A Taft High School staff member has been removed from the Northwest Side campus after an allegation of inappropriate behavior involving students, according to school officials. The move is described as an administrative step while a district investigation gets underway, and families were notified by the principal with instructions on how to report concerns or ask questions.
Investigation Underway
According to WGNTV, Principal Ryan Glowacz told the school community in a message that the staffer has been taken off campus and that the Office of the Inspector General has opened an investigation. The principal wrote that the staff member can return only if the OIG determines that is appropriate. WGNTV first reported the principal’s note on Monday.
School Response And Contacts
Taft’s official profile on the Chicago Public Schools website lists Ryan Glowacz as the school’s principal and includes main office contact information for families. As provided there, Glowacz can be reached at [email protected] and the school’s main line is (773) 534-1000. School officials have encouraged anyone with information or concerns to reach out directly to building leadership.
District Reporting Options
Parents and community members are reminded that alleged incidents can also be reported to the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Protections and Title IX for review and support. Per CPS, the Office of Student Protections and Title IX can be reached at 773-535-4400 or [email protected] for complaints and guidance. That office coordinates Title IX inquiries and other student-protection matters with district investigators.
Why Parents Are On Edge
Taft is one of the district’s largest high schools, and families have in recent years pushed for clearer communication about safety concerns. Hundreds of students staged a walkout in 2023 citing safety issues and alleged misconduct, according to Block Club Chicago. That backdrop has left some families especially sensitive to new reports and calling for transparent, timely updates. School leaders say they are working to balance student privacy with the need to keep the community informed while the OIG review continues.
Legal And Administrative Process
The principal’s note, as summarized by WGNTV, explained that the staff member could be reinstated only if the OIG finds that appropriate, reflecting the district’s administrative procedures in personnel cases. The Office of the Inspector General describes itself as an independent oversight body that investigates allegations of employee misconduct and operates a Sexual Allegations Unit that handles complaints involving CPS-affiliated adults and students, per the OIG’s site. Parents should know that investigations involving staff and students can include multiple CPS departments and, depending on the findings, outside authorities.
What Parents Can Do
Parents with concerns were directed to contact the school principal, the Office of Student Protections and Title IX, or the district’s Student Safety Center for urgent issues. CPS lists the Student Safety Center as a 24/7 resource at 773-553-3335 for emergency incidents outside school hours. Families who believe a child is in immediate danger are advised to call 911 in addition to notifying school or district officials.
The OIG investigation remains ongoing, and district officials have declined to share additional details, citing student privacy. This story will be updated if the district or school releases further information.
