A candidate running for reelection in a heated Chicago School Board race was suspended from his job at a charter school in 2018 after an investigation by the charter school operator found he became intoxicated at a work event and acted inappropriately with a co-worker, according to a letter obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The letter, sent to Carlos Rivas Jr. by the Noble Network of Charter Schools in September 2018, says an internal investigation found that Rivas engaged in “unwanted touching of another employee without consent” in violation of Noble’s harassment policy during an event at The Robey Chicago hotel in August 2018.
Rivas was intoxicated “to the extent that, by his own admission” he could not deny the allegations due to “an inability to remember” what happened that evening, according to the letter. Rivas was an alumni support and external affairs manager at UIC College Prep at the time.
The 2018 investigation and its findings are surfacing less than a week before voters head to the polls on Nov. 3 and elect all 21 members of the school board for the first time.
Rivas, who represents the Northwest Side District 3b, is trying to fend off challenger Jason Dónes, who is backed by the Chicago Teachers Union. Our Schools, a political action committee funded by the CTU, is distributing mailers highlighting the investigation and urging voters to oppose Rivas. The group has spent about $20,000 supporting Dónes’ candidacy as of the end of September.
Rivas said it was “disappointing” to see the issue resurface so close to the election.
“This was eight years ago, during an incredibly difficult period while caring for my mother, who was suffering from end-stage renal failure and dementia,” Rivas said in a statement. “I took responsibility, received support through Noble’s Employee Assistance program, and continued serving students and families at Noble for another four years.
“That experience is part of why I’ve championed mental health support for school employees on the board of education,” Rivas continued. “I believe in accountability, growth and second chances. I’m proud of my record and remain focused on the students and families of District 3b.”
According to the 2018 letter, Noble had previously warned Rivas about getting intoxicated at work-related events.
Rivas agreed to stipulations for “one last chance” to continue working at the charter school, the letter states. That included a 10-day suspension without pay, abstaining from “intoxicating substances” while working or at work-related events and seeking counseling through the charter operator’s employee assistance program.
“Failure to meet the terms of this agreement, to make improvement, or recurrence of any inappropriate behavior or conduct will result in immediate termination,” the letter states.
Rivas kept his position at Noble until 2022 when became public affairs director for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, a position he still holds. Noble didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Rivas ran for school board in 2024, where he also faced off against Dónes, and won with 54% of the vote. While on the board Rivas has taken a fiscally conservative approach to the school budget. He was one of six school board members who voted against passing a budget that included uncommitted revenue from the state.
In this year’s election, Rivas is supported by the Service Employees International Union Illinois State Council, which represents thousands of CPS school support staff. He is also endorsed by the Common Ground Collective, a political action committee that is heavily funded by billionaire Michael Sacks and has taken opposing stances to that of the CTU.
Both men grew up in Humboldt Park and identify as progressives.
Schools in District 3b are struggling with teacher and counselor shortages, higher property taxes and low enrollment amid rapid gentrification and neighborhood changes.
Contributing: Ariel Parrella-Aureli of Block Club Chicago