Mayor Names New Members to Complete CPS School Board
New Appointments and Retained Members
In a set of appointments that round out the new 21-member Chicago Board of Education, Mayor Brandon Johnson picked a group of mostly community organizers and activists and kept all but two of his current school board members.
The mayor’s 11 seats represent a majority of the school board and cement his strong influence over Chicago Public Schools (CPS) for the next two years. Johnson named 10 members on Monday and said an 11th is still being evaluated.
The New Board Members
The mayor’s appointees are led by new school board President Sean Harden, a consulting executive who worked as executive assistant to former Mayor Richard M. Daley in the mid-2000s, and later for CPS as deputy chief executive. for community affairs from 2009 to 2011 under then-schools chief Ron Huberman.
In addition to Harden, four current board members will keep their positions: Debby Pope, a longtime teacher and former CTU staff member from North Side District 2; political consultant Michilla Blaise of the West Side District 5; labor and grassroots organizer Frank Niles Thomas of District 9 on the Far South Side; and community organizer Olga Bautista of the Southeast Side District 10.
Mary Gardner and Rafael Yañez will leave the board.
New Board Members’ Backgrounds
The new board members include:
- Ed Bannon, a longtime member of the Dever Elementary School Local School Council (LSC) who is running for councilman against Councilman Nick Sposato (38th) in 2023.
- Norma Ríos-Sierra is an artist, activist, and mother from Logan Square.
- Pastor Emma Lozano is a prominent immigration activist who described herself in the mayor’s press release as a “champion of bilingual education.”
- Karen Zaccor, one of two new members who unsuccessfully ran for an elected seat, backed by the CTU. Zaccor finished second among six candidates in a crowded race to represent District 4, which encompasses communities along the lake’s north shore.
- Anusha Thotakura, also named, lost the race to represent District 6, which stretches from some Near North Side neighborhoods to the South Side. During the election campaign, Thotakura touted her experience as a math teacher in California. Since then, she has worked for progressive organizations in Chicago and is currently director of Citizen Action Illinois, a progressive policy advocacy coalition.
Racial Makeup of the Board
Before the announcement, about 140 parents organized by the advocacy group Kids First Chicago sent a letter to the mayor asking him to ensure that the racial makeup of the board (those appointed along with elected members) reflects the district’s students, who are almost 90% African American and Latino.
In the end, seven of the 21 are white, six are black, seven are Latino, and one is Asian American.
Conclusion
The mayor’s appointments to the CPS school board reflect his commitment to prioritizing equity and amplifying community voices in the district. The new board members bring a unique perspective and unwavering commitment to the success of Chicago students.
FAQs
Q: Who were the mayor’s appointees to the CPS school board?
A: The mayor appointed 10 members on Monday, with an 11th still being evaluated.
Q: Who is the new school board President?
A: Sean Harden, a consulting executive and former executive assistant to Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Q: Who are the current board members retained by the mayor?
A: Debby Pope, Michilla Blaise, Frank Niles Thomas, and Olga Bautista.
Q: Who are the new board members?
A: Ed Bannon, Norma Ríos-Sierra, Pastor Emma Lozano, Karen Zaccor, and Anusha Thotakura.
