Former students accuse CPS officials of longtime abuse, sexual misconduct

Twelve Chicago women are sharing stories of sexual abuse by public-school officials – highlighting the district’s failure to address such charges in a timely manner, according to the local NBC affiliate.

“Our investigation underscores that Chicago Public Schools – the nation’s third largest school district – is still working to addressing gaps in information sharing,” the news outlet explains, “and is facing criticism for the time it takes to investigate sexual misconduct allegations.”

The women, who graduated from Little Village Lawndale High School between 2009 and 2019, described misconduct by teachers and administrators not only after they turned 18, but also while some were still in high school.

“We have multiple different administrators and teachers that are grooming and preying on students and sexually abusing them,” said Marty Gould, an attorney representing other former students. “It is just beyond the pale.” 

Some investigations taking more than 3 years 

Through several Freedom of Information Act requests, the NBC affiliate discovered at least seven of the high school’s administrators and teachers have been fired since 2017. 

“All of the educators were either permanently banned from working at Chicago Public Schools or were placed on a more temporary ‘Do Not Hire’ list while the internal investigations into the allegations remain pending,” the news outlet writes. 

However, at least two of the educators placed on the list are still working in a suburban district while investigations remain pending against them, according to the affiliate. 

“The suburban district told NBC 5 Investigates they were not aware because Chicago Public Schools had not told them that educators were under investigation. Chicago Public Schools later told NBC 5 Investigates that it notifies the Illinois Board of Education about those on the Do Not Hire list, and shares information to districts – when it is requested.” 

Because the investigations are taking so long to conclude, some victims have been waiting more than three years to hear the outcome, the news outlet concluded. 

“A large investigation involving (Infinity High School’s former sociology teacher Dennis Kass, former principal Charles N. Smith) and others is still pending – meaning there’s been no finding of wrongdoing against them. That report is expected to be completed in June.” 

Interview with ‘Michelle’ regarding former principal 

Because of the allegations’ sexual nature, most of the women requested their identities to be withheld.  

A former student asking to be called “Michelle” said Smith asked for her phone number in 2019 when she came for her high school records and diploma. 

Smith sent her 42 text messages two days after her graduation, according to internal records from the inspector general and obtained by the outlet. 

The two had sex shortly afterward, Michelle said: “He just went to the bank afterwards and decided to give me $100 for me to spend.” 

Smith was removed as principal in February 2023 and resigned in June that year, according to CPS records. 

“The next month, he got a new job working as an assistant principal in the Elgin school district,” the news outlet wrote. “On his application for that position, he was asked if he has ever been the subject of an allegation of sexual misconduct or if he resigned while an investigation was pending. He marked ‘no’ for both.” 

Smith “vehemently denies” the charges, according to Stephanie Nathanson, an attorney representing him. 

“Mr. Smith … is confident that once (the investigation) is completed, accusations will be unfounded, and he will be cleared of any allegations of wrongdoing,” she said in a statement.