Beecher music teacher allegedly set up hidden cameras at school

A music instructor in Beecher was arrested after allegedly violating his ban from a school district where staff discovered he set up hidden video cameras.

On Nov. 15, James Vidmar, music instructor for Beecher Unit School District 200U, was suspended after district personnel allegedly discovered hidden cameras in small rooms and officers around the perimeter of the high school music room, according to a letter written by district superintendent Bradley Cox on Tuesday.

Vidmar also was banned from the district but allegedly violated the ban and was charged with trespassing, Cox wrote in the letter. Will County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said Beecher police arrested Vidmar.

Attempts to reach Beecher Police Chief Greg Smith were unsuccessful.

“No school personnel has direct knowledge of what is specifically on these cameras, as it is an ongoing police matter,” Cox wrote. “If and when we learn the contents of any recordings, all affected persons will be notified.”

The Beecher Unit District 200U school board voted to place Vidmar on unpaid suspension.

Cox said in an email that Vidmar taught music at the district for 14 years.

According to Vidmar’s district webpage, he served as a high school and junior high school music teacher and assistant band director. He received a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from Benedictine University and a master’s degree in music education from VanderCook College of Music.

He is a member of the National Association for Music Educators and Illinois Music Educators Association.