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* Sen. Rob Martwick’s bill to create an elected Chicago school board passed the Senate Executive Committee yesterday, but its fate is still uncertain in the face of a completing plan (not yet introduced) from Mayor Lori Lightfoot that will be sponsored by Majority Leader Kim Lightford. Sun-Times…
Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford voted for the bill, but said it was important to continue negotiations to “come up with the absolute best process and the best model that we can” for students and families.
“There’s so much that goes into this huge change that we will be making, for the better is my hope, but we can’t do it because we’re siding with this group versus that group,” the Maywood Democrat said.
State Sen. Rob Martwick, sponsor of the bill, said he was open to amending it, but the Northwest Side Democrat said concerns mentioned Wednesday were already considered.
“Whether it does it adequately or not, I guess we can debate about that,” he said. “I am always open to hearing how we can improve it.”
* ChalkBeat…
Sybil Madison, Chicago’s deputy mayor for education and human services, testified against the elected school board bill, citing progress that public schools have made since 1995, when the state gave the mayor control over the board.
“In 2020, CPS had a record-high graduation rate at 83%. The University of Chicago research shows that CPS’ English language learners have equivalent gains and achievement from K through eighth grade as their peers who never classified as English language learners,” Madison said.
She mentioned that any version of the board should include parents’ voices because they have often felt left out of board decisions.
After public testimony during the committee hearing, Lightford said that while she supported the idea of an elected school board, the Senate proposal for 21 members would be hard to implement. She raised concerns about the number of members, the cost of the board, finances for each race, and how to draw voting districts to ensure that all sides of the city are represented. […]
Lightford has been instrumental in passing ambitious legislation. During the lame-duck session in fall, she pushed through a bill that created new graduation requirements for all Illinois students and more access to advanced courses.
* WTTW…
Adrian Segura, Chicago Public Schools’ deputy chief of family and community engagement, also testified, and cautioned that an elected board doesn’t necessarily come with guarantees.
“L.A. has the largest elected school board in the country and currently there are no parents on their board. An election does not guarantee equity among representation, as was seen in the elections in California. They cost millions of dollars, which for most of our parents – at least mine, I know – they don’t have, which brings up the question of special interests and who is funding school board elections and for what reason,” Segura said.
Many parents and community members testified in favor of the bill, saying it would give parents and community members a long-overdue seat at the table when deciding how students in Chicago should be educated. And while many parents want to see elected representatives on the school board, there are a variety of views as to how it should be structured.
* Politico…
Nonprofit leaders have written a letter to legislators asking that they make sure Chicago’s school board represents parents, especially from Chicago’s “disadvantaged and disenfranchised” communities.
*** UPDATE *** Meant to add this earlier…
With a vote of 71-39, the #Illinois House passes HB 2908 Elected #Chicago School Board. https://t.co/r03N5E6Usz pic.twitter.com/63zpOA9Jv8
— BlueRoomStream (@BlueRoomStream) April 15, 2021
* Related…
* School board politics, revisited - There are billions of reasons that have nothing to do with education to keep the schools under mayoral control.
* Why can’t my daughter return to high school? Three words: Chicago Teachers Union
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:27 am
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Mayor Haircut about to be rolled again. The Empress has no clothes
Comment by Pawar Lost Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:31 am
An elected school board means that CPS can be run as effectively as the rest of Chicago. /s/
Comment by Rush Street Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:32 am
The irony of Lightfoot working against her campaign promise (albeit a compromise) is so Lori Lightfoot and her ineptitude at both governing and politics.
Reality?
Lightfoot loses if it passes and loses if she can stop it.
Things like that happen with no allies.
Pathetic.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:38 am
Rob Martwick kneecaps property taxpayers once again doing the bidding of public sector unions
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:38 am
=== Rob Martwick===
Lori Lightfoot ran on an elected school board.
Are you also against democracy?
Seems so.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:50 am
===Why can’t my daughter return to high school? Three words: Chicago Teachers Union===
While I am for an elected board I think the CTU should watch what they wish for. At least in the near term. If there was an election today my guess is some of their candidates would go down in flames. While I also tend to support the union even some parents who have relatives who are teachers are not happy with them.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:50 am
Because union members don’t pay property taxes???
Geez, you anti-unioners aren’t even decent with your one note song routine.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:51 am
“”Things like that happen with no allies.”" ++
{Wordslinger-level pithy}
When potential allies are treated with disdain or worse. When clarity and dependability are lacking, those who hoped for the Mayor’s success cannot grasp a way to help.
