001President Harden, before you begin today's meeting, I would like to read a few announcements. Good morning. Welcome to the January 29th, 2026 board meeting. Before we start the meeting, I would like to share a few safety points and next meeting announcements. Please note that the primary exit and entrance to the boardroom is the door which you use to enter this morning. If you're leaving the room, please use this door. The restrooms are outside the boardrooms to your left. During the meeting, we ask we ask that you keep all aisles and exits clear. If you need any assistance during the meeting, please wave the attention of one of our security officers. Mark your calendars for the upcoming meetings. The next ARC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The next board meeting
002is scheduled for Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. The ARK and board meetings will be held at 42 West Madison Street, Garden Level Boardroom. For details on how to register to speak or observe at the meetings and to learn about the speaker lottery process, please visit the Chicago Board of Education website, cpsb.org. If you have any questions about registration or public participation, please contact the board office for assistance. Thank you for joining us today. President Harden, we are now ready for you to begin the meeting. >> Good morning everyone. Welcome to the Chicago Board of Education meeting. Today is January 29th, 2026, and we are holding today's board meeting in the boardroom, CPS Loop office, 42 West Master Street, Garden Level. I'd like to note that the board members, honorary student board member, and
003senior leadership are physically present in the boardroom. Registered speakers may join us in person or virtually if they've opted to do so. I'm President Sean B. Harden. On behalf of my fellow board members, thank you for joining us today. The regular meeting of Thursday, January 29, 2026 is hereby called to order. Board secretary, please call the role. >> Thank you. Member Lozano here. Member Lopez. Oh, sorry. Member Bole here. Member Wallace who's joining us virtually via Zoom >> here. >> Member Kuster >> present. >> Member Pope >> here. >> Member Rivas >> here. >> Member Brown. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Member Rio Sierra, >> present. >> Member Bannon, >> present. >> Member Gutierrez, >> present. >> Member Biggs, >> present. Member Thodakura >> present. >> Member Blae >> here. >> Member Zachor >> here. >>
004President Harden >> present. >> We have 15 members present. We do have a quorum. I'd also like to recognize Dr. Meline King, interim superintendent, chief executive officer. Elizabeth Barton, acting general counsel. Dr. Alonso Carmono, acting chief education officer. Charles Mayfield, chief operating officer, and Destiny Singleton, our honorary student board member. Thank you. >> We'll begin today's meeting with honoring excellence, followed by the CEO remarks, committee updates, public participation. We'll then go into recess, reconvene from recess. There'll be discussion of public agenda items. will vote on public agenda items, go into cold session, reconvene from cold session session, and then we will adjourn. Chief Carmona, please proceed with honoring excellence. >> Uh, thank you, President Harden. Uh, good morning everyone. >> Morning. >> Good morning. >> Thank you. Uh the honoring excellence portion of today's meeting
005will focus on our district's early college and career credential pathways and how are they are preparing our students for success beyond high school. We have several accomplished students with us today and I look forward to hearing from them about their ET triple C experience. First though, I want to acknowledge what has been a very difficult time for two of our CPS communities. In just the past few weeks, both Healey and Talcott Elementary Schools lost beloved members of their staff. Joanna Tapia was the sunshine of Talco Elementary School, a third through fifth grade special education teacher who led with boundless love and dedication for her students. Joanna's impact was a gift to the entire CPS family and the collective care shown by her colleagues ensured that her light will continue to shine at Falco for many
006years to come. The second teacher, Linda Brown, was a dedicated educator who has spent more than two decades serving CPS students with incredible organization, energy, and a heart for every child. Through her career at Hedges, where I got a chance to meet her for the first time, Prito and Healey, she was known for recognizing the unique potential of more than 1,000 middle schoolers, ensuring they felt validated and included. As a colleague and personal friend, Linda was a source of unwavering support, always advocating for self-care and fostering deep sincere relationship with everyone in her circle. Linda's legacy of honesty, patient, and love remains an inspiration for the entire CPS community. What I hope we can take away from Linda's passing is a reminder to take care of one another. Life is busy and workloads can be
007unrelenting, but still we must find the time to check in with each other and offer support. A bit later in the meeting, Dr. King will speak about the many mental health resources that are available to students, families, and staff through OCPS. We must take advantage of these resources when we need them and encourage those around us to do the same. My heart goes out to both the Healey and Talcott communities who I know are now coming to school each day with very heart with heavy hearts. I want to express my gratitude to the staff particularly the principal out to principal Baya and principal Cameron, the CPS crisis management team and the network six team for the vital support during this time of grief. And to the school communities of Hilly and Talco, I want you
008to know that CPS is with you and that we stand ready to provide the support you need to navigate this very challenging time. I will now turn to the uplifting topic of a student post-secondary success. Our goal as a district is to ensure that when our students walk the stage at high school graduation, each of them is in the best possible position to succeed in their next chapter. For many students, the next chapter is a two or four-year college. For others is the start of a career. Whatever their path, we want our graduates to have a head start on their journey. This is where our early college and career credentials pathways come in. Today, we are joined by students and staff from CPS high schools around the city. These schools have seen notable success across
009many of our early college and career pathways including advanced placement and dual dual credit courses, international balor programs, the the state seal of bi literacy and careers in technical education. We also have three alums alumni who earned certification through our district leadership uh partnership I'm sorry with JLL and operating engineers local 399 and are now gainful employ as building engineers in our schools. I'm excited for us to celebrate the student success here today along with the wide range of opportunities that CPS provides to help our young people get ahead whatever the plans for life beyond high schools are. Last fall, we celebrated this pathway with several events throughout the city. We'll now recap those events for you in a brief video after which Megan Hoger, our Dr. Hoger, our district chief and college and career
010as success will continue today's presentation. So, let's play the video of >> the amazing opportunities for students in Chicago public schools. even exposure increases their chances of performing well uh at the career level. >> As far as like dual enrollment or dual credit, it makes me a little bit more confident when I think about my secondary option. >> When you're a student in CPS, you have the opportunity to take dual credit, to take AP, IB, to pursue your passion and other CT pathways. >> It is important. I like because all of the class week you get to have so many opportunities different experiences we get to choose what pathway we want to go to the door and for me food science we get to do like sur we get our certificate >> we don't see
011the pathways as limiting we see them as expanding opportunity and we really want to show how these opportunities work together to create access to our students post-secary goals it's amazing it's a big award for for me very important because for in in the future is help me to find a good job. >> I've been lucky enough to I was able to start taking AP classes freshman year. Um from that point to now I've been challenged academically and I've learned that I'm a lot more capable of doing what I never thought I could do. Just as symbolic of confidence I know I'm going to take with me. And thank you, Dr. Carmona. Good morning, board president Harden and board members. I'm very, very proud to be here today. I do have tissue in my pocket. Um,
012I probably will be crying, just so you know. Um this is possible because of the amazing partnership between teaching and learning and office of college and career success. When we look at everyone in the room with us, um this also represents many CPS departments. We are the educators that are leading this work, but we are also the employers and a large hiring force in the city. Our students are choosing their pathways based on their career aspirations guided by counselors, many of whom are here today, teachers, and post-secondary champions. This is a partnership with labor, business, and civic leaders that has really expanded how our students are thinking about their careers and how they see the possibilities. You Dr. Komona mentioned that CPS facilities JLL operating engineers is a great example of how we've all worked
013together to create a direct hiring pipeline in a very um amazing career opportunity that supports our students and principles but also is wealth family wealth building for our young people. And these students are pushing us. You know, anybody who's been a teacher will tell you the minute your students start to push you and ask for things and advocate for themselves is really the minute when you feel like you've done your job. And that's what we see. Our students are advocating for flexibility in pathways. They're asking for things that we hadn't even thought were possible and then holding us accountable to making that happen for them. Today you're going to hear from students and alums who have done just that. And we're going to start with a current college student and alum. >> Good morning everyone.
014Um I'm an alumni from Von Stuben and my name is Hannah Royo. I apologize. >> Have to get ready for a test. >> That was my alarm for the work that I have to do because I am currently a resident assistant at the University of Illinois Springfield. I am a second semester junior and I am majoring in social work and minoring in criminal justice. Um, I chose this specific college because it was far enough away for me to be able to discover my individual self away from family because sometimes family has more of an influence than you would imagine. Um, in addition, I felt that this college better suited me for the small campus. It was a more close environment, one-on-one time with professors. The internships there over in Springfield as the um capital of
015Illinois, they they have internships for DCFS, state police. So, there was just a lot more great opportunities if I were to be able to attend that school. And I'm currently there and I'm almost done. I'll be graduating May of 2027. Um, but I want to give thanks to Von Stuben because being there, Von Stuben helped me get to this point by providing support academically, mentally and emotionally. As a student at Von Stuben, they prepared us for the application process which all of us were stressful for for the college applications and they gave us a lot of help to be able to provide FAA and even had alternative FA to be able to help anyone who was at a disadvantage. Um, and they designated time to accomplish a skull for every individual so we can all
016be successful. We just had to show up and be there and do the best that we could in our classes. Our counselors provided honesty with the process, but also encourage encouragement to the person that we wanted to become. From there, we were able to create realistic goals for ourselves and our future. In conclusion, I wanted to give thanks to the Vaughn alumni support team for keeping in touch with opportunities even as even as I left for bigger and better things. I still receive emails from the Vaughn alumni support team um with scholarship opportunities um with other um given opportunities at other colleges if I were to continue for my masters. And it's a really great support system to still have even as I left. I also wanted to give a special thanks to my counselor
017specifically, um, Miss Aassio and Miss Ploud. Without them, I wouldn't even be here. They helped me find be able to apply for a scholarship financially, so I was even able to start um I was able to start college and I was able to pay for my books and my tuition, so I would actually be able to register for classes. Last but not least, after college, I hope to use my degree as a social worker to help other kids in need. That has been one of my passions, one of my specialties. Um, I had a social worker at Vaughn when I was going there. They helped me support emotionally and I want to be able to provide the same. Thank you. We also have Brooks joining us virtually. Good morning. >> You're having camera issues. You
018want to pull up yours? I can pull up mine. It just won't happen. Go ahead. Westinghouse come up and then >> Good morning everyone. My name is Miranda Franco and I'm currently a junior at George Westinghouse College Prep. >> Good morning everyone. My name is Mattel Jones. I'm currently a senior at West House College Prep. Um, I wouldn't say I kind of picked the AP road. Uh, that wasn't my first initial mind, but I had a a teacher who gave me kind of a push in that direction and advised me to take the A push class. Um, I kind of like history. It was like it was something new to me. I wasn't really ready for it at first. It was kind of rocky. Um but our relationship that we had, it kind of got
019me through it. It made the content easy to learn. It made the class fun to actually be a part of. And um that which led me to getting a three on my AP exam. And then um instead of stopping there, I uh enrolled in AP literature and also AP computer science my senior year while also being enrolled in a dual credit uh class with my web designing class. Um, I feel like AP classes, it made me uh a better student, but also prepared me for my future. >> Adding on to that, I actually plan to pursue a four-year college after high school um and pursue a degree in finance. Um, so I feel like essentially taking these AP courses have really prepared me for my college experience. um the rigorous classes, um the load of
020homework, um how fast the timing is and everything has really prepared me for that environment that I will be be put once I enter college. Um I'm currently taking four AP classes. Um last year I took one and then my freshman year I also took one. I passed both of those tests with the four um in AP world last year. Um so I would say that those classes have really prepared me um not just in school but outside in the real world. Um for example, I'm taking AP literature which has developed me into a better speaker, a better writer. Um which I can use those skills to incorporate in my real in uh my daytoday life. Um they prepare me better for job interviews or even simple communication with others. So those classes have essentially
021not just prepared me for college and a successful student, but also a successful person and an individual that has those skills um and can be used to be successful in real life. Thank you. forget to say your name. >> Good morning. My name is Fatim Maluna and I'm a senior at high school at Soloro High School. Um throughout my high school experience, I have participated in the seal of a literacy program taking dual credit classes and completed um eight AP classes and currently taking three more. Um these opportunities have challenged me academically and helped prepare me for the future. I chose to participate in the SEO by literacy program because Spanish was my first language and I learn later learned English and although I have always been bilingual the skill was not always recognized. It
022was just something that was like of my identity. Um speaking two languages was simply part of who I was growing up but it was not something I received acknowledgement for. Through my SE literacy I was finally able to demonstrate my proficiency and received recognition for a skill that represents my culture and identity. We live in a diverse and global society. Sorry. And knowing more than one language opens doors and creates a lot of opportunities. Being bilingual sets a path of success and pre and prepares us to enter competitive fields with confidence. Um because of this program I know that my first language is now validated and recognized as um a strength of mine. I am also first generation student which means navigating college um is going to be a little more difficult for me and
023more challenging and that's why I chose to take AP classes and dual credit courses because I want to prepare myself for the expectations in college and prove to myself that I am capable of taking these rigorous classes. Um through these experime experiences I also discover my um love for biology and plan to study biology in college this upcoming year. I cannot imagine my high school experience without programs like these. They are said they have set us up for success and push us beyond my com comfort zone and helps us recognize that I have a lot of strengths that like are now recognized. Um I am grateful for these opportunities and can't wait to see what the next steps are. Thank you. Um, if you're a bilingual science teacher, you could have any job you want
024anytime ever. By the way, um, I think is Brooks ready to come on. >> We just saw him. Yay. >> Welcome, Brooks. Hi, >> good morning. >> Okay, good morning everyone. My name is Annayia Green and I am a senior at Brooks College. I'm currently enrolled in dual enrollment and dual credit courses as I am working towards my associates degree in science. I chose a specific course path because it will be beneficial to me in the future. With this program, I am projected to graduate high school with my associates degree and graduate from the University of Illinois or Bana Champagne with my bachelor's of science and nursing in two to three years rather than a normal four to five year pathway. Looking even further into the future, this will allow me to gain nursing experience
025and begin my nurse practitioner program years earlier than I nor normally will be able to. As I came in during my seventh grade year, teachers and counselors encouraged me to take these higher level courses. Because of this, I spent all of my years at Brooks taking AP and dual credit courses that Brooks offered. While it is recommended to get onto the associates track as a sophomore or before, having these credits put me at a point where I was able to get my get on the associates track and get my associates at the end of my junior year after completing 60 credits with just a few more classes. As stated before, after high school, I plan to become a women's health nurse practitioner, obtaining my doctor's degree and possibly a certificate in midwife rate. These college
026level courses have prepared me by giving me the ability to experience college courses with college professors and get used to the pacing of college course level content. My AP and dual enrollment science courses have especially prepared me as I as I have learned college level science concepts and will be able to expand on them in college. All in all, dual enrollment and dual credit courses have played a big part in the projection of my education. They have allowed me to learn at a college level while all throughout all of my high school years, which will ensure that college will not be a foreign concept to me. Thank you all for listening and have a great day. Morning everyone. My name is Nathan Walters. I am a senior enrolled in the IB diploma program at Back
027of the Arts College Prep. I vividly remember being a sophomore and having to decide whether or not I would enroll in the and become a member of the DP cohort. Asking my upper classman and my counselors on all of the helpful staff at my high school. The decision mainly came down to whether or not I would be challenged because from what I heard, the DP program would probably be the most the hardest thing that I could put on myself in in high school. This caused me to take a long and hard look in the mirror and this is where I first asked myself, do I really want to be challenged? because that's really what the DP and IB program inspires you to do. It challenges students in order to make them exceptional and competent adults.
