Jessica Biggs faces scrutiny in Chicago school board race

Jessica Biggs, a current Chicago school board member, is facing scrutiny as she campaigns for the position of the first elected president of the 21-member Chicago Public Schools board. Her candidacy has been challenged by opponents due to her 2018 dismissal as principal of Burke Elementary.

Biggs maintains she was unfairly terminated following an internal investigation after criticizing district practices. However, opponents, including candidate Sendhil Revuluri, allege the investigation revealed a scheme to falsify attendance data to improve the school’s ratings. Investigations into district records indicate that under Biggs’ direction, staff improperly marked students as tardy rather than absent to boost attendance rates.

Additionally, critics have raised questions regarding Biggs’ recent removal from the district’s ‘Do Not Hire’ list, suggesting a potential quid pro quo with Superintendent Macquline King, a claim both women have denied.