Chicago Public Schools is facing a lawsuit after a mother alleges her daughter endured racist bullying and sexual misconduct at Wildwood IB World Magnet School. Sher'Ron Hinton claims that her 13-year-old daughter, referred to as "Jenny" to protect her identity, experienced extreme bullying while at the school from fifth through seventh grade. The suit, which targets the Chicago Board of Education and specific school staff, accuses staff of "willful and wanton conduct" and negligence in their handling of the incidents. In a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, attorney Jamaal Buchanan of the Disparti Law Group shared that the young girl was the only Black student in her grade and was bullied by her peers with racist remarks and threats of violence.
The lawsuit paints a grim picture of a system that failed to protect a vulnerable student, even after multiple documented instances of harassment. "My daughter didn't just fall through cracks — she was placed in them," Hinton told CBS News Chicago. The complaint also details incidents in which fellow students allegedly used school computers to call Jenny racial slurs, and a physical education student teacher is accused of sexual abuse. Moreover, despite school policies requiring parental notification of bullying within a day, Hinton claims she was left in the dark about the severity of the situation.
The ramifications of the bullying have led to a PTSD diagnosis for Jenny, whose mother is seeking not only monetary damages but also systemic changes within CPS. These proposed reforms include an office dedicated to bullying and immediate notification for parents when a student undergoes a suicidal ideation assessment, which, according to attorneys from the Disparti Law Group, was done three times for Jenny without her mother being informed. "They saw the signs, they had the reports, and still they did nothing," Hinton stated, as reported by CBS News Chicago.
In response to the allegations, a CPS spokesperson stated, "Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is committed to the safety and well-being of our students." However, the spokesperson also noted that the district does not comment on pending litigation. Meanwhile, the case highlights a reported strain on the Office of Student Protections, which, as per the Chicago Sun Times, oversees thousands of reports each year, with only a fraction being fully investigated. Despite these challenges, the lawsuit aims to hold those responsible accountable and catalyze lasting change in the district's handling of harassment and bullying allegations.
