Suburban Chicago village president: High school sex abuse claims will not be swept under rug
BENSENVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- A high school divided by scandal and controversy may be the focus of a Bensenville Village Board meeting Tuesday night.
At the center of the allegations is an ex-staff member at Fenton High School accused of having inappropriate relationships with students dating back over a decade.
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.
On Tuesday night, students and parents showed up at the Bensenville Village Board meeting to express their concerns about the Fenton Community High School District 100 Board.
Village President Frank DeSimone was in attendance at the village board meeting.
"My daughter attends Fenton High School," DeSimone said at the meeting. "We are both consumed and heartbroken over what we have learned."
He has issued a letter calling for the resignation of Supt. Ongtengco, and anyone who knew of the allegations and failed to take action.
"I have not received a response from that letter yet," DeSimone said.
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.
"I have not received a response from that letter yet," DeSimone said.
Just this week, in an attempt to disclose what the board knew, a new timeline by School District Supt. James 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.
"A predator should not have been allowed to walk amongst students for 12 years after the first allegation," said Fenton High School student Billy Camp.
"The issue will be swept under the rug," DeSimone said. "I will not stand for that."