I am the mother of twin boys who are transitioning into young men before my eyes. I chose to send them to private school because of concerns I have always had with Chicago’s public school system leaving some children behind.
If we let parents have a say, we have an opportunity right now to create a school board that works for all Chicago’s children.
Our school board should have at least nine members, with a mix of elected and appointed members, and should reflect the community it serves. Elected positions would ensure residents have a direct say in their representation, while appointed positions would ensure some members have experience in the school system, such as serving on Local School Councils, or have expertise in areas such as academics, finance and union issues.
This board would serve the interest of taxpayers and parents alike, with a level of accountability that would help rebuild the public’s confidence.
The school board’s primary goal should be equitable and accessible quality education for all students regardless of economic or social background. Then parents like me can be confident that our children will grow into adulthood with the strong foundational education that all students need.
— Tracy Smith
Read Tracy's Letter to the Editor in the Chicago Tribune.
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