Support an HB 4268 Elected School Board for Chicago

Background: The appointed Chicago Board of Education (CBOE) has a long track record of financial
mismanagement. This long record of ineffective governance is not because Springfield has made mistakes but is
rather because the Board has made decisions in the interests of private contractors, charter schools, big banks, and
bondholders rather than the interests of students and families. It is time for a new governance structure that draws
on the strengths of Chicagos diverse population rather than continues down the 20-year path of failure.
CTU Position: Support HB 4268
Bill Details: HB 4268 brings the Chicago Public Schools in line with the rest of Illinois school district governance
structures. The bill provides for a 13-member school board elected in four regions across Chicago in an election
scheduled for March 2016. Candidate qualifications for board members are the same as candidates in the rest of
the state, and the Boards duties would be equivalent to those of other Illinois school boards.
Rationale:
1. The public overwhelmingly supports an elected school board. Chicagos voters cast more votes for an
elected school board than for Mayor, despite being on the ballot in only of the citys wards. Close to 90%
of voters approve of the idea. Shifting to a democratically elected school board with representatives from all
parts of the city provides an opportunity for real input on addressing tough issues, particularly the need for
revenue and sufficient resources to fully support our schools and communities.
2. The appointed board is a financial failure. Chicagos mayor has appointed the school board since 1995,
and the CBOE has claimed a budget deficit in practically each of the last 20 years. Furthermore, the
unelected Chicago Board of Education has supported or approved a long list of bad financial practices,
including:
a. Ten years of pension holidays between 1995 and 2005 and a three-year pension holiday from
2011 2013 that created the huge pension payments the Board currently faces. It is the Boards
non-payments and resistance to revenue generation that created the pension challenge.
b. The no-bid $20 million SUPES contract that cost the districts CEO her job and landed her under
federal investigation.
c. The $220 million Aramark janitorial contract that left schools significantly dirtier and that actually
increased costs.
d. Toxic interest rate swap deals that cost Chicago taxpayers hundreds of millions and helped to
precipitate a credit downgrade to junk status.
3. Democratic governance for Chicago schools removes the burden from Springfield. Because of
mayoral control and an unaccountable appointed board, the General Assembly must mediate conflicts that
other districts handle at the local level. Creating an elected board restores local control of Chicago Public
Schools to those most affected the families and residents of the City of Chicago where it belongs.
Conclusion: It is clearly time for an elected representative school board in Chicago. Support HB 4268.