The acting inspector general of Chicago Public Schools on Wednesday released a new report showing the school system has spent more than $390,000 employing sports officials on its “do not hire” list.

The report summarizes investigations conducted between July 2023 and June 2024. The report is released annually by the IG’s office.

These hires, the report reads, were made by relying on the Illinois High School Association’s criminal background check system. This process, however, is “less thorough” than the school system’s standard background checks, according to the inspector general.

A total of 36 former CPS employees on the district’s “do not hire” list were made sports officials, the report says. At least eight of the individuals had been investigated for sexual misconduct with students, while one had a felony kidnapping conviction, according to the report.

Interim Inspector General Amber Nesbitt recommended CPS immediately make its onboarding process comply with its policies. The report noted each individual identified had been blocked from officiating any future events.

Each of CPS’s 1,752 active officials are now being subjected to a background check “refresh,” the document reads. All new sports officials hired will be subject to a CPS background check.

The findings come as the Chicago education system continues to attract negative attention nationwide. Comedian Bill Maher in October slammed Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates for claiming standardized testing traces its roots back to white supremacy.

“And the idea that testing is rooted in white supremacy is in itself a racist belief that says Black children can’t compete with white children on tests, which they surely can,” Maher said on his show. “That line will get you an applause break from all sides.”

The report also follows the Chicago Board of Education voting late last month to fire without cause CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. Martinez will stay on the job until at least June and collect severance pay.

An area judge later granted Martinez a temporary restraining order against the board, ensuring the board cannot obstruct the CEO’s “performance of his job duties” in the meantime.

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