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* Nader Issa at the Sun-Times…
The watchdog overseeing the Chicago Public Schools has received nearly three complaints per school day since last year of sexual misconduct by adults against students.
And out of all 535 cases reported since the start of October 2018, there are 239 that are still open and under investigation, according to the watchdog.
Those new numbers were released Wednesday by CPS Inspector General Nicholas Schuler as he detailed his office’s investigative work at the Board of Education’s monthly meeting.
Among those new cases in the past year, 228 involved a teacher while 81 involved a security guard — meaning 4.7% of security guards were the subject of an allegation.
That’s a darned high percentage of security guards. Sounds like it’s time to revamp the vetting process.
*** UPDATE *** Nader updated the story with some more numbers…
Of the closed cases, investigators have substantiated 67 allegations against adults, mostly involving “concerning” behavior and not rising to the level of sexual abuse or assault. Seven substantiated cases involved a sexual act or abuse and another 12 were about improper touching that was deemed less than sexual abuse.
As a result of those substantiated cases, 57 adults were fired, resigned or retired after the completion of the investigations while another 96 have been pulled from their job while the inspector general examines the cases. Seventeen cases have involved police and criminal prosecution.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 8:58 am
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81 out of 309 is 27%. Where did 4.7% come from?
Comment by Hippo Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:03 am
Could you imagine what the media would say if this was the Catholic School system ? They say shut it down.. for the safety of the children.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:14 am
-Could you imagine what the media would say if this was the Catholic School system ? They say shut it down.. for the safety of the children.-
Doesn’t need to be a catholic school to argue this, Steve. Security guards and teachers should be vetted before entering a school to begin with. That’s just common sense.
Comment by SpfdNewb Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:27 am
Where did the 309 number of security guards come from?
Also this NPR article says 14% of security guards were accused.
https://www.npr.org/local/309/2019/07/26/745358653/chicago-school-security-guards-accused-of-sexual-misbehavior-at-high-rates
The article does mention that half of the accusations were of people seeming “ creepy” and not rising to the level of misconduct.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:40 am
I am sure Jessie Sharkey wil be more than happy to help root out this disgraceful situation, unless the notification got caught in his spam filter
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:43 am
Hippo - I think the article was suggesting that 81 allegations against security guards tracked to 4.7% of all security guards (which presumes each allegation is against a separate guard).
Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:45 am
The real question is are the allegations being thoroughly investigated and if so, what are the numbers for substantiated allegations.
Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:47 am
- SpfdNewb -
This is a threatening and hostile learning environment. Not very safe for children to learn.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:47 am
Sorry 14% of people accused not 14% of security guards. My bad.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:47 am
@anon - From personal knowledge, many of the claims are bogus. A lot of problem parents exist that try to sue CPS at every opportunity. But CPS still has likely ignored the severity of the problem and not done their jobs to ensure the safety of the students.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 9:55 am
There’s a similar case going on in Evanston right now, involving a security guard at a middle school.
Comment by statehoss Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 10:02 am
==A lot of problem parents exist that try to sue CPS at every opportunity==
85% of the CPS student population is minority. That’s a bold claim without any numbers to back it up.
Security officers fall under SEIU Local 73 contract. What is their statement on this matter? CTU?
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 10:04 am
That 4.7% number assumes that each complaint was about a different person—the PowerPoint of the report is available on the IGs site and says there are about 1700 security guards.
Indeed, it notes specifically that it is 67 individuals-3.94%-subject to complaint.
Comment by Chris Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 10:18 am
Never to diminish the allegations and their integrity. Never………but
This goes on not just in Chicago schools. Often, but obviously, not always, these are false allegations but tarnish the reputation of a teacher forever despite no truth to the accusation.
Why teach? Such a dangerous career in so many ways.
Comment by Ano Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 10:53 am
-This is a threatening and hostile learning environment. Not very safe for children to learn.-
Now I know you are concern trolling Steve, but as FLOTUS says “Be Best”.
On the post, its likely a combination of CPS not taking allegations seriously (maybe) and/or parents filing frivolous allegations against teachers/staff they do not like. CPS is investigating as they should, but this issue will likely need an independent investigator to find out what is going on.
Comment by SpfdNewb Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 11:05 am
This intersection of the two most powerful special interests in Illinois government, unions and trial lawyers, sure crystallizes a lot of the dysfunction in Illinois.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 11:24 am
I think the issue of “false allegations” is likely a bit more complicated. It could be a guard/teacher is making a small action as a starting point to see if they can get away with it. The action may be viewed as insignificant or false, but was a legitimate item to report. Likewise, a student who is young and naive may report something that is a truly innocent action. But it is better for them to report the incident than assume that it is better to keep their mouth shut and err on the side of being abused.
Comment by City Guy Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 1:16 pm
Nothing like handing in your retirement after a substantiated work infraction. Must be awkward asking to apply your unused sick days towards your pension after all that.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 21, 19 @ 2:15 pm
The more I read, the more the better your material is.
Comment by Mellissa Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 3:25 am
I saw something like a few weeks ago, but you did detailed study, and your article appears to
be much more compelling than the others. I am astounded with the
arguments you supplied in addition to the manner of your article.
I like when posts are both interesting and informative, when even boring
details are presented in an interactive way. Well,
it is definitely about your article.
Comment by Paul Vicknair Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 5:07 am