Academics
About 31% of Chicago Public Schools elementary students are meeting state standards in reading, and 19% are meeting math standards. How would you approach growing reading and math achievement?*
I believe a massive citywide campaign to ensure literacy with a focus on reading proficiency at the third grade level is a starting point for ending the school-to-prison pipeline. While 31% of all CPS students are reading at grade level only one out of four lower-income CPS students is doing so. This failure is unacceptable. CPS ought to focus on this issue and not only spend money but engage and collaborate with not-for-profits, business and faith-based organizations to make “Every Child a Reader.” Over 150 years ago Frederick Douglass said: “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” That truth has not changed. A similar approach to math may be in order, but I would prioritize reading.
Do you support standardized testing more than once a year?
No. Once a year ought to be sufficient. Though whatever is required by state or federal law must be obeyed.
Do you support requiring all schools to select from a certain curriculum authorized by the board of education?
Yes. Board policy ought to set minimum requirements. Local schools should add to this as teachers, principals and parents think it appropriate.
Chicago Public Schools has consistently fallen short when it comes to serving students with disabilities. What would you do to improve special education?
Hold CPS officials accountable for designing and executing a program that the board approves and funds.
CPS finances
In recent years, Chicago’s Board of Education has consistently raised the property tax levy to the maximum allowed by state law every year. Should the board continue to raise the levy to the maximum?
No. CPS should do everything it can to increase federal and state funding.
Do you think CPS needs more funding, or do you think the school district’s budget is bloated? How would you balance the CPS budget?*
The current school board has made efforts to redirect funding from “downtown” to the neighborhood schools. I believe there is a much greater need for additional funding than will be found in belt-tightening at headquarters. I believe the most fruitful path for additional funding is to merge the Chicago teachers pension with the State of Illinois’ teacher pension and allow the State of Illinois to take this responsibility, as they do for every other school district in the state. Absent this locally paid-for obligation, CPS would gain over $500 million in funds that I would want invested in neighborhood schools.
School choice
Do you support the current board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools and shift away from the current system of school choice with selective enrollment, magnet and charter schools?
No. Parents know their children better than anyone. Providing them choices leads to better outcomes.
Given the board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools, how would you balance supporting those schools without undermining the city’s selective enrollment schools and other specialized programs?*
After appropriate belt-tightening in the central office CPS must pursue additional funding from DC, Springfield and the private sector. The starting point for significant increase of resources for our students is for Springfield to shoulder the responsibility for our teacher pensions JUST AS THEY DO FOR EVERY OTHER DISTRICT IN THE STATE.
The first charter school opened in Chicago in 1997 and these privately run, publicly funded schools grew in number throughout the 2000s. Today, 54,000 Chicago Public Schools students, or about 17%, attend charters and contract schools. Do you support having charter schools in CPS as an option for students?
Yes. Wealthy parents have many choices including private and parochial schools. Lower-income parents do not have choices absent the existence of charters, magnets and selective enrollments. I am pro-choice.
Independence
If elected, how will you maintain your independence from the mayor’s office, the Chicago Teachers Union or other powerful forces shaping the school system?*
In the 4th District which I seek to represent the CTU has endorsed one candidate and it is not me. Nonetheless our teachers are the very foundation of our schools and I would always seek to work with them and their elected union officials for the benefit of our students. Likewise I have not received the endorsement of the mayor or the Regular Democratic Organization. The board will only be successful in making Chicago’s public school system the best big-city system in the country if the entire board and the different interests they represent cooperate in the pursuit of student achievement.
Police in schools
Do you support having sworn Chicago Police Department officers stationed in schools?
Yes. I would prefer having this decision made at the local school level. Revisiting the board’s decision is not a priority.
Busing and facilities
Last year, in an effort to prioritize transportation for students with disabilities as required by state and federal law, CPS canceled busing for general education students who attend selective enrollment and magnet schools and hasn’t found a solution to reinstate that service. Do you support busing for general education students?
Yes. Older kids can of course use public transit, but it is our responsibility to get elementary students (at a minimum) to school.
About one-third of Chicago public school buildings have space for at least double the students they’re currently enrolling. Chicago officials have previously viewed under-enrolled schools as an inefficient use of limited resources — and a decade ago the city closed a record 50 schools. Do you support closing schools for low enrollment?
No. The dollars saved do not justify the damage done to communities when schools are closed. This does not mean we should accept the status quo of very low enrollment schools. Each underenrolled school should have a plan for attracting students and a goal in terms of time and numbers. These large underutilized buildings ought be considered assets in the effort to create affordable housing and community development.
Bilingual education
CPS has long struggled to comply with state and federal laws requiring bilingual programs at schools that enroll 20 or more students who speak a different language. The recent influx of migrant families has exacerbated the problem. What policies do you support to ensure the district is supporting bilingual students and in compliance with state and federal laws?
I am skeptical of the value of additional “policies.” Action to comply is the direction I support. Additional loan forgiveness for educators that join CPS and stay should be utilized as a recruitment and retention tool for bilingual teachers and others.
Top local issue
Please share one issue that’s a top concern for your community or your larger elected school board voting district.
In the 4th District narrowly, maintaining excellence in schools and student success where it currently exists is a critical issue. The 4th District voters are also keenly aware that in large portions of Chicago the system is failing the students. Chicago’s future demands that this be addressed. It is all our problem.