New Partially Elected CPS School Board Looks Optimistically to ‘New Era in Education’

Historic Moment for Chicago Public Schools

Chicago’s first-ever partially elected school board was sworn in Wednesday, marking a historic moment after nearly two decades of grassroots parent activism and statehouse debates over whether voters should decide the direction of Chicago Public Schools.

Board Members Take Oaths of Office

The new board members took their oaths of office and met for the first time amid a tumultuous few months for the Board of Education and school district — but the political divisions that have dominated that period largely made way for celebration.

Board President Sean Harden’s Optimistic Outlook

Board President Sean Harden, who was appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson in December, congratulated new members for “becoming part of history as members of the largest public school board in the United States.

“Students and families throughout the city of Chicago have a board that reflects their neighborhoods and their best interests,” Harden said. “I am incredibly optimistic about the district’s future, and I look forward to building new relationships, developing consensus with my fellow board members and keeping students and families at the core of our work. … We have an amazing opportunity to create an educational environment that’s unmatched in the United States.”

Only 20 Members Attend Meeting

Only 20 members — 10 elected and 10 appointed by the mayor — took part in Monday’s meeting, which served as the monthly preview of district proposals that will be considered at the regular board meeting Jan. 30. The mayor’s office still has not named its 11th appointee to complete the 21-member board.

Board Members Pose for Photos

Board members filed into the newly renovated boardroom in the basement of CPS’ downtown headquarters, some taking pictures with parents and others taking in their new meeting space. Elected member Yesenia Lopez posed for photos in her seat with family members during the meeting’s intermission.

Che “Rhymefest” Smith’s Inspiring Message

Che “Rhymefest” Smith, the philanthropist and Grammy Award-winning rapper, was among the more popular new board members sought out for photos. Smith, elected in District 10, received loud cheers as he took his turn among the 20 board members who made brief comments after their swearing-in.

“Traveling the world, living in different parts of the world, being able to earn Academy Awards and Grammys — that was not the pinnacle of the beauty of my life,” Smith said. “The pinnacle of the beauty of my life is being elected by a community who sees fit to have a new era in education, and who can see what Chicago Public Schools can be,” he said.

Board Members Reflect on the Journey

Aaron “Jitu” Brown, a longtime activist who won the 5th District election, reflected on the work that went into making an elected school board a reality.

“Thank you to everybody who believed in this moment,” he said. “There is a little saying. “First they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.’ In 2006, when we passed out petitions at the Bud Billiken Day Parade, they laughed at us. When we proved in 2014 that 90% of Chicago wanted an elected school board, they fought us. And today, we sit here.”

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates’ Message

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates told the board and audience in her public comments that she wanted to “apologize for being emotional in this moment,” recalling the CTU’s efforts to create an elected school board, including her door-knocking campaigns with Brown.

“I know for a fact that we are going to transform the Chicago Public Schools into a place that provides an equitable and just education no matter what neighborhood they live in,” Davis Gates said.

Divisions Still Present

There were only two brief hints at the divisions that have engulfed the board and CPS. The first came 40 minutes into the meeting, when there was a split vote for board vice president. Jessica Biggs, an independent who won election in the 6th District, was nominated against Olga Bautista, a mayoral appointee. Bautista won 12-7 in a vote that fell largely along the political lines of the past year, with candidates backed by the CTU or appointed by the mayor voting for Bautista and opponents for Biggs.

Conclusion

The new partially elected CPS school board is poised to usher in a new era in education for Chicago Public Schools. With a diverse range of members, including parents, educators, and community leaders, the board is well-positioned to tackle the district’s many challenges and create a more equitable and just education system for all students.

FAQs

Q: What is the significance of the new partially elected CPS school board?
A: The new board marks a historic moment for Chicago Public Schools, as it is the first time that voters have had a direct say in the direction of the district.

Q: Who are the members of the new board?
A: The board consists of 20 members, including 10 elected and 10 appointed by the mayor.

Q: What are the goals of the new board?
A: The board aims to create a more equitable and just education system for all students, with a focus on improving student outcomes and addressing the district’s many challenges.

Q: How will the board work together?
A: The board will work together to develop consensus and build relationships, with a focus on keeping students and families at the core of their work.