CPS’ firing of two administrators was ‘influenced’ by inappropriate, confidential investigation: report

The 2020 firing of Lincoln Park High School’s principal and assistant principal, which sparked protests from parents and students, was at least partly due to an inappropriate, confidential investigation for Chicago Public Schools, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General.

According to CPS, the two administrators were fired for “reasonable findings” of misconduct and failure to follow protocol related to the boys’ basketball team, which officials said caused chaos at the North Side school. The boys’ basketball season was canceled, students staged strikes, parents complained en masse, and administrative lawsuits followed.

However, according to the OIG report, the reasons initially cited for the firings were largely not related to the boys’ team, but rather to a separate incident that should have been handled differently.

The official who conducted that investigation, CPS Chief Title IX Officer Camie Pratt, resigned this summer with a “do not hire” designation on her file, according to CPS documents. The inspector general recommended that Pratt and her deputy be subject to “disciplinary action up to and including termination.”

The attorney representing Pratt said in a statement: “Ms. Pratt strongly disputes the allegations made in the CPS OIG report and is confident that a review by an independent outside investigator would demonstrate that she acted in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.”

“MS. Pratt performed her job as CPS’ chief Title IX officer with integrity and compassion,” the statement said. She plans to file a “substantive rebuttal” of the report this week.

The circumstances surrounding Pratt’s departure were uncovered by a former, long-time CPS substitute teacher who is now conducting his own investigation. After the former deputy released the information about X, WBEZ requested and received the OIG report in addition to other documents related to Pratt’s employment.

CPS officials declined to provide further information about Pratt’s departure, including why it took four years for the inspector general to release a report or for Pratt to be held accountable.

Pratt joined CPS in 2019 amid much fanfare Chicago Tribune Betrayed seriesthat found systemic problems in the way the district handled cases of sexual abuse and misconduct involving students. When she hired Pratt to work for the Office of Student Protections and Title IX, then-CEO Janice Jackson said it was part of her effort to “leave no stone unturned” to ensure students were safe and fully compliant with Title IX, The Civil Rights Act, uphold prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs.

At the time of the February 2020 firings of Lincoln Park Principal John Thuet and Assistant Principal Michelle Brumfield, the firings were publicly related to the conduct of an unsanctioned boys’ basketball overnight trip in which two students were filmed in a sexual encounter that took place outside The school shared consent.

But at the same time the investigation began, Pratt and her deputy, in a confidential investigation, questioned school officials about how they responded to an allegation about a text exchange between a student related to Pratt. and the girls’ basketball coach, the OIG found.

Unsubstantiated findings related to the text message were presented as substantiated at a local school board meeting — and a key reason for Thuet and Brumfield’s firing, according to the OIG report. The investigation into the boys’ team was ongoing at the time of this meeting. School district officials said at the time that Thuet and Brumfield were fired “due to multiple allegations of serious misconduct involving the athletic program.”

Although Pratt said she informed Jackson about the incident between her relative and the girl’s basketball coach, the inspector general’s report said she did not disclose the investigation conducted by her and her deputy. The OIG report said Pratt should never have conducted an investigation because it was a conflict of interest to investigate a situation involving a relative and because her office was tasked with investigating student abuse and lacked jurisdiction.

As a result of this confidential investigation, the girls’ basketball coach was suspended. The OIG Sexual Allegations Division later determined that the girls’ basketball coach “directly composed and transmitted text messages.” [the relative] in his personal vehicle in violation of CPS policy, but these acts were not sexually motivated.” Disciplinary action, but not termination, was recommended.

The inspector general became involved in the case after Pratt complained about retaliation against her relative by a coach who replaced the suspended coach. Pratt said her relative should expect reduced playing time under the new coach.

According to the inspector general’s report, Pratt said she was unaware that her findings would be used to justify firing Thuet and Brumfield. She also said she didn’t know her office had no jurisdiction over the case. The OIG refutes these statements in the report.

Thuet and Brunfield’s attorney said the two had no comment at this time.

Sarah Karp takes over the training for WBEZ. Follow her on X @WBEZeducation And @sskedreporter.