Newly hired HR director resigns

The executive director of human resources for School District 308, Anthony Grazzini, voluntarily resigned from the position June 5 less than a month before he was set to start work with the district.

The Board of Education approved Grazzini’s hiring during a meeting May 14.

He was to replace outgoing director Roxana Sanders, who has accepted a position as human resources director for Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200.

Grazzini’s base salary with SD308 had been set at $120,000.

Grazzini submitted his resignation after district officials became aware of a disciplinary matter Grazzini faced over a social media post while employed at Cicero School District 99.

According to SD308 Director of Communications and Public Relations Theresa Komitas, once district officials learned of the matter, they called Grazzini in and brought it to his attention. Upon being questioned, he voluntarily resigned.

Komitas said district officials did not previously discover the disciplinary matter as information about it had been placed in Grazzini’s personnel file at Cicero SD99.

She said the district does not examine personnel files from previous employers when looking at potential hires.

SD308’s vetting process for incoming employees includes speaking with references, interviewing candidates, and extensive online and social media searches. The matter was not mentioned by Grazzini during his interviews with SD308 officials.

Komitas confirmed the search to replace Sanders had been “relaunched” and declined further comment.

Grazzini’s term of employment was set to begin on July 1, 2018. As a result, he was not an employee of the district at the time of his resignation.

The SD308 Board of Education will meet at 7:15 p.m. Monday, June 11, in the Community Room at Oswego East High School.