Police close case into Erwin file

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ST. CHARLES – The case of Barbara Erwin’s missing is closed. The file has not been recovered.

St. Charles Police Department spokesman Paul McCurtain said that pending future leads, the investigation into the former superintendent’s file’s disappearance was over.

“There just isn’t anything for them [the investigators] to go on,” McCurtain said.

Erwin’s file was reported missing July 3 by Superintendent Don Schlomann.

During its investigation, police interviewed district staff and were in communication with Schlomann.

Schlomann said he had received a call from investigators who “suggested that they were at a dead-end.”

“And I suggested to them that maybe they should close the investigation,” Schlomann said, adding that he was relying on their judgment.

While police conducted their investigation, Schlomann ordered Brian Harris, District 303’s new head of human resources, to study the situation and prepare a report on possible changes to the district’s security.

Under the old system, personnel files such as Erwin’s were kept in a locked room, in locked filing cabinets. Only four human resources personnel had access to the room. Those wishing to view materials either were given copies made by the human resources staff or they were escorted into the room by a staff member and chaperoned.

Harris and Schlomann have said previously that they did not expect major changes to the district’s security. Schlomann said that changes likely would consist of changing locks and acquiring new filing cabinets.

Schlomann also announced at Monday’s board meeting that a full audit of district’s finances would include those related to Erwin. Auditors will examine Erwin’s salary, cashed-in sick and vacation days, and will look at her tenure with the district. The audit will be conducted by an outside firm in September.