Vote, Chicagoans, in City’s First School Board Election
Why It Matters
School board elections are generally the sleepiest of contests, with turnout as low as the single digits — the national average is 5% to 10%, according to one estimate — and races that are often uncontested and decided by a small number of voters.
We hope Chicago can beat those odds, and holding school board elections at the same time as a high-interest presidential election is a good way to try to accomplish that. With so much at stake for Chicago Public Schools, every voter — not just parents and guardians — needs to get involved in choosing the best people to grapple with the many vexing problems facing CPS.
What’s at Stake
Among them: How can CPS close its budget deficit without decimating programs? How should CPS reinvigorate neighborhood schools while maintaining the charter and selective-enrollment schools that City Hall and the Chicago Teachers Union have been hostile to, but that thousands of students and families depend on? Will CPS eventually have to consider closing schools with very low enrollment? And while higher graduation and college acceptance rates are welcome news, what more can be done to better prepare young people to make it through college once they’re enrolled?
Getting Educated and Getting Involved
Early voting began Monday in the city’s 50 wards and continues until Nov. 4, with Election Day on Nov. 5. So if you’re among those who didn’t know school board elections are taking place, or you need information about candidates in your district, check out our Sun-Times/WBEZ/Chalkbeat Chicago school board voter guide at [chicago.suntimes.com/education/chicago-school-board](http://chicago.suntimes.com/education/chicago-school-board).
“The biggest thing is, a lot of parents don’t know about the elections,” said Blaire Flowers, chair of the Elected School Board Task Force for the education advocacy group KidsFirst Chicago, told us. “CPS isn’t encouraging [voting], letting people know about the election,” she said.
Wanted: Independence and Expertise
Full disclosure here: This editorial board was not a fan of creating a fully elected school board because of the politics that would inevitably emerge and because of the size of the new board: 21 members is simply too many compared to other major districts with elected boards.
But lawmakers gave Chicago what a lot of fully elected school board advocates, including many parents, wanted. Now it’s up to the city to make the transition work to make schools better for kids. If not — well, Chicago will see continued dysfunction and turmoil, more of what we’ve seen already in the political battle between Mayor Brandon Johnson and his CTU allies vs. schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
Parents “want to be heard. They don’t care about politics, about the mayor and Martinez,” Flowers says. “They care about the buses being taken away, the high schools that don’t have extracurricular activities, the quality of teachers, about [school] buildings falling apart around them.”
Candidates to Look Out For
In this election, voters will elect one board member from each of the city’s 10 school board districts. The mayor will appoint 10 more members, plus a board president. The new hybrid board will take their seats in January. In 2026, the board will be fully elected, with members taking their seats in 2027. (We hope lawmakers eventually amend the school board legislation to set aside some seats solely for parents on the fully elected board.)
It’s not easy to set the course for a big-city school district, but the job is exponentially harder when the district is headed for a fiscal meltdown, facing leadership uncertainty, and has an expensive teachers contract hanging in the balance. We urge voters to support candidates who have solid experience (as in, they’ve actually accomplished something significant) in education, finance or management; who are dedicated to the well-being of children and families, not to any political agenda; and who, most of all, won’t be afraid to speak up.
<h2:convertable stylesheet/text-align Not Only about Politics
Besides, every family, no matter what type of school their children attend — neighborhood, magnet, selective-enrollment or charter — deserves a voice in how CPS operates and what its future will look like.
Get Educated, Then Vote
In addition to a voter guide, the Sun-Times has a list of upcoming forums and links to videos of past forums here. Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
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Conclusion
We urge Chicagoans to get educated and involved in this election. With so much at stake for the school district, it’s crucial that voters choose candidates who will work towards making schools better for all children and families, not just a select few. By exercising your civic duty, you can help shape the future of our city’s schools and give every child the opportunity to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this election important?
A: This election is important because it will determine the future of Chicago Public Schools, and the type of education our children receive. With the hybrid school board, we have the opportunity to elect representatives who will advocate for our schools and our children.
Q: What are the key issues in this election?
A: The key issues in this election are the budget deficit, school reform, and the need for independent leadership on the school board. We need to appoint board members who are committed to the well-being of children and families, not just to any political agenda.
Q: How can I get involved in this election?
A: You can get involved by educating yourself on the issues, attending forums and debates, and voting in the election. You can also contact your local district and find out more about the candidates running in your area.
Q: What is the latest information on the election?
A: You can find the latest information on the election, including candidate information and voting locations, on the Chicago Public Schools website or by contacting your local district.
Q: How can I contact the school board?
A: You can contact the school board by visiting their website or by contacting your local district office. You can also attend school board meetings and public sessions to stay informed and provide input on school district issues.