028And this isn't done through more course work or harder tests. It's done through long-term projects and and and fostering the mind of the students through making them more globally minded and ready to take on more personal responsibility. Our teachers aren't forced to take accountability of our work because the IB curriculum forces us to do it ourselves. Now, in a way, like never before, we're able to take on a new ownership and personal responsibility over our own work. And this is a really hard thing to do in high school and it's not possible for a program that's any less globally minded, that's any less inclusive, that's any less considerate than the IB diploma program. I personally plan to after graduating in May, I plan to pursue a degree in accounting and I could could not be
029more prepared. I could not feel more prepared than I do thanks to amazing staff that like those that are present here, my principal, principal Merz and my counselor, Mr. Selenus. I thank them sincerely because they have supported me so much. And I've also heard testimony from both alumni that I've kept in touch with and seniors, my peers at the moment, that they feel ready. they feel ready to take on the next step in their in their postsecary career. And all of that is made possible through the IB and DP programs. Thank you. >> Good morning. My name is Isabella Diaz. I am a junior at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. I am in a animal science pathway for my school. Um but I have also completed other agricultural courses such as ag introduction to
030agriculture a careers and leadership and STEM and a earned CT credentials such as my OSHA certificate and also will be completing my vette certification with OSHA this year. I also take early college courses such as dual credit Spanish this year, um, AP literature and AP government. As a senior, I hope to take dual credit environmental sciences and biology among a few other courses. I wanted to attend Chicago AD because not only the experience with the animals but also the experience in a barn knowing that I want to be a veterinarian in the future. This experience this experience will help me um with the programs I will be doing in college. Being a student at Chicago AC has provided me with so many opportunities. For some examples, I have recent this last fall I attended the
031road food prize global youth institute and I am in a seminar course talking about sustainability agriculture sustainability and conservation with the nature conservancy and roma field school. I am also in the king scholars with Brookfield Zoo and have done a veterinary mentoring program with the anti- cruelty shelter and Urbana Champagne. The University of Illinois is at your Bana Champagne. My goal after high school is to go to vet school, become a veterinarian, and go on to the path of becoming a zoologologist. I have always had a love for animals and have always had pets my whole life. I have right now I have a dog named Cleo and a turtle named Katy Leiddki, who I love very much. Um, but also just being a student at Chicago A, being able to take AP classes, dual
032credit classes, and just the CTE program like my animal science pathway is helping me prepare for the rigor I will be for the rigor I would face in college. Thank you. >> Uh, good morning everyone. Uh my name is Malachi Elliot and uh I'm a CPS graduate out of Kenwood Academy in the year 2022. Uh this journey started for me with uh attending Chicago Builds program out of Dumbar High School. And uh a special thanks to Tony Negrron for helping me choose this pathway. And a special thanks to Jones Lang Lasowl CPS and Local 399 for allowing us to have this bridge program giving young kids opportunity to have a career and uh being very on early on set. Um, I am currently a licensed operating engineer at Roosevelt High School in the north side
033and uh and have supported many other schools on all sides of the city. And uh I would just like to give a thanks to um everybody that was able to come together and give young people opportunity to um have a good career. And uh I would say it's very important especially that we have a program as to where uh kids who would like to work with their hands and um just have a positive influence on what used to be them as students now students helping the uh future of our generation. So uh like I said, thank you all for having me. And um I also have Edwin and Melanie here with me who will soon to be an engineer and another licensed engineer as well. So I think it's just good to have a uh
034just good to have representation of what this program could bring to our community and the greater Chicago. So thank you. I'm sure they're going to have questions for you all. >> Before I hand it back to Dr. Carmona, um we have 13 young people who are uh the majority of of whom are now licensed engineers. There just a few more testing in this first group. >> Uh thank you Dr. Hoger. Um I want to thank the students, educators, school leaders and partners who came together this morning to showcase uh that CPS what CPS has to offer in preparing our students for success in college and career. I want to acknowledge also uh and please raise your hand. I see some people on the side here. Uh please raise your hand. You any of the educators,
035school leaders or uh partners who help us in this process. Please raise your hand on the side. Uh please let's give them a round of applause. Um hearing that these students have achieved well what they have achieved through our triple C programs give me a great confidence that the system we have put together is positively impacting the lives of our students and particularly our city youth for generations to come. Uh and at this point I would like to open the floor if board members have any uh comments or questions for either the students or the educators. Member Paul. >> Oh, I turned the mic off. Sorry. I just want to take a quick minute to thank everybody involved. This means moms and dads, guardians, aunts, uncles, anybody who read a lot of stories to a
036kid when they were young, who took them to a museum, who did all kinds of things to inspire curiosity and learning. And I want to thank the young people here who are really working hard to make a very different future for themselves. And it's not always easy. Sometimes it involves swimming against the current, against the social pressures and stuff. And I just want to thank you for all the work you've put in. And wish you and your families and your counselors and teachers and anybody else, the lunchroom lady, whoever's been an inspiration and support to you, the best in this. Thank you. >> Member Blae. Um, I echo uh board member Pope's um sentiments for sure. Thanks to the whole community that gets you to where you need to be, but also thank you guys
037for coming here to share this with us. Um, I know you have busy lives, what with your fancy jobs and school and so forth. So, I love that you took time to come and share and give back. I hope that you also go check in with your alma modders. you go check in with your high school um high schools and grammar schools that you've left so you can show those kids um what's possible cuz you have so much to be proud of. We're very proud of you. Thank you. >> Member Zach. >> Uh what a really phenomenal presentation and it's so great to hear about the amazing programs that CPS has to offer so many of them throughout all of our high schools. Um thank you so much to the amazing young people and alums
038presenting how it has made such a difference for you all. Um I want to uh offer one suggestion or request maybe. Um I've been spending a lot of time going to um elementary schools and talking in particular to eighth graders including about all these opportunities and um I find that a number of young people don't know a real lot about the CTE programs out there. So, um I think it would be great if something was developed. I know we can't have all the eighth graders in the city running around to different places to learn about them, but um if you all could figure out a way to kind of present what are the different opportunities, I think that would um be a real eyeopener to many students who have expressed interest um you know when
039I talk about the different possibilities that are out there. So yeah, let's make it available to all the more students the amazing things that you all have taken advantage of. >> Member Gopz, >> thank you board president. Good morning everyone. Thank you for joining us this morning. It was lovely to hear the stories um hearing from students. Uh shout out to uh I think it was Patty from Solorio that I get that right. uh representing in district 7 and it one it's important to have these stories and it was as it was mentioned how do we bring them also to inspire the next generation um you know see what's possible also as a first generation student and learning how to navigate one getting into college graduating college and then a professional setting I think this
040speaks volumes thank you to the staff who've supported the students along the way um and excited to hear more about the 399 partnership and hearing that there's a individuals that are going to be getting their certification. Thank you. >> Member Dear, >> I just want to thank you all for um reminding us that young people will meet the expectations that we set for them. Um, thank you for following your curiosities, being good with your hands, you know, loving animals. You know, work is where you're going to spend a lot of your time and a lot of your life. And they say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. And so, you're also inspiring to me. I love that we're still keeping in touch with you once you finish
041high school. Thank you, social workers. Thank you, counselors. You know, it's not always family that helps us find who we are. You remind us that school leaders are vital to our identities. So, best best wishes and keep spreading this uh positive energy. We need you. Vice President Bautist. Uh >> I also just want to say thank you to the all the CPS staff and the leaders who have been been able to make it possible for the students to have these opportunities. Um I'm extremely proud of all the students. uh you guys worked your hearts out and we been able to accomplish so much and it's it's just so impressive especially with everything that's going on in the world right now to see so many young black and brown leaders like doing the thing like challenging
042the stereotype. I'm so extremely proud of you. Way to show them that that you guys are actually um the the answer to all of our problems and you're going to be the leaders in the future. So having you in these positions is so crucial and I'm just so I feel so hopeful. Uh it's been a really tough last couple of months for our city, for our country and you gave me so much hope today and I I feel like crying. So just thank you again for everything that you guys are doing. Just know that we're extremely proud of you. member Brown, >> I want to congratulate you all. Um, you should really feel good about what you're doing. Especially want to congratulate my young brother, my Bronco over there. I'm um Kimwood Academy class of
043learning. So, um, uh, congratulations. But I I I want to offer you this. Um, I had a gentleman named Hannibal Afreak. He's an ancestor now. He was a legendary educator on the west side of Chicago. He poured something into me when I was 25 years old. He said, "Your job ain't to get out the hood. Your job is to transform the hood. Change it." So, the message that board member Blae shared with you about going back to your schools and pouring into those young people like people poured into you, don't do it like you're doing charity, like you're doing somebody a favor. Do it like that's part of the universe. That's part of your responsibility. Am I making sense? Don't escape the hood. Change the hood. That's what the work is. So, thank you very
044much. >> Member Smith. >> Thank you so much. Uh I am especially proud of the students who are taking their futures into their own hands. And to echo uh Vice President Batista, uh thank you Chief Hoggard. Thank you to all of the staff at CPS. The dual credit programs are especially uh helpful and are especially uh uplifting to our students and prepare them for the world even be after they graduate high school. They're ready for the world with these dual credit programs that I would love to see spread all across uh CPS. And uh this is something that uh obviously our whole board is uh behind in terms of just how to help prepare our students for the world out of high school. Thank you CPS. Thank you Chief Hoggard. And thank you to the
045students for taking your futures into your hands. Thank you all very much. Before we proceed, I do want to note for the record that board member Smith joined the meeting virtually via Zoom at 10:36 a.m. Vice President Bautista joined the meeting at 10:39 a.m. Board member Deberry joined the meeting at 10:39 a.m. Board member Lopez joined the meeting at 10:42 a.m. and board member VeZ joined the meeting at 10:45 a.m. Thank you, >> Dr. King. We're ready for your remarks. >> Good morning, CPS family. I did Chief Hogard left, but I we do have for our annual career trades fair. The middle school does attend the annual trades fair and um Doc Chief Hoggard, could you just give a a commercial for the trades fair? Yes. Um actually middle schools attend the spotlight days at
046city colleges which we have two spotlight days for each of the city colleges. For middle school we also have summer CTE camps. We fund um high schools with CT programs to host middle school students in summer camps. And then we also have support through our office um for elementary schools, middle schools to host their own career fairs. We just had uh in the 10th ward ta Taylor elementary hosted a group um career fair with a number of trades and invited their other schools. So, the the skilled trades fairs are coming up in March and April, and we're hosting them at four union training facilities in the city of Chicago with multiple partners as well. >> Thank you. Thank you, Megan. Um, Chief Hoggard, I just wanted to highlight we are very cognizant of making sure
047that there's a pipeline to support the students once they reach high school. Thank you. And I promise I did not write these talking points with board member uh Bautista, Vice President Bautista, but it sounds eerily familiar, but I guess we are connected in our in our feelings right now about what we hear. I want to thank Chief Carmona and Chief Hoggard for leading honoring Excellence the Honoring Excellence presentation today. I also want to thank the educators and all of the students who took the time to join us sacrificing instructional time and uh work time. Hearing our students success stories fuels my hope for our district's future. It drives our work to bridge any gaps and creates a truly coherence coherent student experience that supports every child's aspirations. Although I must admit I worry about the
