Unpacking Chicago Public Schools’ Five-Year Strategic Plan

The Board of Education did no engagement before introducing and approving the resolution. The Board resolution sets the “goals and parameters” of the district’s five-year strategic plan. However, the Board created the document with zero public input. No parents were invited to share their perspective before the resolution was introduced and approved.

Release of the resolution was last-minute and lacked transparency. The Board of Education provided just 48-hour notice prior to the introduction and adoption of the resolution. It was announced following a press conference with Chicago education reporters. The resolution was not included on the agenda during the previous week’s board agenda review meeting, where the Board reviews all agenda items for the upcoming monthly Board meeting. Moreover, the resolution has not been published in any language other than English.

Beyond the resolution, the Board is adopting a five-year strategic plan before Chicago’s elected school board is seated. Part of the promise of an elected school board is that it will be more representative of and responsive to Chicago families than a Mayoral-appointed school board. Current Board members have been in office for less than six months and may not serve past January 2025. Why is Chicago's fully-appointed school board moving to adopt a strategic plan that will govern CPS for the next five years?