What a B.S. story!
He drove 2.5 hours from South Bend, but couldn't make it the last seven houses?
He was so exhausted he couldn't drive the rest of the way, but was ready to pack up all his stuff and walk?!

This needs to be investigated and not swept under the rug.

Sounds like Mr. Mendoza was not truthful to the officer. This is the man who ultimately oversees what programs are cut at the schools in the district, affecting special needs kids like mine. With an 8% unemployment rate, we can't find someone else more qualified, responsible, and higher in character for his position?

wonder if he pulled the old "don't you know who I am?" routine

This goes on all the time..Its called Union Buddy systems. The police are Union so they go easy on other Union members. Its about time we stop acccepting being bullied by the Public School system. Go to Open the books.com to learn about what these Superintendents amke and then consider the times 53% for benefits. We as the tax payer have to take back our rights and our State.

cynthia, I don't believe the superintendents are unionized. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

Too bad for the cop. I wish he would have done his job so that jerk of a superintendant would get his. What comes around goes around Mendoza. You'll get yours someday. This totally needs to be investigated. He shouldn't be able to get away with that. No one just has on drink and then can't finish his drive home from only 7 houses away . I smell scandal and it has his name written all over it.

I have met Mr. Mendosa several times in business and charity settings. He has always conducted himself in a professional and courteous manner. I know him as a hard working, christian man, who represents his post well. Even though I don't spend time with him personally, I would vouch for his character any time. All of you who have commented before me, I ask - have you met him ? Then don't cast stones. TL from Algonquin

I know Dr. Mendoza and I feel that he does a great job as superintendent. I will respect his privacy on his own time. Believe me, I am a big conspiracy theory guy! But, I believe in Mendoza's character.

What if Dr. Medoza had killed someone driving home? Either way; too tired he was driving impaired.....in fact most police would point out that drunk drivers kill people not from lack of control, but because they fall asleep or pass out behind the wheel......

Curious to see how this unfolds...What an embarrassment!

Under the contract, Mendoza will receive an annual salary of $167,225, as well health insurance and retirement benefits, a vehicle allowance, and performance-based compensation, among other things. The contract runs through June 30, 2016.

“I’m so pleased that I have another five years here,” Mendoza said. “You can’t predict the future, but I can’t imagine working in a more supportive community

Yes what a supportive community and get free DUI's as well. That must also be in his 5-year contract. What a Joke... This is a cover-up for sure.

How fair is it that any of you are convicting that man without evidence, facts and a trial? What has happened to innocent until...here in fair McHenry County?

Sharon, this is not a legal issue, it ethics and morals.... its about being in a role in the community that requires a level of behavior, especially when he is to lead our youth. Do you really believe that story? Drinking and driving, lying....come on

Does anyone else see right thru Mendoza's bull? Did you read the other article in the Northwest Herald? It has a lot more information than this! Perhaps you should read that one. Mendoza is an egotistical and deceptive man who only cares about himself and obviously nobody else who was on any of the roads he was driving on that night. Once again, he was able to talk himself out of another situation that should have been taken seriously. He is an embarrasement to all of school district 47 and the poor taxpayers that pay is 6 figure salary and $250 a month car allowance. I hope this all comes back to bite him because he deserves it. Karma is a friend of mine, and not a friend of someone like him! Shame on the policeman who bent over backwards to drive Mendoza's car back home so he would not get a ticket, and shame on him for not giving him a field sobriety test after he was CLEARLY smelling of alcohol. Thanks to you, Mendoza gets off scotch free, without a consequence for his actions! Hopefully the publice can read between the lines and figure out for themselves that he is a liar and always will be! Nobody will ever look at you the same after this Donn! 2016 cannot come soon enough!!!! Get him out of my school district!!!!

Mendoza, please, was he driving the vehicle that $250.00 car allowance? So taxpayers are paying for this drunk to drive? As for the police, what happened to protecting the community? I guess if this guy commands a 6 figure salary, he gets a pass, he is part of the entitled people. What about the people he could have killed driving drunk from Indiana. Some of these comments are ridiculous, if he was a man of character, he would have stayed the nite in Indiana and slept it off, instead of risking lives. This is the man that is running our schools? Poor decisions in personal life, he is making decisions about our childrens lives? Just another example of the priviliged getting away with crimes. I agree 2016 cannot come soon enough, is there anything we can do to get him out sooner?

