CHICAGO (CBS) — A beloved school principal is taking action against the Chicago Public Schools, and he says the particular high school wrongfully let him go.
As time passed, Shohn Williams, the former dean of students at Lindblom Math and Science Academy in West Englewood, says his shooting still hurts.
“Why? And that’s the question I’d like the answer to,” Williams said, “because for 18 years I’ve done everything the right way.”
Still, Williams is no longer employed by the Chicago Public Schools — and he hopes to clarify why through a federal lawsuit against CPS.
“All of my evaluations were ‘distinguished’ or ‘competent,’” Williams said. “How does that happen? How?”
The lawsuit centers on two claims: violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act for retaliation, and common law relief.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Williams was physically assaulted by a third party during a basketball game on CPS grounds on February 7, causing significant injuries.
Williams soon went on medical leave with the family.
“[Williams] disclosed information to a law enforcement agency when filing a report regarding the physical assault that occurred during the Chicago Public Schools basketball game,” the lawsuit states.
During that time, Williams’ attorney said CPS was forced to improve security at the school where the attack occurred — and that led to CPS spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to install cameras.
Lawyer Chiquita Hall-Jackson claimed the CPS’s reasoning must have been: “He was on our property, we’ve now had to take all these actions, and in return we’ve had the first opportunity to get rid of him.”
The lawsuit stated that CPS “took retaliatory action against Mr. Williams.” On his first day back, he remembers being called into the office.
“When I returned, I was greeted by our safety and security officer and District 7 police,” Williams said.
Over the summer, teachers and students at Lindblom, 6130 S. Wolcott Ave., gathered outside the Englewood school. They expressed outrage that the beloved dean suddenly lost his job.
In 2019, CPS even retired Williams’ high school jersey because he was the all-time leading scorer. The Illinois Judicial Council also awarded Williams for Mentoring Young Boys.
“I felt humiliated,” Williams said. “I didn’t think my career should end like this.”
He added that he believes the goal was to ensure his academic career is over.
“I think that ended my teaching career,” Williams said. “I think this was an attack to permanently end my career.”
That’s why Williams is now fighting in court to make sure this isn’t the end of the story.
Jermont Terry
