The Mercer County School District has announced that it has removed Superintendent Tim Farquer from paid administrative leave following a regularly scheduled school board meeting on Wednesday night.
Farquer remains employed as the superintendent of the school district per his three-year contract, which expires at the conclusion of the 2026-27 school year. On Thursday, a press release from the Mercer County School District Board of Education said it will take formal action on Farquer’s status at its next meeting.
Farquer was acquitted of all criminal charges at the conclusion of a bench trial last month. He was facing multiple charges stemming from an Aledo Police Department investigation into a complaint accusing Mercer County School District employees of illegally accessing students’ medical records.
Deputy Superintendent Stacey Day will remain responsible for the day-to-day administration of the district.
The full press release from the Mercer County School District Board of Education is below.
“The Board appreciates the care with which the Court considered the issues and law presented. The Board understands—and has always understood—that superintendents across Illinois are entrusted with administrative responsibilities that require access to information necessary to protect student welfare, maintain school operations, and respond to public health or safety concerns.
It is important to note that no confidential student record information, which includes student health information, was shared or disseminated to anyone outside of the school district. The Board remains firmly committed to protecting student privacy, safeguarding confidential student information, and ensuring that access to student records is handled in accordance with applicable law and Board policy. To that end, the Board undertook a separate investigation into the allegations to ensure that Board policies and practices were being followed. The Court’s ruling is consistent with the findings of the Board’s own investigation.
The Board looks forward to turning its full attention back to what really matters—the new school year, the District’s students, and the continued work of providing a safe, supportive, and successful learning environment for every child.
Mr. Farquer remains employed as Superintendent pursuant to his three-year employment contract with the Board. Mrs. Day, as Deputy Superintendent, will continue to serve as the primary point of contact and will remain responsible for the day-to-day administration of the District.”