A principal at a Chicago High School allegedly got creative and came up with the idea to pay students out of the school fund for tips on gangs.
Gangs long have been a problem in the Northwest Side neighborhood that feeds into Carl Schurz High School. But the principal had an unorthodox way of going after them, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit. She allegedly paid students to give up the gang affiliations of classmates.
"The school is loaded with gang bangers," said Sally Chiodo, one of four plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which describes her as a former treasurer and secretary at Schurz.
Before leaving as principal earlier this year, Mary Ann Folino would approach two particular students when she needed information, ask them to "identify certain gang bangers," and pay them $50 per tip -- with school funds, Chiodo said. "That would happen on a regular basis," she said.
Folino, who could not be reached for comment, may have had good intentions, Chiodo said. She allegedly used the information to try to force out problem students. But it still violated school district policies, the lawsuit contends.
The complaint targets Folino, the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman, and makes a host of other allegations, including that Folino "engaged in the practice of ghost student enrollment," in an apparent attempt to boost funding.
The suit also outlines troubles in the special education program, claiming that audit information provided to the Illinois State Board of Education was falsified. (The state board now is looking into this claim, an official said.)
The four plaintiffs complained about various problems at the school, the suit alleges, but "Folino took retaliatory action" against them, violating whistleblower protection rules.
Gangs long have been a problem in the Northwest Side neighborhood that feeds into Carl Schurz High School. But the principal had an unorthodox way of going after them, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit. She allegedly paid students to give up the gang affiliations of classmates.
"The school is loaded with gang bangers," said Sally Chiodo, one of four plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which describes her as a former treasurer and secretary at Schurz.
Before leaving as principal earlier this year, Mary Ann Folino would approach two particular students when she needed information, ask them to "identify certain gang bangers," and pay them $50 per tip -- with school funds, Chiodo said. "That would happen on a regular basis," she said.
Folino, who could not be reached for comment, may have had good intentions, Chiodo said. She allegedly used the information to try to force out problem students. But it still violated school district policies, the lawsuit contends.
The complaint targets Folino, the Chicago Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman, and makes a host of other allegations, including that Folino "engaged in the practice of ghost student enrollment," in an apparent attempt to boost funding.
The suit also outlines troubles in the special education program, claiming that audit information provided to the Illinois State Board of Education was falsified. (The state board now is looking into this claim, an official said.)
The four plaintiffs complained about various problems at the school, the suit alleges, but "Folino took retaliatory action" against them, violating whistleblower protection rules.
In one instance not outlined in the lawsuit but relayed by Chiodo, a teacher friendly with Folino *"blew a gym whistle in my face and said, 'Tell me you're not the whistleblower,'" then tossed a bag on Chiodo's desk with a plastic rat inside.The Chicago Public Schools' inspector general's office investigated that claim and recommended discipline against the teacher accused of wielding the whistle and rat, records indicate.
A CPS attorney who said she is representing Folino declined to comment on the suit, saying: "We do not discuss pending litigation."
Huberman's press secretary, Monique Bond, said: "We're certainly concerned any time allegations as strong as these surface." She declined further comment.
The school, located at Milwaukee and Addison, has roughly 2,300 students
*Who would do this kind of mess - hilarious! Sounds like a bad movie.
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5 comments:
There's a principal in Tazewell County who pays kids to snitch on fellow students if they're 'on drugs'. I think it's bad policy; we've seen students get in fights and then rat their BFF out days later. The "Snitcher" goes unpunished while the "Snitch-ee" gets expelled. Some students have even used this policy to get themselves out of their own troubles....snitch on a couple other kids, get outta trouble.
I don't think principals should be doing back room deals with children, especially without the knowledge or permission of a parent.
I see why the principals are tempted to do this, but it seems that this type of activity is too dangerous for a person who is not an officer of the law and could really put the entire student body in more danger.
A long time ago someone on staff told me that a young man in my class (who was having some difficulties with the class) had helped out considerably by snitching on some "bad" kids. I was sort of asked to be lenient on him because of the help. I said that if he was to be rewarded they would have to find some other way than with a grade in my class. Of course, students should not be asked to tell on others. I had a situation in my class toward the end of my career when a student was throwing nails at me--you'd think I could have caught him but it was a game and he was good at it. I knew the other kids knew who it was but I certainly didn't fault them for not telling--they could have been in more danger than I was. Some let me know that they hated the whole thing--that was enough for me.
Let me guess--this high school might not be one of the school's that Vallas (or Duncan) chose as a charter school. I have no idea if that's true or not--just taking a wild guess. Sounds more like the kids left behind. If I'm wrong, I'm counting on Jon to jump on it. Then, of course, I can switch my argument to say that the charter school isn't working. Ha!
Speaking of charter schools, has anyone noticed the sign right next to the Quest sign (of course, it was then for Loucks and Thomas Jefferson, also). It says "Peoria Zoo"--of course, with the arrow pointing away from the school. Still I think the city could have found a better place to put the sign. But it's still funny--depending.
I miss your thoughts. Are you on vacation?
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