April 18--Chicago Public Schools Chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett has taken a leave of absence pending the outcome of a federal probe into a no-bid contract the district awarded to a company she once worked for.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office issued a statement saying he backs the move.
"Though there have been no formal allegations, the Mayor has zero tolerance for any type of misconduct from public officials and welcomes today's decision to help ensure this issue does not distract from the incredibly important work happening in our neighborhood public schools," the statement read.
While Byrd-Bennett is out, Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz will serve as interim CEO. Ruiz was among board members that in 2013 voted 6-0 to approve the $20.5 million no-bid contract to SUPES Academy that is at the heart of the federal probe.
Ruiz, an attorney and former chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, said he was ready "to take on the responsibility of managing and leading CPS forward at this time."
"This is a critical time for CPS," school board President David Vitale wrote in an internal message to district employees. "There are many challenges in front of us."
Subpoenas made public Friday show the sweeping scope of information investigators are after. Several CPS employees have been ordered to testify before a grand jury in the coming days.
Authorities are looking the district's contract with SUPES Academy and Byrd-Bennett, who before joining the district worked for the north suburban leadership training firm.
Byrd-Bennett's attorney, Michael Scudder, said she submitted a letter to Board of Education President David Vitale on Friday morning informing the board of her decision to take a leave.
"In light of the attention given to my position as chief executive officer of the Chicago Public Schools, I believe that my continuing as CEO at this time would be a distraction," Scudder quoted the letter as saying.
"Although this is a very difficult decision for me personally, it is one that I believe is in the best interests of the children of CPS that I am so fortunate to serve," added Scudder, a partner at the Skadden Arps firm who specializes in government enforcement and white collar crime.
Scudder said Byrd-Bennett's letter also said: "I remain deeply committed to the mission of CPS, but believe my taking a leave of absence under these circumstances best serves the interests of the children and the District."
The federal investigation was first revealed Wednesday in a CPS statement that said authorities have requested interviews with several district employees. Authorities have demanded a wide variety of records and documents related to SUPES Academy and other related entities.
James Bebley, attorney to the Chicago Board of Education, is to testify before a federal grand jury in Chicago on April 28. Sherry Ulery, Byrd-Bennett's chief of staff, has also been ordered to testify before a grand jury on April 21.
The initial investigation into the district's contract with SUPES Academy and Byrd-Bennett's relationship to the company was started in 2013 by the CPS Inspector General's office, a source told the Tribune. The U.S. Attorney's office then began its own probe and a grand jury has been reviewing evidence for at least a year, the source said.
The school board in June 2013 voted 6-0 to approve a "leadership development services" agreement with SUPES for up to $20.5 million that was to run from June 2013 to June 2016, according to CPS documents. District records show SUPES was hired on a "non-competitive basis" but the contract was reviewed and approved by an internal committee and the district's chief procurement officer, records show.
Ruiz and Vitale both served on the board at the time, and voted for the contract.
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