048world we are sending them into and how the event events unfolding around us all are shaping not only their daily lives but their futures. Our students mental health is top of mind for me right now because I've seen on recent visits to our schools, we heard from honorary board member Singleton and uh at a a recent convening of uh the student voice uh group that it is top of mind for our students and nearly every conversation I have with students especially teens the topic of mental health comes up. It's not hard to imagine why that is. Like the rest of us, our students see the chaos and the violence erupting in Minneapolis. And they see fear and an anxiety pervade their neighborhoods when federal agents appear. Students know what's happening in our country right now
049is not normal. They make that very clear. They feel more vulnerable and less safe than they used to. and they are looking to us, the adults in their lives for support. In response, I want to remind everyone of the broad range of mental health supports that are available to our students in the across the district. I also want to highlight the the department of student voice as well as a resource for our students. I want to uh just pause and go off script a little bit. I had a conversation with students at Kelly High School and thank you uh board member Lopez for attending and what resonated with me most is that the students wanted to be informed because they are very conscious of what's happening around them and they want to be assured that
050they have our support. So I just wanted to highlight that as my first step in speaking to students and letting them know that we intend for them to be heard and informed. So I do want to just go back on script now you all and uh we have at CPS increased our number of clinicians, counselors, social workers and others in our schools. And we now offer virtual mental health services to all our high school students at no cost. All of our district mental health resources can be accessed on our website at cps.edu/ mental health. I strongly encourage everyone in our CPS community to embrace these options when you need them or reach out to our mental health team at mental healthcps.edu for direct support. I want to wish everyone now a happy new year and
051a positive start to uh uh the second half of the school year. My focus for this second semester is to continue working together with focus on a shared commitment to keeping keeping our district moving forward, our students, our schools and communities in a positive direction. We remain committed to supporting our immigrant families during this challenging time and creating safe, positive learning environments where every student is welcomed, valued, and supported. We open the new year with a cherished annual event that brings energy and connection across our district. For more than 30 years, CPS has partnered with CityYear to host a day of service honoring the life, legacy, and call to action of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event took place at Morgan Park High School on Chicago's far south side. Hundreds of students, city-ear staff,
052Amir Court members, elected officials, and CPS leaders came together to paint more than 30 murals to beautify the inside of the school. Moments like this reflect the power of community and shared purpose as we carry forward this momentum into Black History Month. I want to thank all of the students, parents, staff, and community members who have answered the call to service by running for local school council later this spring. Our LSC elections are scheduled for March 18th, and I want to strongly encourage everyone in our CPS community to come out and cast your vote. LSC's make critical decisions regarding school budgets, school leadership, and many other aspects of our school's dayto-day success. I hope that everyone will take the time to get to know your LSC candidates, then cast your vote for those you feel
053will best represent what you want for your school. Again, LSC elections will be held Wednesday, March 18th, which is also report card pickup for our schools. Now, I want to provide an update on Shy Arts. In November, the board took a decisive step to ensure that the Chicago High School for the Arts, Shy Arts, remains a home for our artistically gifted students. We made a commitment to thoroughly examine the conservatory legacy while bringing it under the stable management of Chicago public schools. While a formal funding resolution is not on today's action agenda, I want to be very clear. The work has not stopped and our commitment has not wavered. We communicated to the community that a decision would be made in January. However, we have examined the financial gap required to sustain the conservatory model.
054It has become clear that proceeding with a business as usual model today would be premature. To honor the legacy of Shy Arts, we must ensure that the financial model is not a short-term one-year bridge, but a sustainable permanent part of our infrastructure. As CEO, I cannot responsibly finalize a funding model that introduces systemic disparities among our 72 fine and performing arts schools without fully exploring a sustainable shared resource model. We are assessing whether this gap can be addressed without diverting essential resources from our other priorities. While we're assessing the financials, the incubation of the school is moving full speed ahead. The advisory and design leadership council is in place. The council is composed of parents, staff, students, and community representatives and will support the successful transition and incubation process of the Shy Arts community going
055forward. The principal selection is also underway and we will share details soon about your opportunity to participate in the process and continue shaping the direction of your school leadership. To the Shy Arts community, we hear you and we recognize both your ambition and your anxiety. We are taking this time to get it right because you, our students, deserve a school and a conservatory that isn't just surviving yeartoear on external resources, but one that is permanent, a permanent thriving part of the CPS family. Because we value the trust of the Shy Arts parents, students, and Shy Arts Foundation, we are taking the next 30 days to finalize the internal resource alignment. And we do want to be in alignment. We are not rushing a halfbaked plan. We are ensuring that when we launch in 2026 through
0562027 school year, the school has a foundation that's fiscally fiscally solvent and operationally sound. We will continue to post transitions updates to our website cps.edu/shyarts. We will continue to engage all of our partners and and and continuously take the feedback. I also want to specifically acknowledge member vivas and the board regarding recent community engagement. As the process moves forward, we pledge, I pledge to be more intentional about involving the board members in a collaborative effort so that management and governance move in lock step. It is important that we get this right and that we get this together and that our students are assured that as adults we support them. I want to thank all of the um No, that's so thank you. I'll move on to an update on student transportation. We are able to
057launch our hub stop ear program earlier than expected in mid November and I'm glad to report that even more general education students than last school year are taking advantage of this option. In fact, the overall number of students who are now able to access bus transportation is up 10% compared with where we were at were this time last year. I congratulate our transportation team on this success and thank them for their tireless effort to provide as many students as possible with bus transportation. I have another positive update to share this time on the academic side. After expanding both access and quality of instruction, CPS saw tremendous growth in our middle grades algebra initiative during the 2024 2025 school year, particularly among students who are furthest from opportunity. For example, just over 1,000 black middle grade
058students took algebra in 2019. In 25 2025, that number more than doubled and the number of these students achieving competency in algebra nearly tripled. Over 8,877 students took the algebra exit exam in the spring of 2025, which is our highest participation rate ever. Even more encouraging, these students achieved a 60.2 two pass rate, which is highest. It's the highest since CPS began offering this specific exam in 2013. Mastering algebra by 8th grade empowers students to take advantage of our district's early college strategy, which with more than 70% of students who place out of nth grade algebra going on to take college level math before they graduate. This is more than double the overall student rate. This path also gives students the opportunity to take more rigorous electives that will stretch them to their maximum potential
059and better prepare them for careers in the fast growing STEM fields. I congratulate our district's math team, our algebra instructors, and most importantly, our middle-grade students on this promising growth. Moving to SNAP benefits effective February 1st. As of this Sunday, February 1st, significant changes will go into effect regarding eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. These changes were originally scheduled to begin in December of 2025, but were pushed back in February. We know that the impending changes to SNAP, the SNAP program will be challenging for many of our families. Fortunately, they will not impact students receiving meals at schools. Every CPS student will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch at school every single day. While SNAP is a federal program not under CPS control, our district has
060been working to make sure that our families understand the changes and know where to access meals and groceries if they need support. All of this information is available on our website at cps.edunap. Mr. President, this con concludes my prepared remarks. >> Thank you, Dr. King. We'll open it up for comments or questions. Member Bannon. >> Uh Dr. King, u I just wanted to uh uplift some comments that I heard at an LLC meeting that I attended recently about uh special education classroom assistance. I know it's been brought up before and I know you've been working on it, but uh the KTLSC took the time to send you a letter um to highlight some of the issues that they've been having. So, I just wanted to uh honor their commitment, honor their work on this and
061um they're using their LSC power to make sure this issue continues to be addressed. Um they're looking for earlier allocation review, streamlined approval, summer planning, alignment, and direct administrative consultant consultations to um uh you know, make sure they get the the special education classroom assistance that they need. So, just want to bring that to your further attention. I appreciate the work you've been doing on this already and um uh the KTY LSC uh wants to see uh more improvement as we all do. Thank you, >> member Lopez. >> Thank you, board president. Thank you, superintendent, for visiting the seven district in particular. So, welcoming students over at Healey and then heading over to Kelly High School to have that very deep and understanding conversation with their students. um a lot that we took from that
062and was very similar to what we heard last week with the student voice committee. Um so looking forward to see how we can implement some of those items. I also did want to thank you for your comments regarding the support for immigrant students as we keep on we know that federal agents are going to come back to Chicago. We just don't know when, right? And taking a proactive approach. So, I thank you and your team for those weekly briefings and continuing partnership working with the board and how we better we better set ourselves up for addressing and working with rapid response teams with nonprofits in the communities and also our safe passage. Thank you. >> President Harden, the Spanish translator will now translate Dr. King's statement into Spanish as a condensed statement. If you wish
063to wish to receive the fully translated statement, please contact the board office for assistance. experencia. Minnesota. Chicago Mental health. records. City Morgan Park Luther King Jr. Second arts. Hub stop. In comparison, Algebra exit exam. As nutrition is ino media. snap. This concludes the remarks. Thank you, >> Vice President Bautista. >> Thank you so much for the update, CEO King. Um, I'm also really thrilled about the arts project at Morgan Park. My neighborhood hosts um a yearly mural um event, mural event where like 80 to 120 artists come from all over the city and um the country and and also um just um worldwide to uh flood the walls around Commercial Avenue and South Chicago Avenue. And for our students to be able to have murals in their schools and in their communities that reflect um
064our culture, our music, uh is so important because then they feel like they belong. And so I just want to encourage you to keep going and for our arts projects. You know, I know we're dealing with a a serious issue with Shy Arts. All of our students deserve to have um strong, you know, arts programs in their schools and in their communities. So just keep going. And I I want to just reaffirm my support for um for these kind of projects. So, thank you. I'm really excited about the murals at at Morgan Park and I can't wait to go see them. >> Are there any other comments or questions for Dr. King? >> Member Rivas. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Um so, thank you, Dr. King. Uh, one of the things that I I
065want to bring up, uh, we know we're going to hear from a lot of the Shy Arts families today. Um, and I I welcome that, uh, we'll continue this, uh, process, but know that, um, I have full confidence in the district as we're working together, uh, with so many folks to ensure that we get this right. Um, and that, uh, we're not rushing. We know that we um have lots of work to do together along with community uh to ensure that we're providing a great and equitable experience um for everyone involved. So, thank you Dr. King. >> Any other questions or comments for Dr. King? >> Member Lopez. >> Thank you. Um was not directly part of your comments, but I think it's important. And I also want to thank the INI department for the
