Two staff members with the Carterville Unit School District #5 have been placed on administrative leave following reports of possible inappropriate conduct, according to district officials.
In a statement, Superintendent Sarah Barnstable said the district received two separate reports involving staff members. A third-party investigator has been hired to review the allegations. Officials emphasized that no determination of wrongdoing has been made at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing.
While the review continues, the employees involved are not permitted on school grounds and are prohibited from having contact with students. District officials said they are cooperating fully and will follow appropriate procedures as the investigation progresses.
This newest incident comes as grand jury recently indicted a former Carterville faculty member on multiple counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving minors.
John “Jake” Wakey, a former Carterville High School teacher and football coach, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to nine counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving minors during a hearing in Williamson County Court. The charges stem from alleged incidents connected to the Carterville football program between 2013 and 2015.
His next pretrial hearing is scheduled for June 24 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom in Williamson County Circuit Court.