CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A pair of all-male charter schools on Chicago's South Side, long praised for their success in helping Black students graduate and succeed in college, had their charter revoked Wednesday by the Board of Education following a scathing report from the Chicago Public Schools Inspector General.
Several supporters of the Urban Prep academies in Englewood and Brownsville pleaded with the board to keep them open. Among them were students who said Urban Prep provided a unique opportunity for black teens to make college a reality and that it helped "young black men who are in need of a good example of what a black man is and what (they) can be."
However, Board member Elizabeth Todd-Breland said accusations that urban prep's founder Tim King sexually abused a student and how the school's board dealt with it were inexcusable. She said the board did not act after seeing the IG report.
Todd-Breland criticized the charter's leadership for allowing King to continue to associate with students -- after being credibly accused of sexual assault.
"This official continued to engage with students after they were barred from including being at and participating in graduation."
Board of Education members also cited findings from the IG that Urban Prep faced financial turmoil, mismanagement and lack of certified teachers even though the school's leaders insist those issues happened years ago and have been resolved.
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