066uh monthly community meetings they're hosting for D5 AO schools that are transitions to district manage. So please if you are interested the website on the CPS side has when those meetings are and again thank you to you and to your team for hosting those meetings. I had the opportunity to attend Tamayo and Gage Park and hearing also from you know the parents getting the answers that they need and also the staff as this transition continues on. Thank you. >> We'll move on now to committee updates and member Brown, can you share with us an update on the Black Student Achievement Committee? >> Thank you uh Mr. President. Uh, member Blae and I are excited to share that the application window to join the Chicago Boards of Education's Black Student Achievement Committee is reopening on Monday,
067February the 2nd. The ex this extension ensures that all key stakeholder groups have a fair and accessible opportunity to apply and share their voices in this important work, guaranteeing that our membership reflects the robust diversity of the communities we serve. This is the final opportunity to apply before the selection process moves forward. Visit the board's website at cpsb.org to access the application beginning Monday, February 2nd at 9:00 a.m. The window will close promptly on Monday, February 9th at 5:00 p.m. Thank you very much. >> Member Boyce, >> thank you um for sharing that with everybody, board member Brown. And we just want to underscore we had to open the application up because there were still so many people that wanted to get involved. We want to make sure that we give everybody a chance. Um
068and if you don't make it to the actual committee, there's going to be advisory committees. We we want your voices. So if you can apply, if you don't make it all the way, stay stay in touch because we want to hear from it's going to take all of us together to get to where we want to go. So thank you so much and thanks for sharing that. Thank you both. We'll now proceed with today's public participation session. Thank you for joining to share your comments with the board. And in compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, public participation, sometimes referred to as public comment, is a portion of the board meeting or hearing that grants district stakeholders the opportunity to address the board with their concerns and comments. Note that public participation is a time
069for the board and CPS senior leadership to listen and hear from you rather than a time for dialogue with board members during or after your remarks. And while we can't discuss personnel matters, public participation is a key component of transparent governance and it provides us as board members as well as senior leadership an opportunity to listen to everyone who has signed to speak. The board takes equity of voice seriously and while we may not address your comments directly during public participation, CPS leadership is always present at our meetings and are able to address concerns as follow-ups after the meeting. And as a district and as a board, we also have many other spaces for authentic dialogue. For example, each and every one of our board members host board office hours so that we can have
070a conversation. Please use our website cpsbboe.org or if you want to meet with the board member during office hours. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with board members outside of a board outside of a board meeting. And we thank you for your attention and consideration. As a reminder, union representatives will be allotted 5 minutes to speak before public participation and elected officials will be allowed five minutes to speak after the conclusion of public participation. Board Secretary, please share the rules for public participation. Thank you, President Harden. Members of the public who registered to speak were given the option to attend in person or via an electronic format. For those who prefer to attend via an electronic format, they were given information to access this meeting by dialing a number and
071using their phone. We did this so that speakers with limited or no access to the internet or who may have weak internet connection could still participate using their phones. Also, members of the public may submit written comments for board of education meetings via the written comments form on the board's website at cpsb.org or mailed to 42 West Madison Street Garden level. Written comments received between the day the public agenda was posted through 5:00 p.m. the day after the board of education meeting will be submitted to the board and published within five business days on our website at cpsbee.org. Speakers, please listen. Listen while I provide directions for public participation. I will call on your name and number when it is your turn to speak. For speakers joining us virtually, as a reminder to unmute, please
072enter star six. Once you hear your name, please state your name for the record. I will then start the two-minute timer. When there are 30 seconds remaining, I will inform you so that you can proceed to conclude your remarks to allow for the next speaker to begin. For anyone standing with the speaker, note that in order to comply with the city's fire code, please stand along the glass partitions on the mark spots to keep aisles clear. Thank you, President Harden. Before we begin calling speakers from the speakers list, we do have union reps who would like to address the board. We'll begin with Jackson Potter, CTU vice president, who is here in person. Good morning. Um, when I was teaching during COVID, I partnered with the award-winning Pulitzer Center to develop a budget exercise for
073students that allowed them to have some agency and email the board and the superintendent around their thoughts and ideas for what COVID funds should prioritize. Uh they mentioned mental health a lot to your um valid point, Superintendent King. So I was disappointed and confused to hear we have a member right now attending a conference in Boston in Massachusetts where they passed a millionaire's tax. They have seen no decrease in funding since CO uh assistance has expired. In fact, they've seen improvements in school finance because they implemented a millionaire's tax. We now hear the speaker of the house speaking openly every day about the possibilities of having a referendum to enact a millionaire's tax here in Illinois, which would fully fund EBF, which is one of your political priorities. So, I don't really understand why we
074wouldn't grant conference leave to an excellent educator going to a conference to bring back ideas how we can win the funding to fully resource schools in Chicago. That can evolve into curriculum that can be a a way to help all of our school communities understand what the stakes are and how to advocate and how to enact their agency in this moment. Similarly, we are asking the district to help us send a contingent of school families, educators, administrators to Springfield on February 17th. It is a state day of action where all kinds of school board members, school communities across the state, the IEA and the IFT are banding together to demand fully funding our schools, taxing the wealthy, pulling back the breaks that Trump administration gave, which was the largest transfer of wealth from the top
075from the bottom to the top in world history. We got to get that money back into our buildings. So, we are asking you to partner with us. Don't say, "Oh, it's a principal directed day, therefore we can't do anything." Ask the principles, "Would you be willing to send a staff member for this critical feature of our district's advocacy?" Uh, you are facing down a worse situation this year than last year. We don't have a tiff surplus yet for school year that's coming. We don't have um, you know, asurances that the county won't be delayed again, requiring massive tax anticipation notes being pulled out of, you know, uh, money. we don't have with banks and finance um in addition to deficits that are projected. So this is an emergency. We should be further ahead this year
076than we were last year and it doesn't feel that way. Lastly, I want to mention that we are going to make a formal demand for impact bargaining around ICE and border patrol and their operations that are as um board member Lopez has indicated going to worsen. You can switch out Bino for Homeman. It doesn't make a damn bit of difference. They're the same operators. They're going to continue to increase forces in our cities. Trump has already indicated Chicago's on their hit list. And we know what's happening in Minneapolis. What we've learned is that educators are creating more robust agreements with their districts in Minnesota and St. hall around remote learning options because they've had to deliver food to children whose families can't leave their homes for fear of abduction, for fear of being pepper-sprayed, pepper
077balls, death, uh to protesters or people just advocating for themselves. And even that's not an assurance because we see they're not respecting the right to unlawful search and seizure, to no unlawful search and seizure. They're knocking down doors without permits now. So, we've got to adapt to these new this new terrain which is more vicious and traumatic. Uh, and that means all of our systems have to improve. Ready or not, here they come. Um, that also might require to, you know, the comments you made around SNAP benefits. St. Paul educators are creating mutual aid and they're putting um, you know, groceries in their union hall so that families can come get them. Uh Leggler Library is putting a food pantry inside the library. We probably should be talking to the food depository about can we
078adapt that program to schools immediately because it's going to be increasingly necessary. How do we unleash our educators spirit to have solidarity by enabling them to volunteer on walking school buses? Instead, we have a lot of bureaucratic red tape where principles tell people you can't do that. Too much liability. that's not going to going to be adequate for uh the the conditions we face. Thank you for your time this morning. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Our next union rep is Caroline Rutherford, CTU charter division chair, vice chair, who is here in person. Good morning, members of the board. CEO King, he's here. I know. Thank you for the update on the transition plan for Shy Arts for next school year. Maintaining the dedicated 15 hours of pre-professional arts training provided by Shy Arts
079is possible, but over reliance on philanthropy has proven to be unstable. The conclusion parents, teachers, staff, and the community members have come to is that CPS can't leave them having to worry about whether their school school may lose its defining program year after year. There needs to be committed funds for stability, and it sounds like you all agree. We know that funding for all of our schools in Chicago is insufficient, and we are hopeful CPS and this board will see the value of investing in the arts programming offered at this school. There are other programs, specialy programs, models in CPS like international balorate, early STEM schools, career and tech education and military and JOTC programs that are provided with additional funding by CPS in order for those programs to flourish for our students. We heard
080stories from students and those programs today. And it is worth investing in Shai Arts so that many of our budding Chicago artists have a place to call home to. We believe an investment in this school will be a huge asset for the city of Chicago and a new opportunity and a new model for the CPS department of arts education to invest in its arts education for students who come from all over the city. having students come here to share their success stories about theater and dance, being in the opera, storytelling, mural painting. Um, it's just as vital as the stories that we heard today and we think that Shy Arts is the model to make that possible. The students at Epic Academy need your support as well. I am sure you could have predicted that
081when the school announced it would be closing after this year, the staff needed to make adjustments for their own careers and futures and there are several vacant teaching positions at Epic and students are suffering the con consequences of the school closure now even before the doors are closed. The school and remaining staff are doing their best to serve and support the students, but what what is really needed is additional full-time staff. and we presented some solutions to CPS and we hope that they will make they will work with us to fully staff the school. We are asking your for your support in providing the students at Epic with teachers in every classroom that the students need so that their educa their high school education experience will not be interrupted even further. We are thankful CPS
082has provided funding advances to Aspira to ensure Aspira has continued to make payroll and keep their schools functioning. But of course at some point there will be no more money to advance this year. And so we're looking to both Aspira and CPS and asking what is the plan to make it to the end of the year. CPS has a responsibility to protect students from a mid-year closure and a responsibility to protect the district from charter operators running their schools recklessly. We want to ensure we're right we're not right back here in this exact same situation next year. Students, families, and staff shouldn't be wondering every couple of weeks if their school is going to close. And we believe these crises are avoidable. CPS has a responsibility to provide oversight and should implement financial remediation processes
083much sooner than it currently does. You can review up-to-date financial information instead of board reports that are two years old. You can reject charter budgets when they depend on wildly unrealistic uh enrollment increases. And you can jump into action when red flags turn up as a warning when the charter company might be headed toward financial challenges instead of waiting for them to threaten amid your closure. Support and re remediation should happen early enough to prevent a situation like a Spiras instead of trying to mitigate the damage as the crisis is already unfolding. And finally, we are in contract negotiations with Youth Connections Leadership Academy, otherwise known as YCLA, and we are hopeful to reach an agreement with them soon. But there are a few sticky points I want to reach. I want to highlight one
084of them today. The employer thus far has continued to reject any paid parental leave for our members at YCLA. They are insisting on not a single day of paid leave for a member with a new child, no matter how many years they've dedicated to the school. This is especially disappointing since the district has led the way and set the standard for 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all CPS employees. And we believe that all educators and school staff deserve paid parental leave and having the benefits that are comparable to the district is essential in recruiting recruiting and retaining staff. Paid parental leave supports DPS families. It strengthens our schools and it's the right thing to do for educators. As always, we thank you for your hard work and dedication to protect our students and