Comment by walker Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:57 am
The LA school board has 7 people. Martwick’s bill is plenty representative because it has way more bites at the apple for parents, teachers, and even DeVos-Rauner types. And if you hate ctu, would you want them putting their finite resources into 5 or 7 races, meaning all of them? Or having to pick 5 to 7 to really focus on out of 21 or more? Furthermore, parents by and large at CPS have consistently sided with the teachers and union ove Lightfoot, Rahm, and their parade of terribles in charge of CPS. I wouldn’t roll the dice on a small board if I was Lightfoot because she’s gonna get rolled. Her plan is probably going to be a hybrid, but that’s neither truly elected nor representative.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:05 am
Often where you sit has a lot to do with what you “see”regarding political issues. I live in Chicago.
I used to always support the teachers and their union and was supportive of the idea of an elected school board, but like Mayor Lightfoot I have changed my mind.
I still support teachers, but the idea of the possibility of the current CTU leadership controlling the school board has changed my mind on the idea of an elected board.
As to the Mayor, I have every confidence she will be put interests of Chicago’s school children at the top of her agenda.
Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:15 am
“Geez, you anti-unioners”
Not sure that’s the case as much as the CTU demanded that schools not reopen until all members had received vaccination. And now, many teachers are refusing to be vaccinated. It’s not a good look for the CTU.
Comment by Rush Street Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:17 am
===Why can’t my daughter return to high school? Three words: Chicago Teachers Union===
Always read all the way to the bottom of the piece:
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:40 am
“And now, many teachers are refusing to be vaccinated.”
Citation needed.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:44 am
Has LL had a ‘win’ since she’s been in office? To make matters worse, Lori took the hit for a botched warrant on Rahm’s watch.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:44 am
People continue to pitch the idea that if this bill passes, then the CPS board will be a CTU puppet. Not likely - if school board races play out like other elections.
50 city council aldermen and women, some were elected with CTU support, some with CTU opposition. There are 11 state senate seats, and respective state house seats, entirely or mostly in the city. Some of these ally with CTU on policy, but not all of them and not all the time.
The thing about being an elected official, is that official has to be responsive to an array of interests, and seek compromise. This is how city council members and state legislators attempt -attempt - to be responsive.
There’d likely be a spectrum - a range - of support for community/parents/teachers on the board at one end….and those with ties to RE interests, the Commercial Club, particular education think tanks bankrolled by billionaire families, the financial industry, and the Mayor at the other end.
Not all one way or the other, but a range falling within this spectrum.
2o districts is not too many. These would be about the size of a state rep seat, small enough for community-based campaigns.
Democracy is what’s being proposed.
Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:45 am
– Because union members don’t pay property taxes??? –
Good question. Here’s an intractable riddle for you, in return:
If I walk into a Walmart, fill my cart with groceries and other goods, proceed through the register like everyone else, pay the cashier like everyone else for those goods, but then, on the way out, tje store manager hands me a check for the total I paid, plus thousands more, increasing at 3-5% every shopping trip, did I ever actually pay Walmart anything?
Comment by JB13 Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:57 am
=== then, on the way out, tje store manager hands me a check for the total I paid, plus thousands more, increasing at 3-5% every shopping trip, did I ever actually pay Walmart anything?===
Argue like an adult.
Teachers provide a service.
Do you work for nothing or do you think up this silly on scholarship in the dorm room?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:05 am
“Here’s an intractable riddle for you, in return:
If I walk into a Walmart, fill my cart with groceries and other goods, proceed through the register like everyone else, pay the cashier like everyone else for those goods, but then, on the way out, tje store manager hands me a check for the total I paid, plus thousands more, increasing at 3-5% every shopping trip, did I ever actually pay Walmart anything?”
This is a joke right? You don’t actually think this is a good analogy for teachers, do you? The only way this makes any sense is if you think teachers literally do no work for their pay.
Comment by Montrose Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:08 am
=== The only way this makes any sense is if you think teachers literally do no work for their pay.===
It’s not an adult or honest look at… anything.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:11 am
yes, there are some issues with the thought of an elected school board, and with the teachers union, but that Kessem Committeeperson is a right wing terror. think a person from Chicago should comment on a mural on a suburban high school? that would be her. Trumper all the way.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:21 am
The adult way to look at this is in fact that retired teachers and public sector union members do no work but get a 3% raise every year, regardless of inflation or the cost of living
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:22 am
=== This essay was written in cooperation with the Liberty Justice Center, a conservative public interest law firm founded by Pat Hughes, John Tillman and Dan Proft.===
The grift is real and everywhere… and dishonest to the premise as well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:23 am
I think it’s pretty obvious that if CTU thought they’d fare better with a 7 or 8 member board, they’d be supporting it.
Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:23 am
The push for an elected school board seems very messy. How does anyone win with this?
Comment by Levois J Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:40 am
always easier to smear the messenger and ignore the message
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:55 am
“The push for an elected school board seems very messy. How does anyone win with this?”
