Chicago Public Schools Chief on Leave in Midst of Federal Probe

Deborah Bayliss | As of Monday, April 20, 2015

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Chief, Barbara Byrd-Bennett is now on leave pending the outcome of a federal probe into a controversial, $20.5 million no-bid contract the school district awarded her former employer.

Chicago Board of Education President, David Vitale, held an afternoon press conference at the CPS headquarters confirming Bryrd-Bennet’s leave and her interim, replacement.

“Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz is taking the responsibilities of the chief executive officer while Byrd-Bennett is on leave. As board vice president for almost four years, and a former chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, Ruiz has both the legal and educational expertise and experience to guide the district at this time while ensuring students and teachers continue to make academic gains in the classroom.”

A statement was also released from Chicago Mayor Emanuel’s office on Friday.

"Mayor Emanuel supports today’s actions by Barbara Byrd-Bennett and the Board of Education so that the focus of our teachers, principals and parents can remain on the nearly 400,000 students who depend on the district for a quality education. Though there have been no formal allegations, the Mayor has zero tolerance for any type of misconduct from public officials and welcomes today’s decision to help ensure this issue does not distract from the incredibly important work happening in our neighborhood public schools." –  Kelley Quinn, spokesperson

Though the matter was Board approved, so far, only Byrd-Bennett is being singled out for what appears to be a major conflict of interest.

The Chicago Citizen Newspaper on Thursday, called CPS, which faces a $1.2 billion fiscal year 2016 budget gap, for comment on the probe and was provided the following statement from Vitale with clarification that the Chicago Board of Education was made aware of the investigation on April 14, 2015.

The statement reads: “The Board of Education was made aware that federal authorities are investigating a matter at CPS and have requested interviews with several employees.  We take any allegation of misconduct seriously, and we are fully cooperating with investigators who requested that we not discuss any specifics regarding the ongoing investigation.”-- Chicago Board of Education president, David Vitale.

The Chicago Board of Education approved the contract at its June 26, 2013, meeting. The Chicago Citizen Newspaper pulled a document related to the contract titled: Approve Entering into an Agreement with the SUPES Academy for Leadership Development Services, from the Board’s website. It reads as follows:

Approve entering into an agreement with The SUPES Academy LLC to design and deliver the Chicago Executive Leadership Academy (CELA) for Regional Leadership, Principals and Assistant Principals at a total cost not to exceed $20,500,000.000 for a period of three years. Vendor was selected on a non-competitive basis; and the sole-source request was presented to the Non-Competitive Procurement Review Committee and approved by Chief Procurement Officer. No services shall be provided by vendor and no payment shall be made to the vendor prior to execution of the written agreement. The authority granted here-in shall automatically rescind in the event a written agreement is not executed within 90 days of the date of this Board Report. The term of this agreement shall commence on June 27, 2013 and shall end June 26, 2016. This agreement shall have no options to renew. The Board shall have the right to terminate this agreement within 30 days of written notice…vendor shall be paid upon monthly invoicing as specified in the agreement; total not to exceed the sum of $20,500,000.00 over the three-year term.

According to the Catalyst, an independent news organization that serves as a watchdog and resource for school improvement in Chicago, the Inspector General of the Chicago Board of Education’s office began looking into the contract with north suburban-based SUPES Academy and Byrd-Bennett's relationship to the company in 2013.

The U.S. attorney's office then followed suit with its own probe, and a grand jury reportedly has been reviewing evidence for at least a year.

Nick Schuler, Inspector General of the Chicago Board of Education Office, did not return the Chicago Citizen Newspaper’s telephone call on Thursday for comment regarding the investigation.

Known for her role in closing 50 Chicago schools, Byrd-Bennett, was appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Oct. 2012. Bennett’s contract was supposed to automatically renew for an additional year after its June 30thexpiration unless the board notified her otherwise by March 1, according to the Catalyst. As CPS chief, Byrd Bennett reportedly makes a base $250,000 annually salary.

When asked by the Chicago Citizen Newspaper if she planned to renew her contract, CPS provided no comment to the question.

When asked if he still has his vote of confidence in Byrd-Bennett, Emanuel said after Wednesday’s City Council Meeting, "I don't, I can't answer. I don't even know who they're looking at. It's a CPS matter."

The Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) president, Jesse Sharkey, responded via a released statement on the CTU website.

“Twenty million dollars can put teachers, counselors, librarians and nurses in our schools,” said Sharkey. “The mayor has the ultimate authority over what’s happening in our district. This new scandal leads to more instability in our school buildings and more revolving doors at CPS.”

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