Arlington Heights school nurse fired after concerns over potential misuse of prescription medication
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Concerns over the potential misuse of prescription medication at Westgate Elementary School in Arlington Heights have sparked an investigation.
On Monday night, concerns were brought to the attention of an administrator of Arlington Heights School District 25 regarding a licensed registered nurse at Westgate Elementary allegedly mishandling prescription medication designated for specific student use.
In response, the school district promptly reported the incident to both the Arlington Heights Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The staff member has since been fired.
The situation attracted legal attention, with an Arlington Heights family hiring the services of Romanucci & Blandin. Their concerns stemmed from evidence suggesting that their child may have suffered health issues due to receiving the wrong medication. Medical analysis allegedly revealed signs of excessive aspirin intake and traces of fentanyl in the child’s blood.
Romanucci & Blandin initiated a civil investigation into the matter and urged parents whose children received medication at Westgate Elementary to seek immediate medical advice, including tests for fentanyl exposure, comprehensive blood work and heart function assessments.
If you have information related to this incident, you are asked to contact Arlington Heights Police Commander Peter Milutinovic at (847) 368-5420.
Romanucci & Blandin released the following statement on May 8:
"The Arlington Heights District 25 decision to terminate Westgate Elementary School Nurse … is more than appropriate but far overdue. The reckless actions by District 25 disregarded the health and well-being of multiple children and put the children at risk. In our representation of multiple families in this situation we learned that administration officials received reports of missing medication prior to April 22, 2024, and behaved recklessly in their roles. The decision by the Board of District 25 to terminate Nurse Eitz is an incomplete response, which should also include the placement of the appropriate leaders or individuals on administrative leave, a swift and complete independent, third-party investigation and a robust and clear set of improved policies and procedures to safeguard children and ensure the safe administration of medication at school.
The District 25 damage control efforts to distance themselves from the actions of Tory Eitz are simply smoke and mirrors in an effort to avoid municipal responsibility. However, as our civil investigation proceeds, we acquired evidence that District 25 leaders were very aware of concerns as far back as 2022. One official stated that concerns had been documented in the past regarding the administration of medication as well as missing medication, and apologized stating that they were sorry to have broken the trust the parents have given to care for their children.
Additionally, we demand District 25's full compliance with our Freedom of Information request this week, which asked them to disclose information regarding their policies and procedures related to the storage and administration of student medication. The District's recent claims that they value transparency seem rather disingenuous," said Gina DeBoni, Managing Partner Romanucci & Blandin.
The superintendent of the affected school district also sent a letter to parents:
"At a Special Board Meeting held tonight at the District 25 Dunton Administration Center, the District 25 Board of Education terminated the employment of the licensed registered nurse referenced in that letter.
As previously communicated to the Westgate community by Principal Dr. Buch, there will be two nurses stationed in the Westgate Health Office for the remainder of the year. In addition, District 25 Administration continues to work with the Illinois State Board of Education to review our policies and protocols to ensure the oversight and integrity of medication maintenance and dispensing at all District 25 schools is appropriate."