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CPS Board of Education is expected to meet at 10:30am on the issue of #CopsOutCPS. Follow this thread for live updates throughout the meeting.
@CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters
@CHIdocumenters #CHIdocumenters
The meeting will go LIVE on the BoE YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChiPubSchools
I'll post it as soon as its up. You can watch the 9:30am holiday waiver public hearing that just finished up.
I'll post it as soon as its up. You can watch the 9:30am holiday waiver public hearing that just finished up.
If you haven't had a chance yet to read the agenda, here's the link: https://www.cpsboe.org/content/documents/august_2020_public_agenda_to_post.pdf
Some interesting things I noticed include a resolution to appoint members to Local School Councils (LSC) that have vacancies and a resolution to find alternative plans for safety.
Some interesting things I noticed include a resolution to appoint members to Local School Councils (LSC) that have vacancies and a resolution to find alternative plans for safety.
Watch the livestream here:
Be sure to also follow the youth organizers rallying outside the Board of Ed during this meeting. https://twitter.com/StuStrikeBack/status/1298644727617581056?s=19
The Board is currently honoring 4 CPS students who have been awarded with the DREAM fund scholarship.
The recipients are currently sharing their statements.
The recipients are currently sharing their statements.
All members are present, btw.
Just heard from Chief Education Officer, Latanya Mcdade on remote learning. They reiterated support that will be provided to parents who will need help during this transition.
Now we're hearing from Chief Executive Officer, Janice Jackson, on reforms to the SRO program.
including but not limited to
- partnership w/ Lurie Children's hospital for more trauma-informed training
- SROs will be expected to have "excellent" disciplinary background
including but not limited to
- partnership w/ Lurie Children's hospital for more trauma-informed training
- SROs will be expected to have "excellent" disciplinary background
In regards to FY2021 budget, Jackson says that an increase of $125 million was made to the budget for more investments into our schools.
Remarks from CEO Jackson have concluded.
Now moving to public participation. Union representatives will go first.
2 min. per speaker.
2 min. per speaker.
First speaker is Maria Moreno from @CTULocal1
"In discussions with the Board yesterday, we learned that CPS still does not have safety plans for our [clerks]."
"In discussions with the Board yesterday, we learned that CPS still does not have safety plans for our [clerks]."
Next speaker is from the Chicago Charter Teachers' Union
"All but one charter school have agreed to not send their workers back into the building ... We need more oversight and CPS needs to negotiate in good faith"
"All but one charter school have agreed to not send their workers back into the building ... We need more oversight and CPS needs to negotiate in good faith"
Technical difficulties with the first couple public speakers
The next speaker is a parent advocate w/ @ILRaiseYourHand
After attending over 30 LSC meetings, the parent shares that "CPS has a need to invest in real restorative and transformative justice"
They also shared that the resolution presented is too vague.
After attending over 30 LSC meetings, the parent shares that "CPS has a need to invest in real restorative and transformative justice"
They also shared that the resolution presented is too vague.
The next public speaker is Executive Director at Epic Academy, a charter school on the Southeast side of Chicago.
They shared about the resources their school has been able to provide to their school community for remote learning.
They shared about the resources their school has been able to provide to their school community for remote learning.
The next public speaker is a CPS mom at Sauganash Elementary.
They're addressing overcrowded schools on the Northwest side and asks the Board to approve the budget so that they can get more funds.
They're addressing overcrowded schools on the Northwest side and asks the Board to approve the budget so that they can get more funds.
The next speaker is a CPS alum who is also addressing overcrowded classrooms at Sauganash Elementary.
"Empty nesters are moving out and larger families are moving in .. I am concerned about having 664 students at a school w/ a capacity for 540 students."
"Empty nesters are moving out and larger families are moving in .. I am concerned about having 664 students at a school w/ a capacity for 540 students."
The next public speaker is another CPS parent at Sauganash Elementary addressing the same issue.
"How can a teacher develop relationships with any student when they have over 40 students in the classroom?"
"How can a teacher develop relationships with any student when they have over 40 students in the classroom?"
The next public speaker is an LSC parent rep at Sauganash Elementary.
"It's one of the most overcrowded schools in the city ... We need more capital expansion"
"It's one of the most overcrowded schools in the city ... We need more capital expansion"
The next public speaker is a parent of 3 kids at Sauganash Elementary addressing the same issue of overcrowded classrooms.
"Please vote in favor of this capital expansion."
"Please vote in favor of this capital expansion."
The next public speaker is another CPS parent at Sauganash Elementary.
"Kindergarten class sizes are nearing 40. The physical capacity has not grown with it."
"Kindergarten class sizes are nearing 40. The physical capacity has not grown with it."
The next public speaker shares that issues regarding remote learning could be solved if principals had a voice.
"Our lives are no more expendable than the teachers and should not be treated as such. Stop disrespecting me. Stop disrespecting us."
"Our lives are no more expendable than the teachers and should not be treated as such. Stop disrespecting me. Stop disrespecting us."
