From Chicago Sun-Times · · 4m
Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over 2018 CPS firing as she runs for board president
Chicago School Board member Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over 2018 CPS firing as she runs for board president.
In brief
Chicago School Board member Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over 2018 CPS firing as she runs for board president. Chicago School Board member Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over her 2018 firing from CPS after being accused of manipulating attendance data, but she has been cleared to work for the district after her Do Not…
Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny
Chicago School Board member Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over her 2018 firing from CPS as she runs for board president.
“Jessica Biggs was fired from her job as principal of Burke Elementary and put on the Chicago Public Schools’ Do Not Hire list in 2018.”
2018 CPS firing details
Biggs was fired from her job as principal of Burke Elementary and put on the Chicago Public Schools’ Do Not Hire list in 2018.
“Biggs was fired from her job as principal of Burke Elementary and put on the Chicago Public Schools’ Do Not Hire list in 2018.”
Opponents highlight firing
All three opponents in the race to lead the 21-member school board have highlighted her dismissal, arguing it’s disqualifying.
“All three opponents in the race to lead the 21-member school board have highlighted her dismissal, arguing it’s disqualifying.”
Opponent claims
Candidate Sendhil Revuluri said the investigation found a deliberate, multi-year scheme to falsify attendance data to game her school’s rating.
“Candidate Sendhil Revuluri said the investigation found a deliberate, multi-year scheme to falsify attendance data to game her school’s rating.”
Quid pro quo allegation
Opponents have also questioned whether Biggs’ removal from the do-not-hire list last summer involved a quid pro quo with schools Supt. Macquline King.
“Opponents have also questioned whether Biggs’ removal from the do-not-hire list last summer involved a quid pro quo with schools Supt. Macquline King.”
Inspector general report
A Chalkbeat and WBEZ review of the 2018 district inspector general’s report, CPS data and all available court records show a more nuanced picture.
“A Chalkbeat and WBEZ review of the 2018 district inspector general’s report, CPS data and all available court records show a more nuanced picture.”
Attendance data issues
At Biggs’ direction, Burke staff improperly marked students tardy when they arrived late enough that they should have been flagged as absent for half the day.
“At Biggs’ direction, Burke staff improperly marked students tardy when they arrived late enough that they should have been flagged as absent for half the day.”
Attendance improvement
An uptick in the school’s attendance rate under Biggs helped improve a high-stakes rating given to the school at the time.
“An uptick in the school’s attendance rate under Biggs helped improve a high-stakes rating given to the school at the time.”
Report findings
The inspector general’s report does not lay out a full-blown conspiracy to cheat, and it’s hard to say how much of the attendance bump came from mislabeling students versus a concerted effort to get kids to school.
“The inspector general’s report does not lay out a full-blown conspiracy to cheat, and it’s hard to say how much of the attendance bump came from mislabeling students versus a concerted effort to get kids to school.”
Recommendation
The watchdog recommended that Biggs be disciplined, but did not suggest she be fired.
“The watchdog recommended that Biggs be disciplined, but did not suggest she be fired.”
Biggs’ response
Biggs says she’s proud she was able to get off the school district’s Do Not Hire list, but opponents have raised questions about how she did it after previous denials.
“Biggs says she’s proud she was able to get off the school district’s Do Not Hire list, but opponents have raised questions about how she did it after previous denials.”
Timeline of removal
The timeline of Biggs’ removal from the Do Not Hire list does not support the quid pro quo allegation, but there are unanswered questions about how she got off the list after a previous request was denied citing serious findings in the inspector general’s report.
“The timeline of Biggs’ removal from the Do Not Hire list does not support the quid pro quo allegation, but there are unanswered questions about how she got off the list after a previous request was denied citing serious findings in the inspector general’s report.”
Biggs’ timeline
The reversal came eight months after Biggs started serving on the school board.
“The reversal came eight months after Biggs started serving on the school board.”
Biggs’ defense
At a WTTW forum last week, Jessica Biggs described allegations in a report by the Chicago Public Schools’ inspector general as have been around minor bureaucratic issues.
“At a WTTW forum last week, Jessica Biggs described allegations in a report by the Chicago Public Schools’ inspector general as have been around minor bureaucratic issues.”
Biggs’ claim
Biggs said she was proud the Do Not Hire designation was removed.
“Biggs said she was proud the Do Not Hire designation was removed.”
Biggs’ background
Biggs took the helm at Burke Elementary in Washington Park in 2012 at a particularly contentious time.
“Biggs took the helm at Burke Elementary in Washington Park in 2012 at a particularly contentious time.”
School challenges
In her first year, Burke, serving about 270 mostly Black and low-income students, was on a list of 129 schools facing closure.
“In her first year, Burke, serving about 270 mostly Black and low-income students, was on a list of 129 schools facing closure.”
Attendance complaints
During the 2016-17 school year, a staffer complained to the district’s internal watchdog that Biggs was directing the attendance clerk to misrepresent attendance data and sent staff to pick up students in their personal vehicles without getting written permission from parents.
“During the 2016-17 school year, a staffer complained to the district’s internal watchdog that Biggs was directing the attendance clerk to misrepresent attendance data and sent staff to pick up students in their personal vehicles without getting written permission from parents.”
Investigation findings
The inspector general’s office substantiated the complaint after interviewing teachers, clerks and other staff.
“The inspector general’s office substantiated the complaint after interviewing teachers, clerks and other staff.”
Attendance impact
Burke’s assistant principal told the watchdog that even a student who arrived 30 minutes before the end of the school day might still be marked tardy instead of absent.
“Burke’s assistant principal told the watchdog that even a student who arrived 30 minutes before the end of the school day might still be marked tardy instead of absent.”
In short
Chicago School Board member Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny over her 2018 firing from CPS after being accused of manipulating attendance data, but she has been cleared to work for the district after her Do Not Hire list removal.
