November 7, 2018 – Falsifying attendance records has led to the removal of the principal of Ogden International School of Chicago.

Dr. Michael Beyer was “reassigned from his principal duties” and is now on paid leave following an investigation by Chicago Public Schools.

According to a CPS Inspector General’s report, students who had too many unexcused absences, due to family vacations or visa issues, were marked as transferred to another district or to home schooling. When they returned to classes at Ogden, they were re-enrolled. The report said Beyer (left) had done this at least 75 times over the past three years, most likely to make the number of unexcused absences seem lower.

“CPS holds its school leaders to high standards for professional conduct and integrity,” said a CPS spokesperson. “Based on the facts of this case, the district is in agreement with the Inspector General’s assessment that removing Principal Beyer is appropriate and necessary.”

CPS notified parents of Ogden students of the decision in a letter on November 1.

Beyer had been Ogden’s principal since 2011 and oversaw a rocky but successful merger between Ogden School, which had students from upper-income families but was overcrowded, and Jenner Academy of the Arts, serving lower-income families from the Cabrini-Green area.

He has been replaced, at least temporarily, by Rebecca Bancroft, assistant principal at Back of the Yards High School, located about six miles southwest of the Loop.