Chicago School Watchdog On Federal Indictment: Told You So
(CBS) – Wendy Katten says she's not surprised at the federal indictment of Barbara Byrd Bennett, the former head of the Chicago Public Schools administration.
"I find it appalling -- but not surprising," Katten tells CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker.
Katten, who leads the parent advocacy group Raise Your Hand, had raised objections to the Supes Leadership Academy contract that got Bennett in trouble with the feds.
"My group had testified at numerous board meetings because it was a no-bid contract," Katten says.
The school board approved the contract to offer training to CPS principals shortly after announcing it was closing dozens of schools.
"We were truly horrified when 50 schools closed, neighborhood school budges were slashed, and this contract was given to a sketchy operator for $20 million," Katten says.
Bryd Bennett was appointed to the district's highest office by the mayor in 2012. In response to news of her indictment, the mayor said he was "saddened and disappointed."
There was similar reaction from the head of Chicago Teachers Union, Karen Lewis. "The circumstances surrounding the indictment of the former CEO are unfortunate and mark a sad day for the leadership of our district," she said in a prepared statement.
The district's current CEO promises improvements.
"I've put in legal and financial controls ... but there's no silver bullet for integrity," Forrest Claypool says.
Parent group say they hope the indictment of Bryd-Bennett prompts school board members to listen to parents when they raise concerns about an issue.
Byrd-Bennett is expected to plead guilty.
CBS 2 reached out to some of the current and former school board members. Andrea Zopp issued this statement that said, in part: "As a former board member, this is shocking to me on a personal and professional level because I believed that we shared the same agenda."
