Mayor Johnson Announces Chicago Board of Education President, 5 Other Appointees
New School Board President and Appointees
On Monday night, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a new round of appointments to the Chicago Board of Education. The new School Board President is Sean Harden, the former Deputy CEO of Chicago Public Schools.
Joining Harden on the board are Anusha Thotakura, Ed Bannon, Karen Zaccor, Norma Rios-Sierra, and Pastor Emma Lozano. Notably, Zaccor, a retired teacher and founder of Uplift High School Sustainable Community School, lost the race in District 4 for the elected seat.
Existing Board Members
The new appointees join Debby Pope, Michilla Blaise, and Frank Thomas, who were previously appointed to the board. Reports indicate that an 11th appointee is being vetted, with Monday night being the deadline to fill the 11 seats.
Chicago Teachers Union Statement
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) released a statement regarding the mayor’s latest appointees:
For decades, the education justice movement in this city has been laser-focused on ensuring every student has access to a high-quality neighborhood public school. Today’s appointments by Mayor Johnson that will culminate in the seating of Chicago’s first democratically elected Board of Education is a significant achievement and component in our fight forward to ensure good neighborhood public schools for all students in this city, no matter their ZIP code.
The appointment of these members, many of them advocates for justice and public education, coupled with the election of champions like Aaron “Jitu” Brown, will usher in a new era of collaboration for our school communities and doing what’s right for our students, their families.
As educators, we know firsthand how vital collaboration is in improving the lives of our students, neighborhoods, and Chicago. With a democratically elected school board now coming online and being a new voice in the choir for good public schools, we can turn the page for this city and its students, implement the five-year CPS Strategic Plan, and ensure more well-resourced schools throughout this city.
Coming after years of destabilizing struggle that included school closures, layoffs, disinvestment, and the degradation of the city’s public school classrooms, the newly established school board will allow our great city to transform our public schools, uplift the voices of our most vulnerable families, and ensure our students have the high-quality school day that they deserve.
Conclusion
The appointment of these new board members marks a significant step towards a more collaborative and equitable education system in Chicago. The Chicago Teachers Union looks forward to working with the new board to implement the five-year CPS Strategic Plan and ensure that every student has access to a high-quality neighborhood public school.
FAQs
* Who is the new School Board President?
Sean Harden, former Deputy CEO of Chicago Public Schools
* Who are the other appointees?
Anusha Thotakura, Ed Bannon, Karen Zaccor, Norma Rios-Sierra, and Pastor Emma Lozano
* How many members are on the board?
11, with an 11th appointee being vetted
* What is the deadline to fill the 11 seats?
Monday night