085to fight for the schools that our students deserve. Thank you so much. >> Thank you for your comments. The next union rep is Tmaine Reeves, SEIU Local 73 director of CPS division, who is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. Good morning. Well, good afternoon, I should say. Uh, but good afternoon, board president Harden, board members, and CEO King. Today, I want to talk about pride, specifically the pride that SEIU Local 73 members have and the service that they provide to the students and parents of Chicago public schools. So about a week ago, various news media outlets recognized the dedication of one of our own crossing guards, Joseph Sass. He was so committed to student safety that he literally placed a student across his shoulders in order to cross the student to the
086other side of the street safely. The intersection was covered with a harmful combination of ice, sleet, and snow. And the student, based on the videos uh from the media, looked like it' be a smaller student. And so, you know, the minimum requirement will call for simply call for the crossing guard to simply stand in the middle of the street with a stop sign so that students can cross to the other side. But Joseph Sass, like so many other crossing guards, they do not do the bare minimum when it comes to safely crossing the public across city of Chicago intersections as they can be very hectic and sometimes dangerous. Our crossing guards take pride in doing everything they can to keep the public safe. And that is what the students, the parents, and CPS staff deserve,
087the best that can be possibly be given. And so we ask that the members of SEIU Local 73 be provided with the right working conditions to continue to give their best and not simply do good enough. The seekers and cluster classrooms should not be forced into a student IEP student to seek ratio of 1 to2 based on an outdated state law that was last amended in 2009. Our seekers are committed to the safety and quality of education for all sped students. So the board can do better than the minimum that the state calls for. This board can commit to a smaller ratio in the interest of student safety and quality of education. Our board custodians have an increased workload due to 500 fewer custodians than last school year. The various afterchool activities and programs across
088the district has not increased, but the workforce has decreased. And to make it clear, I'm not encouraging that activities and programs be cut. We want them to stay in place because they are much needed for our students. But our custodians cannot be expected to produce the same results of cleanlin cleanliness with 500 less workers cleaning the buildings. Studies show that students learn and test better in learning environments that are clean and safe. The district must prioritize increasing resources to facilities management immediately so that this workforce can be restored and the level of cleanliness that they've proven to be able to execute with our board custodians can resume. SEIU Local 73 is here to discuss strategies to increase funding to the district and we are ready to meet sooner rather than later. We know that the
089budget for school year 2026 2027 will be upon us um and will be presented soon. So we want to meet with the district to discuss solutions. Thank you all for your attention to my comments. Have a great day. >> Thank you for your comments. The next union rep is Shiao Dan Lee Unite Local One Treasurer who is here in person. Good afternoon members of the board. Dr. King. I am the treasurer of Unite Hero Local 1, Chicago's Hospitality Workers Union. I'm also the mother of two CPS students who attend Skinner North Classical School and STEM Magnet Academy. I'm here today on behalf of 1,700 Chicago public school lunchroom workers represented by our union to call on the board of education to sign a fair contract. CPS lunchroom workers have been without a contract for over
090seven months. Lunchroom workers are the lowest paid workers inside Chicago public schools. A CPS lunchroom attendant makes $22,000 less per year than a CPS custodian. In last September, our union released a report that details the struggles CPS lunchroom workers face because of the low wages. I have brought copies of the report for you today. Our report shows that 70 uh 67% of surveyed CPS lunchroom workers reported having trouble paying for food and one in five surveyed CPS lunchroom workers reported that their families have visited food banks. This is unacceptable. Every day the board fails to settle a fair contract is another day CPS lunchroom workers struggle to feed their own families. It is time for this board to stop the unequal treatment of CPS lunchroom workers and sign a fair contract now. Thank you. >>
091Thank you for your comments. We'll start to call uh speakers from the speakers list and we will begin with the group from Asero Astred Cop. Speaker number one. Good morning. My name is Astra Cox. I am a proud parent of the fifth grader and third grader at Hovar. My children right now have a growing love for math and problem solving. They enjoy their teachers, their classrooms, and being part of the Eid school community. Every morning they are excited to walk through those doors to learn, to connect with their friends, and to see the teachers who inspire them. I chose Aero because of its strong academic focus and the supportive welcoming community it has created for all of us. Our children receive constant support and we see that reflected in their grades and test scores. As
092a parent, I feel heard, valued, and supported and I know my children are in good hands. Beyond supporting my children, I also support the school. As an active parent volunteer, I participate in school activities, attend field trips, and yearly events. I especially appreciate that EDAT offers not only programs for our children, but for parents as well. That shows that it understands the importance of partnership that working together ensures our children's academic success. In conclusion, ASTO deserves a longer renewal so that its schools can remain open and continue serving our communities without interruption. A longer renewal means stability for our children, consistency in their education, and continued access to opportunities that schools, >> you have 30 seconds remaining, >> provide our our parents and students deserve strong, reliable schools right here in our own community. Thank
093you for your time and consideration. Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Arendira Serrano. Speaker number six. Good afternoon, president, CEO, and distinguished board members. My name is Erena Srano and my daughter attends Zumbbo Acetero where she is currently in fifth grade. Her favorite subject is math. She finds it both challenging and engaging. I chose Acetto because I wanted a school with a high quality education and Zumbo stood out. In fact, it was ranked number two among elementary charter schools in Illinois in 2021. My daughter started at Zumbo in kindergarten during COVID and I was deeply impressed by the teachers dedication. Even when I even through e-learning, they kept students focused, engaged, and learning. From custodians to counselors, teachers, and faculty, every member of the Zumbo community makes a difference. Zumbo is a
094large inclusive community that encourages students to grow every day. I see this firsthand as a regular volunteer. Whether printing, coordinating events, or chaperoning field trips, I am proud of the Zumbo's inclusive environment where all cultures are celebrated, especially during our yearly event, Taste of Zumba, where families come together to share food, music, traditions from around the world. I truly believe Ato should receive a renewal because it makes a meaningful difference in our community. A renewal ensures stability for students, teachers, and staff, prevents disruption for our children, and allows this amazing community to continue fostering growth, learning, and opportunity. >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from Monero is Francisco Genan, speaker number 14. Good afternoon, president, CEO, and distinguished
095board members. My name is Francisco Gaitan, and my children attend Acero SPC Daniel Zizumbo. My daughter, Emma Rose Gan, is in second grade, and my son, Isaac Alejandro Gaitan, is in kindergarten. We chose Ato because we wanted a better school than what our immediate community could offer. We do not live in the best part of Chicago, so it was important to us to find a school with strong ratings, positive recommendations, and safe and supportive environment. Zen Zumbbo met all those expectations. I strongly believe that parents should be involved in their children's education, which is why I'm volunteer at the school. I enjoy supporting teachers whenever possible, attending field trips with my children, participating in after school events, and serving as the BAC president for our school for the second year. I am proud of Sarah
096and his commitment to supporting not only students but parents as well. I understand that managing finances of such a large organization is challenging. Yet Aero continues to provide valuable resources such as padres compro and various workshops that help families stay engaged by supporting teachers and parents. Aero allows us to work together to shape our children's futures. >> You have 30. >> Conclusion. I believe Aero should be granted a longer renewal period. A longer renewal per period provides peace of mind to families like mine who do not plan on moving or changing schools. It removes the uncertainty of where our children will continue their education and gives parents the confidence, motivation to remain committed and supportive of the school community. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you for your comments. The next group
097of speakers are from the Chicago High School for the Arts. Speaker number three, Sean Wallace. Greetings CPS board. My name is My name is Sean Oales and I teach vocal technique and repertoire songwriting uh to seniors and freshmen and I also work running sound for many of our performances. Um, I'm here to continue to encourage you to move forward with keeping and fully funding our conservatory model at SH Arts that has proven its effectiveness since its inception. Students get at least three hours of arts instruction a day, five hours of academic instruction per day. Now, that ultimately equals a 40hour week of instruction. So they're working a full-time job. Charts achievements are possible due in large part to our teaching staff. We need double the amount of teachers to serve our students for that amount
098of time and give them keep that high level of instruction. We need the assurance to know that we have that time and the resources needed to continue our commitment to our students and their families. Our students strive for excellence. Many of our seniors have already received acceptance letters from institutions near and far like USC, the Paul Theater School, Berkeley College of Music, Roosevelt University, UIC and University of Illinois uh and in Champagne where I went >> school of the art institute of Chicago and many are already working in the industry. Now, smaller cities like Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Birmingham, Alabama, have fully funded public arts conservatory high schools, like our beloved Bears ask themselves, why not us? We do our version every day of good, better, best at Shy Arts. So, let's continue expanding the
099flagship public conservatory arts high school in the state of Illinois. And a city like Chicago actually deserves three of them. So, let's continue supporting the one we got. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. >> The next speaker is Lisa Miranda, speaker 11. >> Thank you. Good afternoon. I want to offer you a number to hold in your mind. 560. 560 is the number of scholar artists currently in CHI arts. But it is also the number of students auditioning to join us in fall 26 26 560. Despite threats of closure, ongoing uncertainty about the conservatory's future, and declining enrollment across CPS, Chicago children are still saying, "Shy arts is where I belong. They look at our diverse community and see their people. They look at our rigorous academics and pre-professional conservatory training and believe
100that this is where they can become who they are meant to be. They look at our teachers and our teaching artists and trust that these are the mentors who are going to get them there. Those students have convinced their families that shy arts will be okay. that we are not falling apart, that the adults in this room have got this. And so they acted on that belief. They gathered their best work. They practiced, rehearsed, revised. They prepared. >> You have 30 seconds remaining. >> That this opportunity would still exist when when their turn came. What a remarkable leap of faith. And that faith is real. It is fragile and it is being tested by the timing of your decision because on February 13th, 560 students will open an email that will shape the course of
101their lives. When that moment comes, they should be able to celebrate without hesitation, knowing they were right to trust us, knowing that Shy Arts Conservatory is stable, fully funded, and staffed by the teaching artists they need and deserve. >> Please conclude your remarks. They have done their part. Please, please do yours. Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Casey Welden, speaker number 15. Lisa, please proceed. >> Good afternoon. I'm Casey Weldon, a visual arts conservatory instructor at Shy Arts. I'm requesting that you, our CPS board, commit to fully funding our entire 8 to5 school day and retaining our current faculty and staff. I'm wearing a shirt that my student Jonah specifically made for me to wear today to demonstrate and reiterate that to save shy arts in whole is for the students and
102their best interest. It was sewn and designed with the skills taught in our wearable sculpture and color theory classes. Jonah is a visual arts major and he has a gaggle of friends all deeply invested in various forms of visual arts making. Our students and instructors shared passions are brought together in a way that molds innate talent into concrete skills. vocabulary and confidence. From freshman to senior year, our scholar artists grow in critique through critical discourse in art studios, on stage, in time, and in rhythm. Together, together is how we belong. Funding our school's unique 8 am to 5:00 pm program is an investment in our city's youth, similar to those you make across the district in IB programs, ROC programs, CTE programs, and other offerings that help students take a supercharged leap towards their future.
