Parents in Matteson, Illinois, are urging the vice president of their local school board to step down following his involvement in a violent incident.
Carl Scott Sr., who previously served as the police chief in Robbins, resigned from that position after a video surfaced showing him striking a man in front of fellow officers.
Scott is now addressing the demands from parents who want him to resign from his role on the Matteson school board.
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Despite stepping down from his police chief role over a year ago due to the recorded altercation, Scott faces renewed pressure in his current position on the school board, with parents calling for his resignation. However, Scott remains firm in his decision to stay.
“That video showed violence is the answer,” said concerned parent Catherine Miles, highlighting the community’s unease.
The video of Scott hitting a man while serving as the Robbins police chief has sparked significant concern among parents, leading to calls for his resignation during a District 159 school board meeting in Matteson, where he now serves as the Vice-President.
“I’ve accepted my accountability whether I felt it was right or wrong,” Scott said.
“He’s just not a role model for our children, and I think it send a very damaging message to our children,” Miles said.
The altercation happened July 1, 2024 inside of the Robbins police station. Video showed Scott beating and shoving a man who was filming at the Robbins police station.
Scott later resigned as police chief, and, in August, pleaded guilty to battery.
“That person makes a living out of trying to get a rise out of people like you and me, and it’s very sad that that’s the type of community we are in,” Scott said.
“I’m hoping that they will make the decision to remove him as a role model and from the board,” Miles said. “If not, I will gather the community to demand that he is removed from the board.”
While school leaders did not directly respond to the concerns brought up, they did assure parents will have a response within five business days.
Scott, on the other hand, pointed to his decades in law enforcement, serving the community, and told ABC7 if he’s asked by the school board to step down, he will fight to keep his position.