Mendoza sounds like an arrogant man, his story is totally unbelievable and ridiculous. We need a person in charge of our childrens well being and safety in the school district that accually cares about right and wrong, that doesn't take his position lightly and tweek it to his benefit. Can ANYONE beliieve his story? He thinks he is the king sitting in his high thrown and can't be touched. This type of arrogance should not be tolorated. It's a shame the police officer caved at everyones expense. Buddy.

They do know each other socially.

People! people!

People! People! Come on! You know how it works in Illinois and some of the things that go around out here make cook county look good! This is small potatoes here but I do understand most of the concerns posted. Sounds like the cop gave him a break to me. I have a feeling after all this it wont happen again and we saved thousands in tax dollars on court costs, incarceration etc. Mind you Mr M. if it happens again your toast!

School Board President Mason says this is not a school board issue. What?? People need to DEMAND that he address this because reading the police report it is a wonder that someone in Crystal Lake was not hurt. The Board needs to protect our children and set an example NOW. Did you know that the "exhausted" Mendoza was only six houses from his own when he stopped his car...too tired? Or too incapacitated to even know where he was? Plus, a one day suspension for an officer who failed to do a sobriety test, failed to arrest him, drove him home and then drove his car home for him? Then did not file a report until a week later AFTER the newspaper questioned the incident? Do not tell me the Chief did not know...and he should take this much more seriously. A high school buddy letting a city official off the hook? We need to flood the school board meeting and DEMAND this be addressed. Board President Mason cannot hide behind the no arrest bull...there would have and should have been an arrest. PLUS, the officer who stated that he took an extra key from the Mendoza home to get the car is NOT telling the truth. He walked back to the car, shined his flashlight inside to see that the key WAS in the ignition, then opened the door, got in and drove the car to Mendoza's home. This cover-up stuff has got to stop...what is with this city? Read the copy of the police report online at NW Herald...what a laugh...over exhausted and needs to cut back? Does anyone buy that load.

As taxpayers and or having students in the district we need to make our feelings heard by the school board who hired him & who gave him a 5 year contract! Send them letters, email and attend the board meeting to make your feelings heard!

Exactly LLOMIS!

You all are mad cause he makes too much....Anyone who knows Donn knows he's not a liar... he is a very happy spunky guy..... he does a great job and you know it ...

Everyone is always complaining about teachers, administrators, principals etc etc that they need these people to be the best for their children but then everyone complains about how much they get paid!! Ever look at what a good teacher gets paid in a bad school in a bad neighborhood? or even a good school in a good neighborhood? And you have the nerve to complain about the Chicago teachers going on strike to I bet! If this guy Mendoza had priors they would have thrown the book at him. That said, If you don't like it don't vote for him. Also the decision the officer made came from above him anyway so place your blame elsewhere!

test

What I am most concerned about is the fact that in the last paragraph of the police report Officer Burr states that Mrs. Mendoza was not home, the babysitter who answered left and that he left Mr. Mendoza in his breezeway. WHAT ABOUT THOSE CHILDREN THAT WERE HOME? Officer Burr and Mendoza both felt he was not able to safely walk a few houses home or drive but yet they both felt okay that he would be in a house with children. Are you kidding me? And yes, the board does need to address this. This man is in charge of the safety of many, many children. He has shown very poor judgment - he had his wits about him to state he was embarrassed because of his role in the community but not to say wait a second I can't watch these children. Sickening! I hope that the Chief of Police re-evaluates the disciplinary action that he gave his officer- they are very lucky nothing happened after that officer left Mendoza's house. You hear of stories where there is a fire, a child becomes seriously ill, etc. What would have happened had a tragedy happened? Dr. Mendoza has open admitted he is easily exciteable and needs to do a better job of balancing his personal and professional responsibilities. I am sorry - but I doubt your ability now to protect our children should a serious situation arise. Combined with the fact that Officer Burr could be the officer responding to a situation and I shudder to think of what could happen. Board Member Mason please rethink your comments! Worried

Next D47 Board Meeting is:
October 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. Bernotas Middle

Parents and community members who have concerns should attend and voice them.