They're also sharing that several principals across CPS are making less than the staff members they supervise.
They share that teachers don't even want to take job opportunities as asst. principals because the pay isn't good.
They share that teachers don't even want to take job opportunities as asst. principals because the pay isn't good.
"The hybrid model was a disaster, the rollout plan for remote learning was a disaster. Our principals need leadership" continues @TroyLaraviere.
The next public speaker is a CPS parent at Sauganash Elementary.
"16 of our 21 homerooms are overcrowded ... none of these are safe and productive spaces for our children."
"16 of our 21 homerooms are overcrowded ... none of these are safe and productive spaces for our children."
The next public speaker is a teacher at Sauganash Elementary.
"At 123% capacity, we are using every available space including stairwells, storage rooms ... It pains me when there are 40 students in a classroom."
"At 123% capacity, we are using every available space including stairwells, storage rooms ... It pains me when there are 40 students in a classroom."
The next public speaker is an ESL teacher and parent at Sauganash Elementary.
"Not all students are able to participate ... the overcrowding should not hinder their growth."
"Not all students are able to participate ... the overcrowding should not hinder their growth."
The next public speaker is a CPS parent at Sauganash Elementary, teacher and alum.
"Storage rooms have been turned into general classrooms ... We also don't have a local library near the school which makes it more difficult."
"Storage rooms have been turned into general classrooms ... We also don't have a local library near the school which makes it more difficult."
The next public speaker is a CPS parent at Sauganash Elementary.
"The annual growth rate is between 4-6%."
She shares that her daughter who is a student at Sauganash has said that she can't focus in the overcrowded classrooms.
"The annual growth rate is between 4-6%."
She shares that her daughter who is a student at Sauganash has said that she can't focus in the overcrowded classrooms.
The next public speaker is an LSC rep at Sauganash Elementary.
"An expansion would bring us into compliance ... there's not enough room for safe distancing."
They share that tax-paying families are moving to the suburbs and that this expansion could bring more money.
"An expansion would bring us into compliance ... there's not enough room for safe distancing."
They share that tax-paying families are moving to the suburbs and that this expansion could bring more money.
The next public speaker is speaking on behalf of Illinois Charter Schools.
They share that they are ready and prepared for remote learning and that as a district we must unite to provide support for students.
They share that they are ready and prepared for remote learning and that as a district we must unite to provide support for students.
The next public speaker is from the Illinois network of charter schools.
They're addressing charter schools on the South and West Sides of Chicago that are not currently part of the district's budget and don't get capital investments.
They're addressing charter schools on the South and West Sides of Chicago that are not currently part of the district's budget and don't get capital investments.
The next public speaker is CEO of a private charter school in Garfield Park.
"I've heard a false narrative that charter schools are rushing to put students and teachers back in the classroom ... Our students will receive 2 live 45-minute sessions every week per class"
"I've heard a false narrative that charter schools are rushing to put students and teachers back in the classroom ... Our students will receive 2 live 45-minute sessions every week per class"
The next public speaker is speaking in support of approving the budget which includes building a high school in Chinatown.
"CPS has found that students living in Chinatown have the longest commute travel time" which prevents students from participating in extracurriculars.
"CPS has found that students living in Chinatown have the longest commute travel time" which prevents students from participating in extracurriculars.
The next public speaker is the LSC chair at Kellogg addressing the new capital investments.
They're addressing the fact that the LSC was not consulted about the proposal for more capital investments.
They're addressing the fact that the LSC was not consulted about the proposal for more capital investments.
The next public speaker starts off by saying that there is no distinction between CPS, the City of Chicago and Mayor Lightfoot. Politics are intertwined.
Regarding SROs, they share that "this is state-sanctioned violence against Black children."
Regarding SROs, they share that "this is state-sanctioned violence against Black children."
The next public speaker is Kristin Brody, LSC chair at Goudy Elementary.
They urge the Board to terminate the SRO contract which affects students w/ disabilities and students of color.
"It is alarming that the number of students w/ IEPs getting referrals is on the rise."
They urge the Board to terminate the SRO contract which affects students w/ disabilities and students of color.
"It is alarming that the number of students w/ IEPs getting referrals is on the rise."
The next public speaker is CPS parent Vanessa Lopez and she speaks in support of the English Learner gifted program at Orozo Academy in Pilsen which has allowed Latinx students to continue building on their bilingual skills.
The next public speaker is a CPS parent and alum at Orozco Academy.
"Today we have a half empty building and are facing declining enrollment ... It seems that there is more protection for the status quo than for our children's safety"
"Today we have a half empty building and are facing declining enrollment ... It seems that there is more protection for the status quo than for our children's safety"
The next public speaker is a CPS parent at Kellogg Elementary.
"[Kellogg] is a predominantly African-American school that has not gotten capital investmenets .... these [proposed] improvements do not come remotely close to meeting our needs."
"[Kellogg] is a predominantly African-American school that has not gotten capital investmenets .... these [proposed] improvements do not come remotely close to meeting our needs."