103A school staffed with professional artists, all currently working in the Chicago arts community, equips students with the necessary connections, language, and artistry that they need to succeed in the creative workforce. This is something that the district themselves makes clear in their commitment to its arts 2.0 plan. Our school is an asset to every neighborhood in this city. We as faculty and staff have worked hard to create this culture and curriculum, and our students and families deserve consistency. Shy arts students are waiting in nervous anticipation for the resolution CPS officials put forth and the board votes on because y'all are capable of making Shy Arts an incredible publicly funded art high school. We have heard that you like our programs, but will you show your beliefs and values through the funding of our full day and
104retaining our teachers? Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Rosemary Vega, speaker 22, who is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. >> Hello, my name is Rosemary Vega and I am here as a voice for the families of Shai Arts to demand true inclusion. We are a community of scholar artists who have been blindsided by the decision made behind closed doors. While we are relieved the school will stay open, the transition process itself has been deeply difficult and traumatic for our children. The reality of the transition is that CPS promised a collaborative transition. Yet, we are facing a profound lack of transparency. Our students who have already endured the uncertainty of a possible closure now feel like bystanders in their own education. This isn't just a logistic
105logistical shift. It's a disruption of a safe space where they once felt seen and supported. The illusion of inclusion in the current principal selection process is the latest latest example of this performative inclusiveness. We were told there will be an adversary committee implying a communitydriven search for leadership that understands the unique model of the conservatory. Instead, we have been handed a list of three pre-selected candidates. This is not a choice to us. This is an ultimatum. True inclusion means having a seat at the table when the table is being built, not just being asked to pick the color of the tablecloth. Shy Arts is a lifeline for Chicago's young artists. Our students are not experiencing 30 seconds. School is not a training camp. We are here to ensure that the new Shy Arts honors the
106spirit of the old ones by actually listening to the people who make it thrive. Dear board members, President Harden, we call upon you to do what is right by many of Chicago's students. Show them the love. Show them the money. Show them the investment. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Guadalupy Leon, speaker 27. >> Hello board and community members. Y soy shy arts. I am shy arts. I said that in my first speech and I'm here to say it again. My name is Wal Lupe Leon and I'm been a Spanish teacher for 14 years. The most recent seven have been here at Shy Arts. I appreciate the update that you've given, but due to the actions of our executive director, say it out loud, Tina Boyer Brown, and the
107school board, we continue the need to advocate in this space to save our school. During my time here at Shy Arts, I have learned that community is all we have. Throughout constant changes in leadership, detrimental vacancies in my own department, and issues with scheduling, our students and staff are actually who weather the storm. In my experience, there is nothing worse than a group of leaders who move through times of transition by creating change without clear transparency. And I fear that is what's happening here. Now again, as part of the evaluatory council myself, I'm left with more questions than answers. Our school community needs CPS to commit to preserving our our current school model for the next year to keep our school stable in this massive transition. 15 hours of pre-professional training, our wonderful cultural programming,
108the courses we offer, and of course, our staff. It is the people in the building that make Shy Arts come to life. It's the who's who of educators that students lean on daily. Every day I stand out in the hallway during transitional periods. I'm overwhelmed by students wanting all of the things. Band-aids, questions about homework, gossip, help with friends, share to share the latest pieces of art. This is our school culture at its core. Please let us continue what we have been we have loved doing being the professional educators by committing to our staff in writing so we can focus on the well-being of our students and community and ensure that our school structure offers stability for all of our students. Thank you. Gracias. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is JB
109Jerole, speaker number 29. How does the artist survive with a boot on their neck? How does that same boot go home, stream the music, watch the films, scalp the tickets, emulate the style, relate to the deep emotion, and still sleep soundly at night with the heavy weight of killing the artist? How many decades will they minimize, steal, and destroy the artists? You have the power to turn this around. Remove your blind eye to the suffering and breathe life and reverence back into the artists in the absolute necessity of their work. There once was a time when art was held in highest regard, respected, cherished, protected, and not just for celebrity. We the artists create change. We the artists fight wrongs. We the artists make peace. We the artists show compassion and empathy. We the artists
110don't take. We give to all freely and openly the gift of expression. Expression that is craved, purchased, consumed, coveted all the while with little to no regard for the artist. Our deaths monetize the boots on our necks. Without us, there is no release. You can try your breathing apps, but I guarantee that nothing touches one's soul without art. We have patiently with cander answered all of your concerns. We have pleaded our case and made ourselves very clear. There should be no question as to what the heartbeat of this city, this world is. Therefore, now we demand salvation and grace for the artists, conservatories, mentors, and principle. >> This is your greatest opportunity. Remove the boot. Make a new path. Building solid guidelines. Protect our shy arts model. Show them how it's done when you have
111gratitude for all of the doers and makers around you. Keep the artists highly educated. Respect their journey. Ensure their success. And accept personal pride in reciprocating to a world that has been contributing to yours since the beginning of time. Fully fund the arts. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from the Chicago High School for the Arts is Dara Miller. Speaker number 30. Hello board members and community supporters. Thank you for hearing us today. My name is Dara Miller and I've spent well over a decade as an English teacher at Shy Arts. I moved to Chicago from Kentucky to take a chance on a new school that sounded like my dream job and I'm so proud of what we've built as Shy Arts. I may work on the academic side of
112the school day in our unique conservatory model, but I am here today because I too love the arts and I have seen the impact that a strong and consistent support network of teachers has on the lives of our scholar artists. Shy arts teachers are there for our students long after graduation. And I have seen the same kinds of life-changing results that we heard about from students this morning from our professional training program at Shy Arts. In order to keep developing Chicago's young artists, Shy Arts needs teachers who understand the importance of arts as a daily practice, who see our students conservatory specialties as an asset to their academic growth. We understand how to shape core classes into incubation spaces for interdisciplinary work that fosters student connection and supports their growth as artists. Shy arts needs
113the stability of its teachers. In the wake of the pandemic, we have gone through at least 10 different administrators and now our students face the uncertainty of this transition. Throughout all of this, the teachers have been the constant that students and families count on to hold our community together. Right now though, that constant is threatened by the lack of clear communication from CPS about our futures at Shy Arts. I have students ask me almost daily if I will still be here next year. And the best that I can tell them is that I hope so. We don't know if we will have positions next year. need to interview for them when interviews will happen or what they might look like. The longer we go without knowing, the more likely it is that our teachers across
114the arts and academics will have to seek employment elsewhere, unraveling the fabric of our school community. Our teachers love Shy Arts, and we want to be part of shaping the new path forward. CPS leaders have made it clear they are looking to this board for direction. Please commit in writing to absorbing our Shy Arts teachers along with our school. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next two speakers are from the University of Chicago Charter School. Donald Gordon, speaker number four. >> Good morning. I am the proud head of campus and high school principal at the University of Chicago Charter Woolong campus. in this role have had the privilege of leading a rigorous and student centered academic program on the south side of Chicago specifically within the historic Woodline community. We respectfully requesting
115a 5-year charter renewal renewal to continue the legacy for the Woodlon community. Over the last three years since our most recent renewal cycle, UCW has achieved a number of significant milestones. We've celebrated a record-breaking year for college scholarships with our students earning over $75 million last school year. For three consecutive years, UCW has earned an ISBY rating of commendable and we have fully implemented restorative systems and routines across our campus, strengthening our culture and community. Additionally, we've completed the construction of a state-of-the-art football and track field, expanding opportunities for students and serving as a powerful community asset in the Woodland community. These accomplishments solidify UCW as an essential educational anchor for students, families, and partners throughout the community. One of the defining qualities of UCW is our commitment to providing students with high quality instruction
116and meaningful learning experiences beyond the walls of our campus. We continue to cultivate strong partnerships with organizations such as Chicago Builds, Urban Alliance, Hidden Genius, and many others. Through these collaborations, students access real life, real world experiences that expand their aspirations, support, and educational journeys and inspire them to become change agents within Chicago and beyond. Because of our strong academic program, robust partnerships, and commitment to student accessess, UCW remains a destination school on the south side of Chicago. While many of our neighboring schools face enrollment challenges and our hearts go out to that, we have experienced significant and sustained enrollment growth. This increase affirms that families view UCW as a premier place for students to learn, grow, and succeed. In closing, we look forward to continuing our work as a vital contributor to the city
117of Chicago and ongoing success of the Woodlock community. Once again, our request for a five-year charter renewal is critical to continue the success for our students, families, and community at large. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you for your comments. The uh last speaker from University Chicago Charter School is Pascal LeBlanc, speaker number eight. >> Good afternoon. My name is Pascal LeBlanc and I'm an instructional coach at the University of Chicago Charter Schools here to request a five-year charter renewal, enabling us to continue being a trusted partner to our students, families, and community. I joined UCCCS as a special education teacher six years ago because as a native Southsider, I wanted to work at a school that not only strives for academic excellence, but demonstrates genuine care for and commitment to its community. I
118wanted to be a part of a place that provides needed resources and opportunities often withheld from black and brown children. UCCCS leverages strong community partnerships to expand learning beyond the classroom, such as providing year-round tutoring with the University of Chicago Neighborhood Schools program, swim instruction through the Southside YMCA, and experiential learning opportunities through Yellowstone Forever, where 10th and 11th grade students travel west to explore the outdoors and bring that learning back home to educate their peers and support local environmental efforts. I also watched GCCS transform an empty lot on our Woodlon campus into a vibrant athletic field open to the entire community and host semianual career fairs accessible to all CPS families. These efforts serve not only our students but our entire village because UCCCs believes in supporting the whole child by honoring and partnering
119with the families and communities that raise them. We respectfully request a 5-year renewal so we can continue investing in the children, families, and future of the south side of Chicago. Thank you so much for your time, consideration, and your invaluable partnership. Thank you for your comments. Next speaker is Camille Brooks, speaker number five. Good afternoon everyone. My child attends Jenner Ogden International Jenner Campus. I'm here today to advocate for him and seek support where he has not been given support by the administration that's failed on him in a network. My child has been the victim of physical, mental, and verbal abuse and retaliation from the staff members. He has been pushed, teased, threatened. He had and even had a whistle blown in his face. He's been refused his school lunch twice. He has been He's
120reprimmended and unfairly disciplined more than his peers for the same behaviors. He's had more he's getting written in school detentions and suspensions regularly. My son love athletics. He cannot join sports. When I asked about inquiring about joining sports, the very coach that has been threatening and um um abusing him has told collaborated with the assistant principal and said that he needs an outside special contract versus the one that the school has. He has a 504 plan that the case manager is refusing um and a special education coordinator are refusing my requested accommodations for my child. All these concerns plus more have been noted to the assistant principal at the principal. They are aware. The network is aware. They refuse to investigate any or draw up any incident reports or response to my emails. The network
121um has told me that they suggest that I take him out of the school. >> You have 30 seconds. No child should have to go through this from a school administration that should be protecting him. I'm trying to advocate for my son and nothing is going nothing has helped so far and this has been over years um of advocating for him. Something shouldn't have to go viral for people to take attention and help um to help with this school and what they're doing inside of this building. and he's even getting harassed off campus too by some of these staff members and so is my family and me. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. >> M someone will address you before you leave. We'll have staff address you before you leave. >> The next
122two speakers are from the Academy for Global Citizenship. Paulina Mosquo, speaker number seven. Good afternoon. Thank you for giving us the platform to speak on such an important topic. I want to start by telling you about the type of student that you will find at AGC and the one that I am advocating for. She's four years old. She loves reading and getting messy. She always has paint on her clothes and marker stains on her hands. She walks barefoot into her garden and takes large bites out of raw onion, tomatoes, and peppers. Her baba teaches them how to grow. Her mama stocks her art supplies, bakes with her, and teaches her about the respect that we should have for all living things. When she gets excited, and she is bursting with joy, she will take out
123her pinchers and run sideways like a crab. She's inquisitive, is learning Assyrian, Spanish, and English, loves to sing, and absorbs all the answers to our favorite question. Borqu mama, why? When thinking about what school her baba and I wanted her to go to, we dared to dream. We wanted a place that would take every little part of her and celebrate it. We talked about a place with a garden, with large windows to let the sun shine on her, with passionate and creative teachers that granted her patience, with healthy, delicious food, a place that reminds her that all living things have value and serve a special purpose in the world, including her. Her baba and I dare to dream out loud, but were not hopeful to find a place like this, especially in the southwest side
124of Chicago, until we decided to go visit AGC and we found that our dream was a reality. >> Amelia was coming home excited, sharing sign language with her baby sister and rumaging through our recycling bin to make her art. Every single staff member is smiling and valued there. It's another world, an inspirational world where children who respect life, celebrate people, and remember that they are part of something greater than our community. I ask that you please think of our students like my daughter who are granted this once-ina-lifetime opportunity to learn through inquiry, sustainability, and with social justice in mind as you renew our charter school for 10 more years. Thank you for letting me share my world for a bit and considering my request to see all the grandeur that AGC can accomplish within 10
125years. Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from Academy for Global Citizenship is Sarah Epo, speaker number 16. >> 21 years ago, I rode my bike to the board of education with a 600page proposal in my backpack and a dream to reimagine public education. I was 23 years old holding my bike helmet and if I'm being honest I think I had far more enthusiasm than I had experience. But that day I shared my conviction shaped by my travels to over a hundred countries and schools in these countries around the world that while innovation exists everywhere, access to it doesn't. And that every child in every Chicago zip code deserved access to an extraordinary public education. So easy peasy when you're 23, right? I shared our mission to cultivate the next generation of mindful leaders
126through a school grounded in global citizenship, social justice, wellness, and environmental sustainability. All delivered through this rigorous international baloria and dual language model. I also shared this bold vision that AGC would not only serve as a school but as a learning laboratory, an incubator of innovation that partners with re research institutions, supports district operated public schools and welcomes educators from across Chicago and around the world to learn, train, and grow. Today I stand before you as founder and executive director of the Academy for Global Citizenship, which I've had the honor of leading over the last 18 years and intend to lead into the next decade and beyond. >> Those early ambitions are no longer ideas over 10,000 educators, impacting 25% of Chicago public school students and reaching more than 5 million children globally through the
127dissemination of our model. With the launch of our new campus in phase two underway, we have built not just a school, but a sustainable community school model, a hub that strengthens families, educators, and neighborhoods. I respectfully request your consideration of a 10-year charter renewal so that we can continue to serve, innovate, and lead with stability, stewardship, and purpose. Thank you for believing in what is possible when vision and bold vision is grounded in accountability. >> Thank you for your comments. Our next speaker is Liliana Urban Urban, sorry. Speaker number nine is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. foreign. Okay. local in English. Introduction. forch. before. We'll now have the ch uh statement translated. >> Good morning board members, Dr. King. My name is Lilana Urban, active member of the BAC and PAC
128at Roberto Clemente High School. The main reason I've requested this opportunity to speak is because I believe that in order for a school to be successful, parents should have a seat at the table. However, my recent experiences trying to participate at the local school council have left me feeling deeply excluded. I have applied twice to my LSC and on both occasions I have met with perceptively discusses or excluding acts and specifically the use of language in those meetings as a barrier to understanding deployed against those that happen to not to not be bilingual. On January 12th this year, I attended the LSC meeting to witness the election of a new member. And this after I'd been told twice by school staff that I should apply online if I wish to attend. However, upon arriving, I
129was told that my online application was invalid because I apparently should have handed in a a printed copy. At the start of the meeting, I was told to leave the table and sit at the back of the meeting hall. Subsequently, the meeting took place almost entirely in English without any sort of interpretation. Even though the Roberto Clemente community has a Spanish-sp speakaking majority, even the Spanish-sp speakaking LSC members were not able to understand what was being said. I remained at the meeting only to find out too late that the election had supposedly taken place and that I had been excluded. Later, I joined the meeting virtually in order to express my concerns during the public participation section, but the session ended without parents having had the opportunity to obtain this to speak. I believe this
130process was profoundly unfair and it left me feeling deeply uncomfortable. If this is how we're treated, how are our children who are still learning English treated? My formal petition to this board is that you take the reigns in this matter and intervene ad amidst these irregularities. I also invite you to investigate, reconsider the elections held on January 12th and bring about a new electoral process, one that is supervised and completely bilingual. Please restore our confidence and ensure that the equity CPS speaks about so often is reality and permit Roberto Clemente parents to finally regain trust in the process. Thank you. >> The next speaker is Deshawn Simmons, speaker number 10. Good morning to our board. I'm Deshan Simmons, a fourth fifth grade teacher at Devorjac School of Excellence on Chicago West Side and Londale community.