For those of you who have never had to deal with Dr. Mendoza when their has been an issue with your child, consider yourself lucky. He is downright rude and ineffective. Highly recommend that when you have a concern you bypass him totally and go higher - document everything with the board of education. He will then write to you notifying you that he has received your concerns and from that point forward to address concerns him or so and so - even though the reason you wrote the board is because so and so did nothing and you have tried to go through the proper channels. Then he will also assure you that he wants to do everything to make your experience a positive one.

Again, Officer Burrs decision came from above so he's the scape goat for the CLPD in this instance so keep that in mind.

Again its always about favors in this state! Hard work and good work and loyalty just gets you laid off. But at the end of the day officer Burrs decision came form above not him!

You don't know and thats the point let it all play out. The media is a living and breathing entity that is evil to the core and and makes things look completely different than they are. Not to say they aren't but lets see. Ill bet 90% of the people posting on here have either had a friend,close relative or themselves in a similar or same situation themselves!

I know simple protocol for an officer in this situation OK that's my business I have had 2 relatives who where in the education business in the same area for 35 years I know how it works and believe me you don't want to know how and no they were no part of it. I'm not sticking up for anyone but just let it play out!

And I agree but its just not that easy for him taking the trickle down decisions that were thrown in his face to get a 1/2 ass job done and for it to look like hes the bad guy. He's trying to keep his job in a terrible economy. Im not saying there was no harm done but let it all play out over the next few weeks.

Fair enough...I will wait and watch it play out. Should be interesting....

It always is!

Not where a cop has violated such a policy just similar situations. I bet no none of us are perfect. Im not trying to really stick up for this guy but let it play out Im saying and again the person that needs to be grilled is the one who handed down "orders" on what to do.

I wonder if any of the neighbors who saw what was going on took any video of all of this? You never know what you might see on You Tube!

This really needs to be addressed. Is anyone on MADD. This whole story makes me furious. It may be the way the system works, but it is down right wrong. I agree wtih the comment earlier...does Mendoza think he is king, what an ego. As for him being a nice guy, no way a nice guy doesn't get in a car and drive all the way from Indiana to crystal lake and risk who knows how many lives. Crystal Lake police really dropped the ball here and so did the board. They can hide under whatever excuse they want, that it is not their concern. He is working for the community so the community should hold him accountable for his actions. Maybe someone from the organization MADD should be made aware of this situation, anyone know how to contact them?

Jeff, the bottom line is we pay his salary, he is paid one helluva lot of money, and guess what getting drunk and behind the wheel is an easy one to avoid. If he can't make that ethical decision, what other decisions does he make that abuse his power. I make good money, I have to take an ethics course and sign an ethics an code of conduct agreement every year....and guess what....break that code...you are fired. Calling in favors and breaking the rules mean you re gone...welcome to reality and the real world Mr. Mendoza.

Its right in their 2013-2015 strat plan

Leadership Team
The Community Consolidated School District 47 Leadership Team will support the District’s Vision by our commitment to:
Leadership Team:
Model behaviors set forth in our Mission and Vision and challenge behavior not supported by our Mission and Vision
Student Vision
Foster ethical, respectful, and responsible behavior.

Anyone wonder is the squad car had the video of this? If so, can it be made public?

Yes but the reality is that he did get away with it and wasn't charged with anything! wake up!

I am wide awake JEFF! He did get away with it, I am WELL aware. I would love to see him drunk on video though. I mean, come on! Then, all the people that believe in his good character and believe that he couldn't do such a thing, would see him in the condition he was in. That alone is enough for people to change their minds about his good character, isn't it?

p.s. with all the surrounding homecomings in the area....lets hope Mendoza isn't driving on the roads while all the teenagers are!

Everyone here is so much better than everyone else I'm sure! If people dont like they way things work in Illinois they should move. Just because he was in the back of a squad car doesn't mean he said anything incriminating maybe something will come of it.

