A former part-time assistant soccer coach at a north suburban high school was ordered held on $1 million bond over the weekend for allegedly sexually assaulting three students, police say.
Cori Beard, 28, of the 300 block of Farmington Lane, in Vernon Hills, was charged with 12 counts of criminal sexual assault and is being held in Lake County Jail.
Beard has been a part-time assistant soccer coach at Vernon Hills High School for both boys and girls since 2013, police said. School administrators contacted the police department Thursday after learning “of possible criminal conduct involving a member of the Vernon Hills High School Staff and a student.”
“Investigators learned that Beard was involved in unlawful sexual acts with three current Vernon Hills High School boys,” police said.
Investigators determined the alleged sex acts occurred between December of 2016 and February 2018, police said.
The school districted activated its “Crisis Team” and will make counsellors available to students and staff, police said.
Anyone with information about the investigation is encouraged to contact the Vernon Hills Police Department at 847-247-4884.
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“The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority,” the district said. “And Community High School District 128 regrets the pain some individuals may be experiencing as a result of recent allegations made regarding the conduct of District 128 employee Cori Beard.”
The school board voted Monday night to terminate Beard's employment effective immediately.
The district encouraged students to come forward with any information they might have.
