Chicago schools president's death ruled suicide

[November 17, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- An investigation into the death of Chicago's school board president will continue even though an autopsy concluded that the longtime civic leader shot himself in the head on a Chicago River embankment, police said.

Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott's body and a .380-caliber handgun were found near a riverside loading dock not far from his car about 3:15 a.m. Monday, police said. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a suicide, but police said an investigation was ongoing.

"It is simply too early for us to draw any conclusions," Police Superintendent Jody Weis told reporters Monday afternoon.

Chicago Public Schools, long plagued by youth violence, already was working to cope with the September beating death of a student in the street, which was caught on a cell phone camera. The district also faces a federal grand jury investigation into allegations of politically influenced admissions to Chicago's nine selective-enrollment high schools.

Authorities did not draw any connection Monday between the district's troubles and Scott's death.

Scott, 60, was last seen around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Weis said Scott's wife called it unusual for him not to return home before midnight. He was reported missing overnight.

Chicago Police were looking for security camera video and tracking the registration of the gun found with Scott, Weis said. He said investigators still were looking into whether Scott left a suicide note.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools before joining President Barack Obama's Cabinet, said Chicago "has lost a great leader."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson issued a statement in which he called Scott an "incredibly intelligent man" and his friend for "more than 25 years."

"I am shocked and stunned beyond belief," Jackson said.

Scott revealed in August that he'd been subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury in the admissions case. Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman launched the investigation in July after his office learned policies may have been violated. Scott said at the time that he had confidence in the selection process and others should, too.

Scott reacted to the street beating death of Fenger High School honor student Derrion Albert by convening a meeting with Mayor Richard Daley, students, parents and school officials. Obama sent Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder to the city to meet with Fenger students, parents and administrators.

Scott drew questions last summer about his service on the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee when he disclosed involvement with a group developing city-owned vacant lots near the site of a proposed Olympic venue. Scott, who also owned a real estate development company, broke ties with the group. City bid officials said Scott should have disclosed his involvement earlier, while saying he wasn't profiting from the deal.

Scott grew up in the city's Lawndale neighborhood, attended Chicago Public Schools and was appointed to the school board three times. He also had served as Chicago Park District Board president.

He graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor's degree in urban planning. In his early career, he rehabbed housing units and built a senior citizen center and a nursing home. He also helped establish the Community Bank of Lawndale.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., called Scott "a personal friend" and "an outstanding public servant, a champion for the little guy and a remarkable example of excellence."

[Associated Press; By CARLA K. JOHNSON]

Associated Press writer Karen Hawkins contributed to this report.

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