# School Board Candidate Defends Discipline

> Victor Henderson says school staff should never use corporal punishment.
- Title: School Board Candidate Defends Discipline · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Victor Henderson says school staff should never use corporal punishment. Victor Henderson, a Black Chicago School Board candidate, denies child abuse…
- Keywords: victor henderson, chicago school board, corporal punishment, school board president, child discipline, ex-wife allegations, custody dispute, black candidate, news, local, School, Board
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2026/09/22/school-board-president-candidate-victor-henderson-defends-disciplining-his-children-says-school-staff-should-never-use-corporal-punishment
- Published: 2026-09-22T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: victor henderson, chicago school board, corporal punishment, school board president, child discipline, ex-wife allegations, custody dispute, black candidate, news, local
## Victor Henderson
Victor Henderson is one of four candidates running for Chicago School Board president.
## Ex-wife's 2011 allegations
In 2011, Henderson's ex-wife alleged their son said Henderson hit him with a garden hoe, leaving scratches and bruises.
## Henderson denies abuse
Henderson denies ever abusing his children and says the court never suspended his parenting time or restricted his relationship with them.
## Court records show custody
Court records show Henderson resumed overnight, unsupervised visits with his children after the initial custody order.
## Opponent's criticism
Jessica Biggs, another school board candidate, said someone with a history of domestic violence should not lead schools.
## Corporal punishment in Illinois
Illinois bans corporal punishment in public schools but allows it in private schools, with 15 states permitting it in public schools.
## Henderson's distinction
Henderson says teachers should never use corporal punishment but parents may discipline their children.
## Campaign support
Henderson is supported by U.S. Reps. Danny K. Davis and Robin Kelly and pastors of major Black churches.
## Supporter's view
Henderson's supporters say the focus on his ex-wife's allegations is a racist smear campaign.
## Henderson's response
Henderson said he disciplined his children when they broke rules but never abused them, emphasizing cultural responsibility.
## Guardian ad litem
A guardian ad litem approved the boys' return to Henderson after investigating serious allegations.
## Henderson's legal work
Henderson represented parents in a 2023 lawsuit against a special education teacher accused of physical punishment.
## Opponent's stance
Henderson's opponent Jessica Biggs seized on the ex-wife's allegations as evidence of unfit leadership.
## Henderson's view
Henderson said revisiting this history is 'not enjoyable' but he will help children across Chicago regardless.
## Current race dynamics
The race for Chicago School Board president has $2.1 million in spending and is seen as a proxy for the mayoral election.
## What happens next
Henderson will focus on ensuring Chicago Public Schools policies are followed and fair investigations of allegations.
## Key takeaway

Victor Henderson, a Black Chicago School Board candidate, denies child abuse allegations but says teachers must never use physical punishment.