Matteson Principal Resigns After District Learns Of Prior Sexual Misconduct Finding At CPS
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An elementary school principal in south-suburban Matteson has resigned after the district learned he had previously left a job as a Chicago Public Schools principal after an inspector general's investigation found evidence of sexual misconduct.
In a letter to parents, Matteson Elementary School District 159 Superintendent Dr. Mable Alfred said CPS had not initially disclosed the information when District 159 hired Cedric Nolen for the position of principal at Colin Powell Middle School in July.
Alfred said they weren't contacted by CPS until Sept. 6, several weeks into the school year.
However, Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman Emily Bolton said District 159 never requested a reference check for Nolen.
"Chicago Public Schools took immediate action to suspend and investigate an employee who was accused of very serious misconduct, which resulted in the employee's resignation during the investigation, a 'Do Not Hire' designation on the employee's file, and notification to ISBE. Other school districts routinely contact CPS as part of reference checks, and we provide them information about substantiated misconduct. In this instance, no such request was made."
A copy of a May 6 "executive memo" obtained by CBS 2 shows that Nolen was the subject of a CPS Office of the Inspector General investigation.
"Evidence supports a finding of sexual misconduct against former Parkside Elementary Community Academy Principal Cedric Nolen," the report reads.
The report says the allegations were corroborated by several other individuals, as well as by text messages and video calls.
Nolen declined to answer any questions when interviewed, and he resigned from his position as principal on April 18. The OIG recommended that a "Do Not Hire" designation be placed on his personnel file.
It's still unclear why the report was not forwarded to District 159 in July.
Alfred said the fingerprint-based background check of Nolen completed prior his employment did not flag any information about misconduct.
Sources said CPS reached out to Alfred after learning Nolen had been hired, to express concerns about his employment as a principal at District 159 in the wake of the OIG findings.
"The board really dropped the ball on this one," a concerned parent said.
"All they had to do was make one phone call to check the reference at his last school," another concerned parent said.
Officials will address parents at a board meeting Wednesday night. Parents say they plan to demand accountability.
This is a developing story; CBS 2's Megan Hickey will have updates throughout the day.
