Priorities

A Focus on Effective Teaching

My top priority for 25 years has been recruiting and retaining excellent teachers and supporting them in doing their best work. We must fully staff our schools and support teachers in doubling down on student achievement. Only 24% of CPS students are proficient in math and 40% in reading. Not meeting literacy proficiency can create detrimental impacts that last through adulthood, as I observed firsthand as a reading tutor with Literacy Chicago. No priority tops well-supported teachers focused on core content and students’ social-emotional and mental well-being.

Addressing the Budget Crisis

Fully-funded schools are a must! I have successfully advocated in Springfield for education budget items before and will bring this expertise to advocate on behalf of CPS for fully funding the evidence-based funding formula. At the same time, CPS has paid $2B in interest to-date from the last high-interest loan and is the only one among the nation’s largest 25 districts that has a junk bond rating. Resources should be spent on classrooms and staff; not additional debt interest. I will review existing and future CPS contracts with an eye to identify efficiencies and ensure CPS is prioritizing its educator workforce. To the extent difficult budget decisions must be made, I will prioritize teacher recruitment and retention and ensuring that decisions are made transparently and with widespread and authentic stakeholder input.

Safety and Belonging

Every student should feel 100% safe going to any CPS school. Every parent should feel school is an extension of their family and that their children can learn in a safe environment. This includes physical and psychological safety, and feeling a sense of belonging to the community. I will review where CPS might fall short and support protocols and resources that ensure every child feels welcome and safe at their CPS school.

Chronic Absenteeism

An alarming 40% of CPS students are chronically absent. I will draw on the research and extensive engagement among those most directly impacted in supporting solutions such as early warning systems, mentoring, family coordination , behavioral interventions, and bringing back student transportation. I support exploring lower-cost transportation solutions such as helping high school students get commercial driving licenses with costs covered through workforce development grants and safe “bike bus” options for neighborhood schools. I strongly believe these transportation options should be made with the input of the families that struggle the most to get to school.

Long-Term Planning & A 200th Birthday Goal for Chicago

With the last CPS 5-Year Plan developed in 2019, the time is ripe for a new plan that make Chicago’s Public Schools #1 in the nation in time for Chicago’s 200th birthday in 2037. As the Obama Presidential Center opens and as we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, I will champion a bold, visionary 5- and 10-year plan that galvanizes Chicago’s civic, business, and cultural leaders to invest in and celebrate Chicago’s commitment for excellent opportunities for all, beginning with world-class public schools.