Law firm completes probe of workplace harassment allegations against Geneva D-304 facilities boss

GENEVA – A Batavia law firm hired to probe workplace harassment allegations against Geneva School District 304 Facilities Operations Director Scott Ney presented its findings at a closed meeting in September.

District 304 spokeswoman Laura Sprague stated in an email the the law firm “completed the report, and it has been shared with the Board of Education in executive session.”

The board hired the Drendel & Jansons Law Group in May to probe the allegations as detailed in a story published by the Kane County Chronicle in April.

It is not clear what action – if any – the board took, as Ney is still listed as the facilities director on the district website.

Board President Taylor Egan confirmed in a text that the board received the completed review from the law firm.

“I cannot comment as it is a personnel issue,” Taylor stated in the text message.

Several former employees alleged that Ney created a “negative work environment leading to significant turnover at the District,” according to the legal services agreement with the law firm.

One of them, Tom Kenney, who had worked as a dayshift custodian and warehouse manager under Director of Operations Scott Ney, retired Aug. 11, 2020 because of the way Ney treated him. Kenney filed a formal grievance and met with administrators. But ultimately, Superintendent Kent Mutchler found no evidence to support Kenney’s grievance.

Since Ney became Director of Operations for the district on Aug. 12, 2012, more than 90 employees resigned or retired, several saying they and others left because of the way he treated them.

Records show the district paid Drendel & Jansons $20,262 for the work to interview current and former employees regarding the allegations against Ney.

The Kane County Chronicle has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to see the law firm’s report on its investigation of Ney.