"Thomas Ryan was a reverse Robin Hood, stealing from the poor children in his district to line his own pockets, spending money on himself, his family and his friends."
Feb 17, 2008 - An eight-year prison sentence will be cut short for the former Community Consolidated District 168 superintendent convicted in 2005 of stealing money from the Sauk Village school district.
Thomas Ryan, 56, is scheduled to be released April 12.
For 16 years, Ryan held a tight grip on the day-to-day operations of the Sauk Village district by using fear and intimidation tactics - even threatening to break a perceived snitch's legs - to keep critics at bay.A grand jury indicted Ryan with felony theft in 2005 after seizing $730,000 in bundled cash from his Orland Park home. Charges were also brought against former school board president Louise Morales and building and grounds supervisor Edward Bernacki, neither of whom was sentenced to time behind bars.
Later that year, Ryan pleaded guilty to the theft and repaid the district $400,000 in restitution.
Ryan served the majority of his sentence at East Moline's minimum security facility,
-------------------------------------------------------
IN 2005 Cook County State Attorney's Office Press Release (dated Aug 23, 2005)
Ryan was paid $183,000 a year in one of the poorest school districts in the state.
IN 2004 Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich appoints taskforce of school administrators to help shape new Department of Education Press Release (dated Feb 9, 2004) Included in the Education Accountability Taskforce membership was - Dr. Thomas Ryan, Supt. of Community Consolidated School District #168 (Sauk Village)
Greatschools.net rates the district a 2 (10 is best)
