The Chicago school district also is paying out more than $100,000 to a special education teacher who says he lost his job after raising concerns about special ed staffing issues at the same Southwest Side high school.
Lauren FitzPatrick
Chicago Public Schools to Pay $4M in Special Ed Teen’s Drowning
Documents released after a judge lifts a publication ban against the BGA offer new details about failed oversight, warnings that were ignored and “mayhem” at high school pool on the Southwest Side in 2017.
Cook Judge Bars Publication of Documents About Student Drowning, Raising Free Press Concerns
After CPS lawyer provides BGA with internal records about drowning death of teen with autism, a Cook County judge issues order temporarily prohibiting publication. School district lawyers say they released the documents by mistake.
17 Months After Teen With Autism Drowned at CPS Pool, Board of Ed to Strengthen Water Safety
Following BGA/Sun-Times investigation into special ed care at pools, Chicago’s school board is set to take up policy changes that would limit pool activities and focus lifeguard staffing.
Autistic Teen’s Death In CPS Pool Heightens Questions Of Special Ed Care
Fourteen-year-old Rosario Gomez didn’t know how to swim, wasn’t wearing a lifejacket and had significant problems communicating. His drowning in a high school pool last winter fuels doubts about Chicago Public Schools’ ability to care for its special needs students.