whistleblower policies in schools Archives

By Steve Pawlyk

Published March 20, 2025

In March 2025, two former Lake Zurich High School cheerleading coaches – head coach Kaylin Dietrich and assistant coach Gabriele N. Kelly – were charged with felony theft and money laundering after an investigation found they diverted approximately $38,000 of school funds for personal use.

Both coaches had been involved in the school’s cheer program prior to these charges. Lets take a look at each coach’s background, achievements, reputation before this incident, and how you can ensure nothing like this occurs in your program.

Kaylin Dietrich

Coaching History: Kaylin Dietrich served as the head cheerleading coach at Lake Zurich High School from 2020 until her departure in 2025
She brought extensive cheer experience to the role: Dietrich cheered in college at Southeastern Louisiana University and even competed at the UCA College Nationals during her collegiate years
After college, she worked for Varsity’s Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), where she was the Illinois/Wisconsin State Director in 2019–2020
In October 2020, Lake Zurich High introduced Dietrich as the new head coach, praising her “wealth of knowledge, experience and passion” for cheerleading
Accolades and Achievements: Under Dietrich’s leadership, the Lake Zurich cheer team remained a strong competitor in Illinois. The squad consistently qualified for the IHSA state cheerleading finals (Large Team division) during her tenure
For example, Lake Zurich’s cheer team reached the state final competition in 2021, 2022, and 2023 with Dietrich as head coach
While they did not capture a state title in those years, the program’s regular state qualification and past success (Lake Zurich was the 2011 IHSA State Champion and a multi-time sectional champion) highlighted the team’s competitiveness. Dietrich’s arrival was met with optimism that her expertise would continue this tradition of excellence

Prior Allegations or Legal Issues: There are no known prior misconduct allegations or legal issues involving Dietrich before the 2025 case. Reports of the theft investigation did not reference any earlier incidents, suggesting this was the first time she faced such accusations. Authorities focused on the 2025 financial case, and nothing in the public record indicates Dietrich had any past disciplinary problems or criminal history before this incident.
Reputation: In the cheerleading community, Dietrich was generally well-regarded prior to the scandal. Her background with college cheer and UCA gave her credibility as a knowledgeable coach. Locally, she was seen as an enthusiastic leader for the Lake Zurich program – the school’s athletic department openly welcomed her expertise in 2020
Fellow coaches and cheer participants knew her as someone with a strong skill set and passion for the sport. Prior to the financial misconduct case, her reputation in Lake Zurich was that of a dedicated and accomplished cheer coach, with no hint of the troubles to come.

BROWSE OUR MIXES

Gabriele N. Kelly

Coaching History: Gabriele “Gabby” N. Kelly (26) was an assistant coach with the Lake Zurich High School cheer program leading up to the 2025 incident
Unlike Dietrich, Kelly was not a full-time employee of Lake Zurich High outside of coaching. She worked as an English teacher at Grayslake Central High School while coaching cheer at Lake Zurich on the side
A Grayslake Central student newspaper in October 2023 identified Kelly as a teacher of English II and III who also served as a cheerleading coach at Lake Zurich High School
Kelly is a resident of Algonquin, Illinois, and joined the Lake Zurich cheer staff sometime before or during the 2023–24 school year
Accolades and Achievements: Kelly’s individual accolades in cheerleading are not widely documented. As a relatively new coach, her contributions were primarily as part of the Lake Zurich coaching staff rather than as a head coach. During the 2023–24 season, while she was assisting Dietrich, the Lake Zurich team maintained its competitive standing – including qualifying for the state finals along with other top teams in their division
However, no specific awards or recognitions are attributed to Kelly personally in the cheer community prior to the misconduct case. Her role was supportive in nature, helping the head coach and athletes, so any team successes (such as competition placements) were shared as part of the program.

Prior Allegations or Legal Issues: There are no reports of any prior allegations or legal issues involving Gabriele Kelly before this incident. She was an early-career teacher and coach with no known history of misconduct until the 2025 theft and money laundering charges surfaced. Neither school officials nor news sources have indicated any previous problems in her record. Kelly’s criminal charges in March 2025 – two counts of theft and two counts of money laundering – appear to be an isolated development, without any earlier similar accusations
Reputation: Prior to the financial scandal, Kelly did not have a particularly high-profile reputation in the cheerleading world. She was essentially known as a young educator and assistant coach in the local area. Colleagues and students likely saw her as a normal member of the faculty and coaching staff, and there was no public controversy attached to her name before 2025. In the Lake Zurich cheer community, her presence was overshadowed by the head coach’s leadership; she was a supporter and mentor for the team rather than a prominent figure. By all accounts, Kelly’s reputation was clean and unremarkable (in a positive way) prior to this case – there were no suspicions or negative reports about her until the allegations of financial misconduct emerged.