131Uh, I also have Miss Janie Rucker who is also a part of our Vorjac family. I also serve as a member of the LSC and ILT from my school. I'm here today to express severe concerns about the physical upkeep of our building. And I want to thank Mr. Brown for answering my email um in a time sensitive uh manner. You all have photos that will help you get a visual of our concerns. Please know that this is a schoolwide concern amongst our staff and most importantly our families. We have rusted panels visible around the sides of our entire building. Living in this community and frequently passing by our building, I can see the rust from blocks away. One board member who visited us and thank you um thought that we had a fire when she
132visited. We are in need of a new playground. Our lot needs to be repaved and totally redone. We have metal pieces sticking up from the ground in the playground area that is very dangerous as our students use the playground both during and after school hours. This is the biggest concern I have. I know a lot of these issues take time to attend to, but I have been at Dorjac for five years, and this has been the state of our campus during my entire tenure. Our administration and school engineer has pushed for these concerns to be attended to and still met with no movement. During the summer, I drove throughout the north side of Chicago and saw the upkeep of the CPS buildings in those neighborhoods, and there was a vast difference between those schools and
133ours. This had saddened me as the staff here at Devorjac are just committed just as committed to our students and families as the communities as those and the communities as those that are on the north side. Please know that I have no problem with those schools receiving attention and resources. My only concern is that D'vor that is that schools like D'vorjac in the Londell community are not receiving the same attention and resources. As we all know building that uh walking into a building that is wellkept, warm and welcoming has the potential to shift the mindsets of students in the most positive ways. When we speak of looking at things through an equitable lens, this does not just apply to academics. the physical environment should be just as much a part a part of the conversation.
134Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Minda O'Neal, speaker 23. >> President Harding, can we have somebody address their concerns if possible? >> Please proceed. Good morning, president, board members, and community. My name is Miranda O'Neal, and I've been a CPS educator for over 19 years. And for the past eight years, I've serviced as a teacher at Soore Student Outreach and Re-engagement Program. I'm here today because Soore as a high school re-engagement and credit recovery program is being dismantled, and thousands of the most vulnerable students are paying the price. So was designed to service students aged 14 to 21 who have dropped out or truent or one to four credits from graduating. The heart of Soore has always been in-person credit recovery paired with mentoring and wraparound services that modeled
135work. In just the last two years, my colleagues and I have personally serviced over a thousand students and helped them to graduate with the help of our licensed in-person instruction. On December 1st, every licensed Soore high school teacher was devastatedly laid off mid year. Today, there are no licensed high school teachers at Soore. Yet, students are still being enrolled in credit recovery and left to fend for themselves. This is not just not in ineffective, but is unacceptable and potentially unlawful. Additionally, entire groups of students are now excluded. students too young for option schools, dropouts, truents, students with health and or mental health problems and needs, and the old and cold students that need in-person support. >> You have 30 seconds. >> At the same time, leadership claims that the program is intact. It is not.
136Credit recovery without teachers is not credit recovery. Encouragement without instruction is not education. I am asking this board to act. Restore licensed teachers. demand transparency and protect the thousands of our most vulnerable who are currently not being served. This does please do not allow this program to quietly disappear. I will or rather we all will see the consequences of our inaction with increased dropouts, lost futures, and broken trust. Thank you for your time and I want to reiterate to the board that we've sent a more detailed letter to all members of this board and we are really desperately waiting for you all to respond to us. We would appreciate it. Thank you so very much. >> Thank you for your comments. The next three speakers are from Urban Prepmies. Uh speaker number 13, Melvin Mack.
137Good morning. I am uh Mr. Melvin Mack. Proud of selflessness, class of 2026. I'm a senior at Urban Prep Englewood campus. Urban Prep has truly shaped me into the young man I am today. Over the past four years, this school has pushed me to grow, not just academically, but as a young man, but as a young man prepared for the real world. Urban Prep has taught me that success isn't given. It is earned through consistency, discipline, and hard work. The discipline I've learned at Urban Prep goes beyond the classroom. From showing up on time to holding myself accountable to setting high expectations for the future, Urban Prep has prepared me for life after school. after high school. These lessons have helped me develop confidence, resilience, and focus, qualities I know I'll carry carry with me
138forever. Urban Prep has also taught me the importance of building relationships. Coach Graham is not also Coach Graham is not only my football coach, but he has be he has become a second father to me inside of school from on the field to in the building. I also want to acknowledge my wonderful college counselor, Miss Wils, who works diligently with us each and every day. Miss Wils has guided guided us to uh through the college process uh pushed us to aim higher and never stopped believing in us. Her organization and consistent support has played a major role in my success. >> I am truly grateful for everything for our futures. Because of the foundation Urban Prep has provided for me, I've been blessed to receive over $1.4 million in prestigious scholarships. So far, uh, so
139far I've been accepted into Roosevelt University, Northern Illinois University, Ball State University, Illinois Wesley University, Bradley University, and the un the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and uh, many more totaling up to 35 acceptances. Urban Prep isn't just preparing me for college, it is preparing me for life. I am proud of how far I've come and thank you. We believe. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Dr. Terren Bridges, Senior, Speaker number 20. Greetings to the distinguished board of members of the Chicago public schools as well as all of the community members who are present. I'm Dr. Terrence A. Bridges and I'm the proud father of a young man who attends Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men. I chose Urban Prep because of the reputation that preceded it. But more
140importantly, I wanted my son to be educated by people who look like him, staff who understood his lived experience and were able to adjust their pedagogical models to be affirming, culturally relevant, and empowering to my child. I've been encouraged by my choice for my son to attend Urban Prep Academy again and again. At Urban Prep, I've seen increased accountability, a strong sense of community, and intentional care for my son's academic success and social emotional well-being. I've watched teachers go beyond expectations, challenging him when he exceeded the standards, coordinating additional support for him and for me as a single father, and taking time outside of their schedules to meet with us as parents and to provide a continued positive influence amongst he and his peers. Schools like Urban Prep must remain open and accessible to Chicago
141families because Urban Prep continues to outpace the city and state in attendance, graduation rates, college enrollment, and African-American freshman on track metrics. For 16 consecutive years, 100% of Urban Prep graduates have been accepted into four-year colleges. And at a time when fewer than 40% of black males nationwide graduate high school college ready, >> 30 seconds. Urban Prep teaches black boys to know who they are, the value of their identity, and helps them to build their futures. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Urban Prep has been an essential part of my village, and it has helped my student with college readiness, culturally relevant instruction, and a representation in faculty and leadership. I close with the reflection of my brother, Freeman Montigue, Jr., our family trees are not the same. We
142both have a different mother. And yet I proudly tell the world that these children are my others. When asked why I carry the weight of another, I simply smile and say they aren't heavy. These children are my others. Urban Prep is the way. >> Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from Urban Prepmies is Caleb Hayden, speaker 26. >> Good morning, board of education. My name is Caleb Hayden. I am a senior at Urban Prep AC Academy Bronzeville. I'm standing here today because this school changed my perspective on life and even college. Urban Prep didn't just educate me, it believed in me. It pushed me academically, supported me when I struggle, and taught me how to lead as a young black student athlete. Schools like Urban Prep matter because they see students like me
143not as statistics, but as potential. In fact, Urban Prep has achieved 100% college acceptance rate for graduating seniors for 16 consecutive years. nationally for fewer young black male students enrolled directly in college after fewer young black male students enrolled directly in college after high school which shows how powerful this model truly is. Prep is a hands-on learning environment because the school is close-knit. Teachers truly know us and are involved in our growth. We're not just sitting in classroom. We're giving real learning experiences and opportunities to step up, take action, and lead as young black men. During my sophomore year, I was able to speak with the city council about fixing our football field in order to have home games. I was nervous, but it prepared me to speak in rules I would otherwise not be
144in. I'll be blessed with I've been blessed with the opportunity to travel colleges, universities all around the country like LSU, Southern University, Notre Dame, NIOU, Diller, Chicago State, and many more to come. Um, I've got the chance to advocate for my school since I was a freshman. 30 seconds remaining >> which has prepared me for today. Erin Prep has all also provided strong guidance through the college process especially for junior decisions taking those big next steps before I was exposed to the collegiate path. I was considering going to the trade route. Though it is nothing wrong with trade. Urban prep showed me that I can compete in the college scene not all not only as a athlete but as a student. Many students never hear or attempt to complete a fast until the end of
145their senior year. But the lack of support but the lack because of the lack of support but urban prep guides us from the start to finish. Our teachers collaborate with us help us write and revise our personal essays assist with finding scholarships and stay engaged throughout our entire college journey so we are prepared and confident in choosing the right college. >> Thank you for your comments. The next two speakers are from Intrinsic Schools. Jasmine Castillo, speaker 17. Hello to everyone present here today. I am a parent to Felix, a freshman at Intrinsic School's Belmont campus. Felix has been with Intrinsic since seventh grade. Support and community have always been paramount to me, especially because my son has had an IEP since probably about first grade. It takes a village and I wanted to make sure
146that I found a school that fostered a sense of community structure and that value student learning, actual learning. And at Intrinsic, we found this and more. Their pod system and easy access to office hours helped him learn at his pace build his confidence and encouraged his curiosity for learning. And not the type of copy and paste data learning, but the actual learning that piqued his interest that got him to engage in class that uh got him to be curious and that taught him to actually comprehend what he was learning. Thanks to that and the constant support and encouragements from teachers, social workers, deans, staff, and our principal, Mrs. Trojan, he feels safe, empowered, supported, and seen. He believes in himself, his power of knowledge and his capac his capabilities. And this is something impressive from
147a boy who hated asking for help or admitting that he was struggling. I cannot tell you how proud I am that he now advocates for himself because he'll be taking an AP class next year. I was so excited to get that call. When I say that the staff is dedicated, I mean they're dedicated. The teacher, staff, and principal are often at the school after hours, even on Saturdays for meetings. Whether it's post-secary nights, network nights to expose our students to more than just a four-year college or four-year degree, they're there fighting for their students to have a better future, but more importantly, fighting for their students to want a better future. This is why I'm asking and championing for their contract renewal for a seven-year term. Our community and our students deserve the recognition for
148all the work and the support from CPS. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. The last speaker from Intrinsic Schools is Jamie EPS, speaker 24. >> Hello LCPS board members. My name is Jamie EPS and I'm a proud intrinsic parent. Um I'm here today strong support for seven-year renewal of Trinit schools in Belmont campus. Uh my family story with intrinsic spans years and generations. My wife and I have two sons graduated from and both went on to be Posi scholars. One at Oberlin in Ohio and other at WMadison distinction that reflects in not only their academic readiness but their leadership, confidence and sense of purpose. We thank intrinsic postsecary team for aligning with us to instill these traits. And today we also have an eighth grader who currently is thriving at intrinsic deeply engaged