Why is electing school board members being treated by electing any other public servants? We elect our representatives to the MWRD, GA, city council(s), US President, US congress…on and on. Suburbs and municipalities throughout Illinois elect their school boards. Why should CPS be different?
Seems there are underlying false arguments being made against an elected board, playing on unstated fears…so scary, people who get elected in Chicago.
And - for what it’s worth - have the appointed boards done well?
Please recall - BB Bennett’s $20 million fraud. P. Vallas/Duncan/Daley’s financial mismanagement - whose actions took a 100% funded teachers’ pension system to 50% funded today….F. Claypool’s coverup of lying in CPS management….
https://news.wttw.com/2017/12/07/cps-watchdog-claypool-should-be-fired-cover-repeatedly-lying
Would you like citations for all the bad decision making of mayoral - appointed leadership?
Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 12:14 pm
Apologies.
Awkward syntax above.
This - ‘Why is electing school board members being treated by electing any other public servants?’
Should read - ‘Why is electing CPS school board members being treated differently from electing other public servants?’
Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 12:16 pm
Teachers unions exist throughout Illinois, yet people electing their school boards in every school district in the state except one. So why should only Chicagoans be denied a voice in their school board?
Comment by anon2 Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 12:51 pm
Corporations got a 40% raise for nothing. They didn’t create more jobs. They pocketed an overwhelming share of the gains from the corporate tax cut. Trump actually underperformed Obama in job growth pre-pandemic. What did millionaires and billionaires do that merited halving the estate tax? Nothing. What happened with national debt and federal deficits under Trump? Put that into the perspective of the IPI and others attacking public sector pay.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 12:57 pm
When you are Mayor Lightfoot, and you are arguing that COS is actually doing a great job, you are truly in trouble.
When you are Mayor Lightfoot, and you claim you are fighting for the rights of parents, and all the parents are for the bill, and you are not, yourself, a CPS parent, then what?
As far as I can tell, only one of the seven board members appointed by Mayor Lightfoot has a child in CPS, and that child attends a selective enrollment school.
It is unmitigated hypocrisy, and someone should call her out on it.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 1:04 pm
71 YES - 39 NO - 3 PRES
Comment by Ashland Adam Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 1:34 pm
=Teachers unions exist throughout Illinois, yet people electing their school boards in every school district in the state except one. So why should only Chicagoans be denied a voice in their school board?=
I agree with this comment.
I suspect the answer to the question of “why” is less about concern that parents would not have enough input under the proposed bill, and more about the fact that the CPS budget is so large that no Chicago Mayor wants to relinquish control over that big pot of funds.
Comment by James Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 1:36 pm
=Citation needed.=
@Misterjayem, I doubt there is much in the way of statewide data on this issue but I believe, based on my district and what I hear from other superintendents that there is something to this. Only 64% of our teachers were vaccinated. We worked with the health department to make it easy for them back in January. I have very little hard data regarding other districts, and we are only one small district. But, the discussions I have been part of is that this is happening more than we would like it to happen. Three of those that passed on the vaccine have since either been COVID positive or had to quarantine. We have about 40 teachers.
I am all for an elected CPS Board. Lightfoot simply does not seem to be able to help herself and I just don’t see a way she gets a second term.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 1:53 pm
Chicago is unique in that it is the only municipality without an elected school board, community college board, library board and park district board. All of the posts are filled with mayoral appointees.
Logistically, it could be a challenge, but at some point shouldn’t Chicago operate under rules similar to every other municipality?
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 2:32 pm
Got push polled on this today right before (or after) the vote about if the vote should be delayed.
The argument was the money spent on pay and benefits for ‘more elected Chicago politicians is my tax dollars not going into the classroom.
I don’t live in Chicago and I think if that is your argument for holding stuff up, that is kind of lame.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 2:47 pm
Chicago isn’t a Fiefdom.
Elected offices are a good thing.
And future Chicago Mayors will be thrilled to be able to shift blame to independently elected school board members rather than owning every bad or unpopular decision made by the school board.
=== Only 64% of our teachers were vaccinated.===
In a fascinating mix of public interest and privacy I have been surprised to discover that many employees have chosen not to track vaccine participation or to even create an option for those to voluntarily report that they have been vaccinated.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 3:44 pm
A way to pay for salaries of the new elected school board members would be to reduce the number of alderpersons. Fifteen city council members suffice for LA.
Comment by anon2 Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 4:04 pm
===retired teachers and public sector union members do no work but get a 3% raise every year, regardless of inflation===
Your issue is with the terms of employment set by the state, not the issues dealt with by an elected or appointed board. Stay on topic or move along.
Comment by thechampaignlife Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 7:26 pm