More Allegations Of Sexual Abuse From The Early Days Of KIPP NYC

[Note: This post draws from an interview I conducted with an anonymous source who identifies as a KIPP alum from the late 1990s. I consider this person credible based on the evidence they provided. Additionally, the post relies on publicly available legal documents supplied by the same anonymous source. (https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/Login) It’s important to note that I am not a lawyer or, technically, a journalist and that my access to legal documents related to these cases may be limited. I welcome input from anyone, including KIPP officials, former KIPP students, or readers who have researched the cases, to provide additional context if needed.]

Jesus Concepcion, a convicted pedophile and sexual abuser, is currently incarcerated for multiple incidents of abuse involving middle school students at KIPP Academy Middle School in New York City between 2000 and 2007, during his tenure as the orchestra teacher there. His sentencing is currently pending.

Until recently, I had only heard about this disturbing case in passing, choosing not to delve into its specifics, assuming that the judicial system would thoroughly investigate any potential involvement of the school or others implicated.

However, a few days ago, I received an email from an anonymous individual claiming to be a KIPP alum from the late 1990s, shedding light on an unreported aspect of the scandal. According to this source, there are allegations involving another former orchestra teacher, Charles Randall, preceding Concepcion. Randall started the KIPP orchestra program and was the leader from 1995 until 2000.  According to a New York Times profile from 2001, Randall was actually Concepcion’s music teacher back when Concepcion was in 6th grade.

There seem to be three pending cases in the South Bronx involving KIPP Academy.  The legal case that led to Concepcion’s imprisonment was identified as Jane Doe One v KIPP Academy Charter School. While I lack legal expertise, additional documents implicate Randall for similar offenses against Jane Doe 2 and 3 vs KIPP Academy. Notably, these latter cases were redirected to the New York Department of Education due to the timeframe predating KIPP’s official charter approval.

The source, claiming to have firsthand knowledge, alleges that multiple witnesses, including numerous KIPP teachers and leaders, observed Charles Randall’s misconduct but did not report the egregious behavior exhibited by both Randall and Jesus Concepcion.

One account from the source states, “Randall would frequently arrive at school intoxicated. He kept a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black in the orchestra room and even offered us shots.” Additionally, the source mentioned, “He would often make sexually suggestive remarks about our bodies, accompanied by licking his lips, and the teachers witnessed this behavior but never intervened. It seemed as though no one cared until he began harassing the teachers. It was only then that he was eventually removed from KIPP Academy and reassigned to a national position.”

Charles Randall left his Orchestra leader position at KIPP Academy in 2000 and was placed in a new position where he interacted with a larger number of children within the KIPP network to establish music programs at newly established KIPP schools. The music program at KIPP gained significant attention and funding for the organization. Part of Randall’s new position also included him visiting KIPP alumni at their high schools or at college. My source says that they were visited by Randall at college.

Despite Randall’s inclusion in subsequent lawsuits against the New York City Department of Education, my source asserts with certainty that any pursuit of justice for Randall is now impossible, as he reportedly passed away at his Florida residence roughly two months ago.