How many more sexual predators still are free to roam the halls of Chicago Public Schools?

That was the sickening — and urgent — question that many Chicago parents and students asked after the Tribune’s “Betrayed” series found that at least 72 CPS teachers, coaches, lunchroom aides, counselors, security officers and deans had been accused of sexually abusing students over the past decade. Several of those accused had criminal backgrounds that should have disqualified them from working with students — one had felony drug convictions, another was convicted of a sexual crime involving a child after he was hired.

No wonder Chicagoans demanded to know: How many more cases had CPS officials overlooked or ignored or bungled? How many more children were at risk of attack in schools? In response to the series, CPS launched a series of reforms, including a massive effort to recheck the criminal and child-welfare histories of its nearly 44,000 employees. That is nearly finished.

Credit CPS for moving quickly to complete the background checks. It has been an impressive and expensive — up to $3 million budgeted — effort. But Chicagoans should breathe easier now. The results so far: The district reports that more than 350 of its employees currently are barred from working in schools. Background results on some of those employees are pending. In addition, the district says it will seek to fire three teachers, two aides, one central-office worker and seven custodial vendors who apparently failed the background check.

The district also still is scrutinizing the background results of more than 1,800 vendors, including custodians and nurses who work as contractors. So far, about 88 percent of CPS vendors hae been cleared, the district reports.

the actual number of those who won’t be back in the schools may still be in the dozens. Those are people who never should have been allowed in CPS buildings. A single predator can devastate not just one schoolchild, but many others over the years. Completing these background checks is a major step to keeping Chicago’s 371,000 schoolchildren safe. The district also has moved forcefully to create new offices and overhaul protocols to protect children. There will be more training for those who come in contact with students. CPS also wisely has committed to rechecking background information about all employees on a periodic basis. Still on CPS’ to-do list: Develop a reliable system so law enforcement agencies can flag meaningful information about CPS employees. The “Betrayed” series found that some district employees had been arrested for sex crimes after being hired, when they were already serving in schools. The district needs to know about its employees’ relevant legal problems in near real time, not months or years later. CPS has a vital duty to protect its children. That responsibility is shared by every adult who comes in contact with a child. Every day.

no wonder Rahm isn't running again!!!!!!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/editorial-after-the-sex-abuse-scandal-scrubbing-cps-to-make-children-safer/ar-AAAAXln http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-chicago-schools-background-checks-20180924-story.html