MEMORANDUM
To: Chicago Board of Education
From: Citywide LSC Leaders (Various)
Date: July 9, 2024
Subject: Request for Transparency and Engagement in School Funding Decisions
Dear Members of the Chicago Board of Education,
On June 12, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that it was delaying the release of its full operating budget for SY2024-25 until July to allow for further engagement with CPS stakeholders. We are reaching out on behalf of our school communities to make ourselves available to the Board and CPS in the coming weeks to engage in meaningful dialogue about school budgets for next year.
As members of 30+ Local School Councils, we have expressed our concerns regarding the recent overhaul of the district’s approach to funding schools.
The decision to move away from student-based budgeting was made without the consultation of Local School Council members. This exclusion has resulted in a significant lack of transparency and has left our school communities with numerous unanswered questions.
We seek clarity on several critical aspects of the new funding approach:
Is this new funding approach intended to be temporary, and if so, what are the long-term implications for schools?
How is the Opportunity Index calculated, and what formula is used?
What are the justifications for the proposed student-to-teacher ratios, and how were these ratios determined?
How will funding adjustments be made in response to mid-year student enrollment changes?
Are there specific budget provisions for supporting migrant students and those with special education needs?
What level of discretion will principals and Local School Councils have over the use of school funds and positions? How will the issue of unfilled positions be addressed?
What resources will be made available to enhance school safety?
We ask that the Chicago Board of Education address these questions in meetings with Local School Council members like us. Additionally, we ask that all responses be provided in writing to ensure that our school communities have access to the information.
The need for openness in how our schools are funded cannot be overstated. Transparent communication is essential for building trust and ensuring that all students receive the education they deserve.
We look forward to your prompt response and working more closely with you all to address these concerns and communicate these decisions more widely.
Sincerely,
Mykela Collins, George Manierre Elementary School, Co-Chair
Jason Emeott, LaSalle Language Academy, Parent Representative
Baltazar Enriquez, Farragut Career Academy, Community Representative
Daniel Faulkner, LaSalle Language Academy, Non-Teacher Representative
Hermelinda Flores, Luther Burbank Elementary School, Chair
Luz Maria Flores, Back of the Yards College Prep High School, Chair
Agnos Fong, LaSalle Language Academy, Parent Representative
Corey Garcia, Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, Parent Representative
Margarita García, Irene C. Hernández Middle School, Parent Representative
Martha R. Garcia de Godinez, Eric Solorio Academy High School, Community Representative
Socorro Gaytan, Eric Solorio Academy High School, Community Representative
Carrie Glaspie, John Hay Community Academy, Parent Representative
Juanita Guerra, Zapata Elementary School, Parent Representative
Joann Hardeman, Hirsch Metropolitan High School, Parent Representative
Colum Lavelle, LaSalle Language Academy, Community Representative
Clent Lewis, Bernhard Moos Elementary School, Parent Representative
Karonda Locust, Willa Cather Elementary School, Chair
Lorena López, Back of the Yards College Prep High School, Parent Representative
Norma Lopez-Murillo, Steinmetz College Prep, Chair; Belmont-Cragin Elementary, Parent Representative; and Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy, Community Representative
Consuelo Martinez, Ray Graham Training Center High School, Parent Representative; and Back of the Yards College Prep High School, Community Representative
Steven McClellan, LaSalle Language Academy, Community Representative
Uriah Muhammad, LaSalle Language Academy, Chair
Lourdes Neris, LaSalle Language Academy, Parent Representative
Darlene O'Banner, Earle STEM Elementary School, Community Representative
Gabriela Oria, McCormick Elementary, Co-Chair; and Madero Middle School, Community Representative
Maria R. Owens, Hirsch Metropolitan High School, Co-Chair
Renye Owens, Air Force Academy High School, Chair
Michele Polkowski, LaSalle Language Academy, Teacher Representative
José Quiles, Steinmetz College Prep, Co-Chair; Belmont-Cragin Elementary, Community Representative; and Mary Lyon Elementary, Community Representative
Edgardo Ramirez, Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy, Parent Representative
Yadira Ramirez, Lara Elementary Academy, Parent Representative
Eva M. Rodriguez, Sor Juana Elementary School, Community Representative
Rachael Russ, LaSalle Language Academy, Parent Representative
Elvia Sandoval, Peter Cooper Dual Language Academy, Community Representative
Rachinda Smallwood, Bernhard Moos Elementary School, Parent Representative
Silvia Torres, Seward Community Art Academy Elementary, Community Representative
Jaqueline Vargas, Eric Solorio Academy High School, Chair; and Socorro Sandoval, Elementary School, Parent Representative
Julia Vega, Kanoon Magnet Elementary School, Chair
Abigail Vences, Mather High School, Parent Representative
Maida Wallen, LaSalle Language Academy, Parent Representative
Yolanda Williams, Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School, Parent Representative
Zoe Zaranko, LaSalle Language Academy, Teacher Representative
Download the Letter
Memo to Chicago Board of EducationThe need for openness in how our schools are funded cannot be overstated. Transparent communication is essential for building trust and ensuring that all students receive the education they deserve.