Call for Honest Collaboration Between Teachers, Administrators, and Parents

MEMORANDUM

TO:

• Pedro Martinez, Chief Executive Officer; Bogdana Chkoumbova, Chief Education Officer; Dr. Fatime Cooke, Chief of Equity, Engagement and Strategy; and Fanny Diego Alvarez, Chief of Family and Community Engagement, Chicago Public Schools
• Stacy Davis-Gates, President; and Jackson Potter, Vice President, Chicago Teachers Union
• Vincentia Egonmwan, Acting Chief of Staff, Chicago Board of Education; and Members of the Chicago Board of Education

Dear Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools Leadership:

On behalf of CPS parents and families, I write to thank you for settling the latest Chicago Teachers Union contract—and to call for greater accountability, inclusion, and transparency moving forward.

Over the years, parents like me have witnessed labor disputes, contract negotiations, and political battles – all fought under the banner of what is best for our children.

Parents have long been advocating for safer schools, smaller class sizes, better resources, and a curriculum that truly serves the diverse needs of our students. We have attended meetings, written to union leaders, organized rallies, voiced our concerns, and yet, we often find ourselves sidelined in these discussions.

Let me be clear—without parents, there would be no Chicago Public Schools. Without our children, there would be no jobs for teachers, administrators, or union leaders.

As negotiations have concluded and agreements have been reached, we demand to see the real impact of these efforts. Our students must experience the benefits of these hard-fought battles in their classrooms, in their curriculum, and in the overall quality of their education. We demand transparency and collaboration to ensure that every commitment made in this contract is fulfilled and that no student is left behind.

Furthermore, let us not forget that families are growing increasingly disillusioned with CPS. A significant percentage of parents are already considering leaving the district—some have already left. If 20% of CPS families were to withdraw their children for district schools, what would be left? Who would you teach? This is not a threat; it is a reality that should concern everyone invested in our public schools. The trust between CPS, CTU, and the families you serve is fragile, and without intentional action, it will continue to erode.

Moving forward, we insist on a true partnership between parents, educators, CTU leadership, and CPS administration. We must work together to ensure that the policies and agreements put in place truly benefit the students—our children—who should be the priority in all decisions. It is time for meaningful engagement with parents, not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of the decision-making process.

An Open Call for Collaboration

As a member of Kids First Chicago’s Parent Advisory Board, we are calling for a regular public forum where parents, CTU representatives, and CPS leadership can come together to discuss next steps, accountability measures, and ongoing collaboration. Our children’s futures are at stake, and we will not sit idly by while bureaucracy and politics take precedence over our children’s education.

We look forward to your response and working together to create a public school system that truly serves all students.

-Blaire Flowers