PAXTON, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A Title IX investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Paxton-Buckley-Loda (PBL) teacher and coach Robert Pacey has concluded with a finding of insufficient evidence to support claims that he violated district policy.
The investigation stemmed from allegations that Pacey inappropriately touched a female student and made inappropriate comments during her time in junior high.
According to the documents, the complainant alleged that Pacey instructed her to wear spandex to practice, made her change clothes in front of him, and touched her inappropriately. She told her therapist that these incidents occurred while she was in the 7th grade. The therapist reported the concerns to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which then contacted the complainant’s parents in January 2025.
The district hired law firm Franczek PC to conduct the initial investigation. While multiple individuals and witnesses were interviewed, the complainant declined to participate directly, which the investigators noted in their findings. They cited both the delay in reporting the alleged conduct and the absence of a direct interview with the complainant as key factors contributing to the lack of evidence.
Franczek PC concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that Pacey violated board policy. They recommended no disciplinary finding against the teacher. To further evaluate the matter, the district brought in INCompliance Consulting to conduct a second, independent review. This investigation, dated August 6, 2025, considered allegations made by two separate complainants.
INCompliance determined there was insufficient evidence to confirm that Pacey made the first complainant change in front of him or that he touched her bottom. Similarly, the investigation found no sufficient evidence to support claims from the second complainant. Investigators from INCompliance pointed out that neither complainant was interviewed — reportedly due to parental restrictions — and that there were few witnesses available. They also noted that both the complainants’ and Pacey’s accounts contained inconsistencies, making it difficult to determine credibility on either side.
Ultimately, INCompliance concluded that the evidence did not establish that Pacey engaged in the alleged conduct or violated PBL district policy. However, the report emphasized that this determination should not be interpreted as a denial of the emotional impact the complainants may have experienced.
Under Title IX guidelines, both parties have 10 school business days to appeal the determination. If an appeal is filed, the Title IX Coordinator will notify both parties and provide an opportunity to submit a written response either in support of or challenging the decision. Separate from the Title IX proceedings, five anonymous plaintiffs have filed civil lawsuits against Robert Pacey, the PBL school district, and several school officials. The lawsuits allege sexual misconduct and failure by school officials to protect students. The cases are currently proceeding through McLean County court.
Chicago-based civil rights attorney Bhavani Raveendran, representing the plaintiffs, has requested that the lawsuits be consolidated into a single case. A status hearing is scheduled for September 11, during which the court is expected to consider that motion.
