Theft Charge Dropped Against Former BHS Fine Arts Chairperson

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed Class 3 felony theft charge against the former chairperson of the Barrington High School’s Fine Arts Department, District 220 informed parents on its website.

Julie Salk was charged in November in the disappearance of about $5,000 in funds from the high school and the high school’s Fine Arts Booster Club, which is led by parents, the district said.

Salk will be required to provide full restitution, the district said.

“The judgment to dismiss this case appropriately belongs to the State's Attorney's Office and not to the school district,” reads a letter from Dr. Tom Leonard. “We respect the expertise and the role properly entrusted to the State's Attorney's office in these decisions. The school district also acknowledges the hard work and support of the Barrington Police Department during this matter.”

Although the State’s Attorney’s Office has dismissed all charges in this case, the ruling does not preclude Barrington 220 from considering all its legal options, Leonard said. It is important to note that no other staff or parent volunteers are suspected of any wrongdoing or are presently under investigation.

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