Fenton High School superintendent placed on leave following special board meeting
BENSENVILLE, Ill. — It was a packed crowd at a special board meeting at Fenton High School in Bensenville on Friday night as parents continued their demands for an outside investigation after a teacher was fired for alleged sexual misconduct.
During Friday’s meeting, board members placed Superintendent James Ongtengco on administrative leave and appointed Fenton High School Principal Samuel Bentsen as interim superintendent.
“Our main concern is the safety of the students,” parent Julia Styrczula said.
Friday’s decision comes after a number of tense meetings centered around a former Fenton High School teacher who was fired last week, following months of paid leave, due to sexual misconduct allegations dating back over a decade.
Read more: Latest Chicago news headline
Many upset parents are now demanding an outside investigation and the removal of any administrators familiar with the accusations.
“In a normal situation like this they normally put people on leave, investigate what’s going on, what went wrong, and obviously, if the person did what they are supposed to, you put them back in their position,” Styrczula said.
Bensenville Village President Frank Desimone issued a letter on Friday that said he felt the need for outside oversight too.
Former Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke wins Democratic primary in Chicago-area prosecutor’s race
“At this point in time, there are simply too many questions left unanswered and it remains unclear who knew about these allegations, when they knew and why they chose to do nothing,” Desimone said.
Public comments took place at the end of the meeting.
“I just really hope you know that a board member will step up and do the right thing and make a motion to adjust and amend the agenda to move public comment from the end of the meeting to the front so we can be heard before going into closed session,” parent Joshua Dakins said.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
