CPS School Board: South Side District 9

The Candidates and Campaign Issues

The race for Chicago’s School Board in the district that stretches to the far southwest corner of the city features a longtime school psychologist who challenged the leadership of the Chicago Teacher Union (CTU) versus a CTU-endorsed mother who fought against school closings as a student a decade ago. Additionally, the chairman of a large charter school network and a young lawyer with the Cook County Board of Commissioners are running for the position.

La’Mont Raymond Williams, who is the only independent candidate, starts his speeches at forums by declaring himself the only independent candidate. He is the chief of staff and general counsel for Cook County Board Commissioner Bill Lowry. Lanetta Thomas, who is endorsed by the CTU, is a U.S. Army veteran, works with several progressive activist organizations, and has school-age children with special needs. Miquel Lewis is a psychologist and acting director of Cook County’s Juvenile Probation Court Services. He is also the board chairman of the Noble Schools, one of the city’s largest charter networks. Therese Boyle is part of the CTU’s Members First caucus, which prioritizes issues such as wages and benefits.

School District Leadership and Budget

Most candidates running for school board say they would retain Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez and reject a high-interest short-term loan. Lewis, Williams, and Boyle said they would keep Martinez and reject taking a loan, which is how the mayor has said he wants to address the budget shortfall. Thomas wouldn’t commit to keeping Martinez or not, or on the question of the loan.

School Choice and School Type

Lewis is a strong proponent of charter schools, saying they fill a void between selective-enrollment and neighborhood schools. Williams is also supportive of charter schools, but said if they aren’t up to snuff, they should be closed. Boyle is not a proponent of charter schools and has had concerns about their ability to serve students with disabilities. Thomas supports keeping charter schools but wants them to be more inclusive.

Commitment to Inclusive Education

Thomas made an impassioned plea for selective-enrollment schools to be more inclusive, saying that "just don’t count kids out." She believes that schools should consider a child’s skills and strengths, not just their test scores.

Highlights from the Candidates

• La’Mont Raymond Williams: supportive of charter schools and improving neighborhood schools
• Lanetta Thomas: anti-charter and pro-inclusive education, wants to prioritize student needs
• Miquel Lewis: pro-charter and pro-school choice
• Therese Boyle: anti-charter and pro-members-first, wants to improve neighborhood schools

FAQs

• What are the candidates’ stances on charter schools? Lewis and Williams support charter schools, while Boyle is against them. Thomas is pro-charter but wants them to be more inclusive.
• What is the budget situation in the school district? The district is struggling with a budget shortfall and has to make difficult decisions.
• Who are the candidates’ priorities in education? The candidates have different priorities: Lewis focuses on school choice, Williams on improving neighborhood schools, Boyle on holding charter schools accountable, and Thomas on inclusive education.

Conclusion

The election for School Board in South Side District 9 features a diverse range of candidates with different ideas on how to improve the district. The candidates have different priorities, from charter schools to inclusive education, and the voters will ultimately decide who will best represent the district.