Board adopts investigator’s findings, says member Ding violated conduct policy and approves report release

The Barrington CUSD 220 Board of Education on a unanimous vote adopted an outside investigator’s findings that board member Miss Ding violated board policy related to the appearance of impropriety and the use of social media and approved public release of the investigation report.

Board attorney Eris Dalianis presented the investigator’s written report under the board’s uniform grievance procedure and read the board’s proposed written decision. The board accepted the investigator’s conclusions that Ding should have recused herself from at least one vote where her participation created the appearance of impropriety and that certain social‑media content tied to her campaign remained active on her website.

The board’s action said there was not sufficient evidence to conclude Ding violated board policy or law based solely on campaign contributions from labor or education groups, including those affiliated with the Barrington Education Association. Still, the board directed Ding to remove references to district achievements from her campaign website, to consider recusing herself from deliberations and votes involving the district’s bargaining units, and to reimburse the district for the cost of investigating and adjudicating the second complaint. In lieu of reimbursement, the board requested a letter of apology and that Ding obtain association‑approved ethics counseling at her own expense.

A staff member identified as Eric confirmed to the board that under the Illinois School Code only the Lake County Regional Superintendent (not the board) has authority to remove an elected member.

During public comment before the vote, a resident who identified herself as Angela urged stronger action and asked the board to quantify taxpayer costs for outside counsel used in past responses to the member’s conduct. Angela told the board: “You took a duty to this community and you were forced to have to spend it doing something completely outside of what your duty is.”

The motion to adopt the written decision on the complaint passed in a roll call with affirmative votes from board members Steve Wang, Sandra Bradford, Harath Shrevasta, Diana Clapton and Leah Kister Lazari. The board then voted to waive confidentiality and approve public release of the June 10, 2026 investigation report by the same vote.

The board indicated no further action on removal authority; the matter of removal remains with the Lake County Regional Superintendent. The board did not announce a timeline for any reimbursement or for when the report would be posted publicly.