Lawsuit ‘Disruptive’ At School News About Fellow Counselor Adds Windup Stress For Staff

School’s almost out, ending a difficult two weeks for the Coeur d’Alene High School counseling staff.

At their own or their parents’ request, many students were reassigned to a different guidance counselor after The Spokesman-Review reported recent developments in a lawsuit against counselor Steve Milionis.

The news was “very disruptive,” said Steve Casey, high school principal. But, he added, “We have a great team of people, and they have compensated for it.”

Dody Stewart, a former student in the Wallace School District, has accused Milionis of having sexual relations with her while she was a student there.

In 1990, Milionis was hired by the Coeur d’Alene School District.

Although the school board met behind closed doors this week to discuss personnel issues, they would not confirm whether the agenda included the allegations against Milionis.

When school district officials first learned of the lawsuit last fall, they temporarily suspended the counselor as they investigated his behavior while in the Coeur d’Alene School District.

Finding nothing amiss, school officials allowed Milionis to return to work.

School superintendent Doug Cresswell said he knew of only two recent phone calls to the district concerning the allegations.

“The administration has not referred any complaints to me at this time,” said Ken Burchell, school board chairman. “I don’t wish to make any further comment.”

Meanwhile, no action has been taken by the state’s Professional Standards Commission, which investigates teacher misconduct on behalf of the state Board of Education.

The commission’s investigator position is temporarily vacant.

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