 School Board?
The District 67 School Board’s responsibility is not simply to accept assurances from the administration.
The Board is elected to provide independent oversight, ask difficult questions, protect the integrity of district procedures, and ensure that administrators are held accountable.
If a respected special education teacher says she was pushed out after advocating for students, the Board should not remain silent.
Board members should determine:
Whether district evaluation policies were followed
Whether Moorhead received a fair and properly documented process
Whether administrators responded appropriately to her concerns
Whether District 67 teachers can safely advocate for students without fearing retaliation
The Board should also consider whether an independent review is necessary. Administrators whose conduct is being questioned should not be the only people evaluating whether anything improper occurred.
Supporting Teachers Who Speak Up for Students
Parents Care supports students, parents, families, and taxpayers. We also want every District 67 educator to know that we will stand with teachers who advocate responsibly for children.
We are proud to support the dedicated teachers who serve Lake Forest and Lake Bluff students every day.
Teachers should be able to identify problems, request necessary support, question administrative decisions, and speak honestly about what is happening inside our schools without fearing retaliation or professional harm.
Parents Care is not declaring every allegation in this matter proven. We are saying that the claims are serious, the questions are legitimate, and the community deserves more than silence or carefully worded deflection.
Our teachers deserve respect, fairness, and confidence that when they speak up for children, the community—and its elected School Board—should not leave them standing alone.
Read the Reporting
Read Parents Care’s original May report:
Read the Chicago Tribune’s Pioneer Press report:
Parents Care encourages Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents to read both reports, follow the District 67 School Board’s response, and continue asking whether district teachers can safely advocate for their students.