Yes I heard Mendoza was the designated driver for homecoming you guys can form your lynch mob now.

lol Jeff...I dont think he was in the back of the squad car...I was hoping more or less to be in front of the squad car so we can see him stumbling around. (You know how they have video pointing to the cars they pull over)

Has anyone checked out his story with any witnesses? Ask the guy(s) he went to the game with. Did he really have 1 drink at 10:30 PM as he stated?

I dont know where he was I just know there is audio inside the squad cars as well and sometimes video. I know about the video in front.

Oh believe me I want to move too and I am in 2 years I get to travel quite a bit and you never really know how much we get screwed here in Illinois until you visit other states and check out there taxes,pricing on etc especially real estate taxes why are we so special and pay one of the highest in the country? I call it "ILLANOYING"

ILLANOYING...I like that! I am stealing that from you ;)

Jeff and Alees...sounds like you guys have made a love connection and can move away together... You're spending way to much time on this story, time to make your own, best wishes

yeah!!

Illinois! Illinois! pay the fee get off Scott free! If you don't like it cast your vote but remember the end result is a place very remote!

Alees, two of your comments were deleted due to profanity. You can post your opinions, but keep it clean - no $$ signs either - or it gets deleted.

I have seen very few adult comments so far on this post thats why we all dropped it.

What I meant about the UNION connection is this: Typically a Superintendent at one time or another has been a member of the School teachers Union and may still be a member. They are in support of the Union becuase they are opposed to Charter Schools whioch operate outside of their control. This is the connection Union to Union that I was making with my comments. In addition the Super intendents and the School Boards are a big part of the education problem becuase it is they who have given away the increases in salary and benefits without proven improvments in education therby putting all of the expense on the back of the taxpayer.

And the School Boards and the Superintendents tend to be all buddy buddy. Washing each others back. Enter the Police Union buddies and we have Chicago politics. its all about the entitlements.

I am an adult...frankthetank lol

I believe in order to give a field sobriety test, person must have control of vehicle. Officer didn't see keys in car. Mendoza was in back seat. Officer asked Mendoza if he had keys, which he responded "no". How was the officer supposed to give him a sobriety test, legally? I understand you might have certain feelings for Mendoza, but what the officer did was all he could legally do. I'm sure he didn't do a write-up because there was no crime. Without any car keys, there is nothing giving Mendoza control of the car, thus no crime committed.

I also know for a FACT, that Mendoza and Officer Burr DON'T "hang out". They knew of each other, but weren't really friends. Know the facts before you run someones name through the mud.

Our judicial system is based upon "innocent until proven guilty." In this case, there wasn't even an arrest, or charges. If anyone has information that contradicts what has been released by the police or Dr. Mendoza, and wants to go on the record with that information, contact me at Stephanie.Price@patch.com. I'll hear and post your side of the story in a followup article (I must source the information with your real name).

Someone..must have seen Mendozza drive that car into its position on the side of the road. Did the police officer check every home on the block? No he did not...He just allowed Mendozza to not take the test. Do you really think this is how most police officers handle a similar situation??? Really.....
I think not...
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck,...get my drift?

Stephanie, you cannot use the "there wasn't even an arrest" argument to say innocent until proven guilty. The suspension of the police officer was because he WAS SUPPOSED TO do a field sobriety test and there SHOULD HAVE been an arrest. The fact that the officer did not do his job (which is FACT based on the suspension) does not make Mendoza innocent...just lucky. You ask for someone to come forward who saw it, but why would those that did after seeing an officer cover up for a city official? Nobody wants the retaliation that would come with it. All I can say is look at the scenario described in the paper, add that to the officer knowing Mendoza, and throw in the suspension and the lame story from Mendoza. While that is definitely not enough to arrest him...it certainly does not pass the smell test. For the School Board President to neglect all of that is shameful. Finally, previous posts say that the officer did his job and could not do anything...are you telling me it is normal for them to drive someone home and then WALK back to his car and drive it home for him? Stop thinking about sticking up for him and start imagining if he hit someone or killed someone? Awake enough to drive all the way to Crystal Lake from South Bend...but not the remaining four houses to his home?

I can't believe you guys still don't understand how things work out here!