Suburban Chicago high school superintendent placed on leave over handling of scandal
BENSENVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- The superintendent of Fenton Community High School District 100 in Bensenville has been placed on administrative leave, in the wake of sexual abuse allegations against a staff member.
School District Supt. James Ongtengco was placed on leave at a district board of education meeting Friday evening. Parents, students, and staff showed up at the meeting after many called for him to step down.
The underlying concerns an ex-staff member at Fenton High School accused of having inappropriate relationships with students dating back over a decade.
Following a closed session, the board voted to place Ongtengco on leave, and appoint Fenton High School Principal Samuel Bentsen in the role in the interim.
When it came time for public comment, the decision was made with pushback.
"While the superintendent stepping down may be a step in the right direction, it is not enough," said student Sara Guerrero. "You must be transparent about your plans to investigate this situation further."
Many called for an external investigation of the allegations.
"We are asking you to pause - not shift power to new people and impede a process, but instead of create a process of transparency, openness, so that trust can start to be rebuilt," a man said.
The board members then broke their silence on the matter.
"This decision required careful consideration to address the situation that has weighed heavily on our hearts and minds," said Fenton Community High School District 100 Board President Cary Lewis.
"Let me assure you we are all sickened and gutted by the allegations made against the former staff member," said Board Vice President Juliet Rago.
The acting superintendent vowed to stand by his students.
"My priority is maintaining positive learning environment – even through this most difficult situation," said Bentsen.
Earlier this month, police documents on the former staff member were leaked on social media, laying out sexual abuse allegations between a high school teacher and students. The staff member was first on administrative leave after the document was leaked, and has since been fired.
Last week, the school district board held a meeting that became heated – as the crowd confronted the board on why it took them so long to fire the staff member.
Bensenville Village President Frank DeSimone then issued a letter calling for the resignation of Supt. Ongtengco, and anyone who knew of the allegations and failed to take action.
"My daughter attends Fenton High School," DeSimone said at a village board meeting this week. "We are both consumed and heartbroken over what we have learned."
Just this week, in an attempt to disclose what the board knew, a new timeline by Ongtengco was issued detailing all the tips they received involving the staffer – and how they were handled.
Those accusations are now known to date back to 2011 – during which time the employee received a disciplinary letter for allegedly sending inappropriate text messages to a student in their class.
When asked how long Supt. Ongtengco would be placed on leave, the board president said it is a human resources issue – and details on it will not be disclosed.
The ex-staffer accused in this case has not been charged with a crime.