Chicago schools suspend contract with company under probe

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CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Public Schools is suspending its roughly $20 million contract with a suburban company under federal investigation.

In a letter Tuesday, interim schools CEO Jesse Ruiz gave SUPES Academy 30-day notice as required by its agreement.

School officials disclosed the probe earlier this month.

Federal investigators have asked for records related to the district's contract with the company that provides principal training, along with documents from district CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and three other employees. Byrd-Bennett announced last week that she is taking paid leave so the investigation doesn't become a distraction.

Byrd-Bennett consulted for the Wilmette-based SUPES Academy before being named head of the nation's third-largest school district in 2012.

SUPES spokesman Dennis Culloton says the company is disappointed the contract is being suspending and officials there stand behind the training.