Financial misconduct within educational athletic programs (or all-star programs) not only undermines the integrity of the institutions but also adversely affects the students and communities they serve.

This type of misconduct is especially troubling because it can be perpetrated by coaches who, on the surface, appear professional, dedicated, and highly reputable. Individuals entrusted with leading and guiding young athletes might exploit their respected status, leveraging the trust of their community to mask unethical behavior.

The case involving former Lake Zurich High School coaches Gabriele N. Kelly and Kaylin Dietrich highlights that even seemingly trustworthy individuals are capable of stealing from their programs. Therefore, constant vigilance and proactive measures are essential to safeguard against financial wrongdoing and protect the program’s reputation and resources.

To prevent stuff like this happening in your program, consider implementing the following measures:

Implement Comprehensive Financial Policies
Establish clear financial protocols detailing procedures for handling funds, including budgeting, expenditures, and reimbursements. These policies should be documented and accessible to all relevant personnel.
– Establish clear budgeting guidelines, specifying approval processes and limitations.
– Define and document reimbursement procedures clearly, requiring itemized receipts and detailed explanations for expenses.
– Create protocols for cash handling, bank deposits, and payment processes.
– Ensure that financial policies are easily accessible and reviewed regularly with all staff involved.
Conduct Regular Audits
Schedule periodic internal and external audits to review financial records. Regular audits can identify discrepancies early and deter potential misconduct.
– Schedule quarterly internal audits conducted by personnel separate from those handling financial transactions.
– Arrange annual external audits by certified accounting professionals.
– Investigate promptly any anomalies or inconsistencies uncovered during audits.
– Publicly document audit findings to promote transparency.
Segregate Financial Duties
Divide financial responsibilities among multiple individuals to reduce the risk of misappropriation. For example, the person authorizing expenses should not be the same individual managing the accounts.
– Assign distinct individuals to handle tasks such as expense authorization, bookkeeping, and financial reporting.
– Avoid overlap of responsibilities, ensuring no single person controls all financial activities.
– Rotate financial responsibilities periodically among qualified personnel to avoid familiarity leading to potential abuses.
Provide Financial Training
Offer training sessions for coaches and staff on ethical financial practices and the importance of adhering to established protocols. Educated staff are more likely to recognize and avoid unethical behaviors.
– Conduct regular workshops and training sessions focused on ethical financial management.
– Train coaches and staff on recognizing and reporting unethical behaviors or financial misconduct.
– Offer resources and educational materials that highlight best practices and potential risks.
Establish a Whistleblower Policy
Create a safe and anonymous reporting system for staff, students, and parents to report suspected financial misconduct without fear of retaliation. This encourages transparency and accountability.
– Implement an anonymous and secure reporting system for staff, students, and parents.
– Clearly communicate the process for reporting concerns and guarantee protection from retaliation.
– Regularly reinforce the importance of reporting unethical behavior through meetings or communications.
Perform Background Checks
Conduct thorough background checks on all coaching staff and volunteers to identify any past financial misconduct. This proactive step can prevent individuals with a history of unethical behavior from handling program funds.
– Conduct thorough criminal and financial background checks on all coaching staff and volunteers.
– Update checks regularly to ensure continued suitability and trustworthiness of personnel.
– Follow up immediately on any flagged concerns identified through these checks.
Foster a Culture of Accountability
Promote an environment where ethical behavior is expected and valued. Encourage open discussions about financial integrity and make it clear that misconduct will not be tolerated.
– Encourage open and honest conversations about ethical behavior and financial integrity.
– Clearly outline expectations regarding ethical behavior, emphasizing zero tolerance for misconduct.
– Publicly commend and recognize staff members demonstrating exemplary financial transparency and integrity.

By implementing these measures, cheerleading programs can safeguard their financial resources, maintain trust within the community, and ensure that funds are used to enhance the athletes’ experiences and development.