After the chaos created by CPS at Lincoln Park High School last week when they removed the principal and assistant principal, several school leaders have reported to CPAA that CPS gave vague and contradictory information to principals regarding sexual misconduct procedures, policies, protocols, and student discipline.

CPAA is considering taking bold action on this issue. However, before we proceed we need to verify that the feedback we've gotten from this handful of school leaders is reflective of the majority. The comments below come from those school leaders. Do they reflect your experience?

"When the Office of Student Protections (OSP) looked into the processes at our school, they changed the rules several times, even within that one investigation. They don't have their procedures in line in a way that a school can actually support them."

"An investigator told me not to investigate or punish a student while OSP's investigation was taking place. Then later, after the investigation, they told me I should have disciplined the exact same student."

"Network chiefs are giving conflicting advice. They don't even know what the policy is. Some are saying that attendees at open events need to be background checked, and others are saying the opposite. There needs to be a clear and concise policy of which scenarios require a background check and which ones do not."

"If a principal called the law department instead of OSP, CPS calls that an infraction. Shouldn't they be talking to one another? How should I be cited for their failure to communicate with one another?"

"It's complete misinformation, and that's what scares the sh** out of all of us. We end up being the fall guy for the district's lack of communication. The vagueness allows them to have a catch-all to go after anybody they want to."

Is district leadership engaging in CYA politics by scapegoating principals for the district's failure to provide the coherent policies, support, and staffing needed to protect students? If what these principals describe is widespread, then it would be profoundly hypocritical for CPS to dole out harsh punishments for the confusion created by the district's own incoherence and inconsistency.

We will be sending you a survey later today to determine whether or not the comments of these principals reflect the views and experiences of a majority of school leaders. Please be on the lookout for the survey.