149in the performing arts program where creativity, discipline, and identity are nurtured every day for her. What makes intrinsic special goes beyond test scores, graduation rates. Um, Intrinsic creates a culture where students are known, challenged, and supported, and where families are true partners in work. Through the parent ambassador program, my wife and I have held the opportunity to grow alongside our children. We've learned how to advocate, how to lead, and how to empower not just ourselves, but other parents across our community. Intrinsic doesn't just educate students, it strengthens families. A seven-year re renewal matters because stability matters. It also it allows schools like Intrinsic to plan boldly, invest deeply, and continue delivering the long-term outcome our children deserve. Intrinsic has shows consist consistent impact, strong accountability, and a deep comm commitment to the Chicago community. You
150have 30 seconds remaining. >> For my family and for thousands of families across the city, Intrinsic has been life-changing in a special place to learn, to grow, and to belong. I respectfully urge the board to grant Intrinsic schools a seven-year renewal so this impact can continue to many for many for years to come. Thank you for your time consideration. >> Thank you for your comments. The next speaker is Kat Trust, speaker number 19. Good afternoon board members. Uh thank you all for your service. We do appreciate the work that you do and I would be remissed if I didn't stand here first and commend you for that. Um to Dr. King and all of the esteemed members of the Chicago Board of Education. I am here on behalf of the Westside branch of the NAACP
151asking the board to consider keeping Dr. King on as our CEO until the new board comes in. We understand that there are things that she's trying to do. Um, we appreciate what she's doing with the back black student achievement success committee. We are grateful to Dr. King as well as the board for bringing that back and opening up that application process and especially in these times when we are all concerned about what is happening all over the country. We certainly don't want to forget about our black students who are struggling. I am so proud of the young people who stood here earlier and talked about their AP process and how they're learning not just things to prepare them for college, but they're learning a trade as well. But we need to see that happening all
152over the city. And Dr. King has been committed to making sure that we're not just seeing those programs in the magnet schools that were listed or the select enrollment schools, but we are seeing them in other schools. and as a four-year star substitute teacher for swing education. And I can say that because we generally teach in charter schools and I want you to think about the fact that there are a lot of us who are championing education who are not just in CPS schools but are in charter schools are and are fighting for the best for those students. So, as you make those selections and those judgments, please keep that in mind. Thank you. >> Thank you for your comments. >> Our last speaker is Katie Baltisa, speaker 28. Good afternoon board. My name is
153Katy. I have two children that attend Salmon P. Chase Elementary and it's located on the northwest side. And I'm here today because I'm concerned. Our community is concerned. In the beginning of October 2025, the city of Chicago saw an onslaught of militarized ICE and Border Patrol agents in our communities. We saw our neighbors intimidated, threatened, attacked, and kidnapped by mass immigration enforcement agents. These attacks in our community directly affected and continue to affect parents and their children that attend CPS. There have been many efforts by our parents, our teachers, our neighbors all over Chicago to support families. We have banded together in truly beautiful and loving ways to support one another. And while this has been successful in getting many children safely to and from school, we know that it is not enough. I am
154asking the board to support an effort to provide a remote learning option for any family who does not feel safe leaving their home and sending their children to school. No parent or student should fear stepping out of their home. Their fear is valid. We have seen mass agents with guns who are intent on using aggression and intimidation to send people to detention centers for deportation. We have seen the extent of their tactics and it's frightening. CEO >> seconds remaining. >> You mentioned earlier that you met with students at Kelly and they are also seeing what is happening and they are also worried and concerned and we had hoped that these aggressive and ruthless tactics would ease but as we have witnessed in Minnesota those tactics are just escalating. Uh there does not seem to be
155any end in sight for ICE and border patrol to end their occupation in our communities. Just earlier this week, we saw ICE and Immigration Enforcement agents tearing our terrorizing our community near Mosart Elementary. Board member Rivas, that is a school you represent. Illinois Representative Himenez was scheduled to speak today, but she received a call this morning that a CPS parent and her constituent was abducted. Board, I am asking you to step up. >> It's time to step up. >> Thank you for your comments. President Horn, we also have an elected official who would like to address the board. Illinois State Representative Lillian Jimenez from the fourth district who is joining us virtually. Please enter star six to unmute. >> Hello board. My name is Lilian Himenez, a state representative for the fourth district, which covers
156Ukrainian Village, Westtown, Humble Park, parts of the West Side, Arosa, and Belmont Kan. Um, thank you so much for giving us this moment to speak to you. Um, I'm I'm glad I followed up um a neighbor um who just mentioned some of the things I wanted to speak about as well. Um the question that I wanted to raise was regarding uh remote options and the reason I say it is there has been a lot of fear in our community and I would like to be a partner to the board to make sure that we figure out the solution to this crisis that we're seeing before us. Um this morning um as I was on my way to an LSC meeting at 7:30 at Cameron's school, we received notification um that there was an ICE um
157arrest and abduction um around the corner from um the school for from Cameron's school. At that moment, um I'm on a parent chat with many of the parents and at least five members of on that chat said they were not going to send their child to school this very morning. Many other people in the chat um expressed fear um that they had just dropped their kids off or they were um you know they had no choice. Um and so there was a bit of chaos this morning um as I was leaving the because I was at the LC meeting at 7:30 and I was leaving at 8:30 with schools letting in and this is when I'm seeing all these messages coming in. Um and so the reason I I express this to you is um
158because this is happening across the the city in many many times many many parents are being forced to answer this question every morning. Um it's very chaotic for families. It's very chaotic for children to not have a plan B. Um I don't know if any of those children's called the parents called the school wrote a letter explain why their child's not going to school. I don't know if those kids will be reprimanded. I don't know um that how they will be impacted. But we what we do know is that children that are not in a learning environment is not good for any of us if they're not able to learn um and to have some type of access to education during this type of crisis. I also mention this because we've seen the escalation in
159Minneapolis and we've seen that in um Minneapolis there were um policies put in place to address um remote learning um given the fact that the chaos that was happening in the streets and that the school board decided that there had to be an option and alternate alternative for children to continue to learn and to feel as safe as possible throughout this crisis. And so, um, I'm here to ask you humbly to, um, consider making a plan for remote access for our communities who are going through this crisis now, today, but also thinking ahead to the future in the next few days and weeks. Um, how this period of time is going to be very chaotic for families and to offer an alternative would be helpful. And again, humbly asking for you to consider um remote
160options and to have a conversation with you ongoing with the state legislature if that is what's needed to give you the opportunity to move forward. But I think what we'd like to see from you is um an interest and a plan um and information because you are the body that understands the public schools and the needs of the children in public schools. And so we'd like to see I would like to see um you all having a request or a plan for a policy that address this type of situation that happened this very morning at the school where my son my seven-year-old son attends Cameron school. And then later on I just want to mention and I'll finish is that we found out later that the children impacted actually go to Piccolo which is nearby
161um and also Clemente. And so now the two children um from that one of them go to Piccolo and one of them at Clemente today do not have their father in their home and their mother is in a panic trying to find out what where their father is and so that is just a reality um that we are facing on a daily basis and today of all days I wanted to share that with you. Thank you so much for your time. Um I know you all have uh the care in your heart for the children um and that you are are hoping to do the best for them and I hope that you consider a remote policy. Thank you. Thank you for your comments, President Hart. And this concludes public participation. >> We'll now move
162into a short recess. Board member Pope, do you have motion MO1? >> I do. Uh I move that the board take a 30 minute recess. >> Is there a second? Carlos, that's you. >> Second. >> Thank you. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. Yes, >> member Smith. >> I, >> member Lopez. >> I, >> member Vez. >> I, >> member Bole. >> Yes, >> member Wallace. >> I, >> member Kuster. >> I, >> member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> Hi. >> Member Bannon. >> Hi. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> Hi. >> Member Biggs. Yes. >> Member Thodakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> Yes. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I 19 I zero
163naz. This motion is adopted. This meeting will now go into a 30 minute recess. The meeting of the board of education is reconvened. Board members will now open the floor for questions or comments on items related to the public agenda. I'd like to note that the unfinished business items from December 18th board me December 18th board meeting will be separate votes taken after MO3. So you can provide your questions and comments for those items before we proceed with each separate vote. Are there any comments or questions or other items on the public agenda? Or are there any reports that any of you wish to remove from the consent agenda as a separate vote? >> Me. >> Um yeah, I just have a comment on one of the items. Um it's the item regarding uh trainers.
164So, um I I was uh given a list of the additional schools that were added or at least seven of the eight schools that were added. Um but I've gone back and I've uh compared like the the high school populations and the opportunity indexes for the schools and I'm just not seeing a pattern of how the schools are chosen that get to receive the trainers. Um so I'm I'm wondering how the decision is made. I understand that bigger schools might merit a trainer because you have a lot more uh student athletes to take care of. Um but I also understand that we're steady talking about you know we want to increase equity and so we want schools that um you know tend to not get to have the opportunity to have trainers and I'm just
165not seeing how either of those things are actually being met by some of these choices. So I would like uh probably not today but for somebody to provide an understanding of how those choices are being made. >> Member Zachor, can you pose that question to the board office specifically so we could track the follow up on it? Just send it. Okay. Your mic is off. Your mic is off. >> Oh, sorry. Uh sure. I think I have passed that on. But I also have um charts from last year and this year uh showing like school population uh opportunity index and what schools are being chosen. >> We'll make sure you get followed up. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Are there any other questions or comments related to public agenda? >> We'll now proceed with the
166vote on public agenda items. Board Secretary, please proceed. >> Thank you, President Harden. I'll proceed with the items on the public agenda. Read the board report numbers and brief titles. I believe board member Brown has motion MO2 regarding the record of proceedings. I move that the record of proceedings of the agenda review committee meeting of December 3rd, 2025, board meeting of December 18th, 2025, and special board meeting of December 29th, 2025, prepared by the board secretary be approved, and that such records of proceedings be posted on the Chicago Board of Education website in accordance with section 206B of the Open Meetings Act. >> Is there a second? >> I second. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. Oh, I'm sorry. For the record, she did um vote yes. Member Smith. >> I. >> Member
167Lopez. >> Hi. >> Member VeZ. Member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. I. >> Member Post. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> Hi. >> Member Bannon. >> Hi. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. >> Member Biggs. >> Yes. >> Member Thodicura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I. >> Member VeZ. >> Uh what are we voting on? Voting on the motion for proceedings. >> I >> 18 eyes, zero nays. This motion is adopted by the board. >> President Harden, I'll continue with items that do require a vote. RS1, resolution waving the legislative agenda approval. RS2 resolution authorizing and approving the amendment of board report uh execution and
168delivery of amendments to supplemental indentures authorizing the issuance of educational purposes tax anticipation notes in a maximum principal amount not to exceed $1 bill650 million outstanding and related matters. RS3 resolution authorize appointment of members to LLC's to fill vacancies. EX1 transfer of funds. OP1 disposition of bids received for the sale of property located at 5345 West Congress Parkway and 5400 West Harrison Street. OP2 disposition of bids received for the sale of property located at 2221 South Lawndale Avenue. President Harden OP1 and OP2 were both draft on agenda. The final reports will be included in the agenda of action. I'll continue with PR1. authorized the second final renewal agreement with ATI Holdings LLC. PR2 authorized new agreements with Facility Optimization Solutions LLC and the Gordian Group, Inc. PR3, report on the award of construction contracts and
169changes to construction contracts for the capital improvement program. PR4 amends the first and final renewal agreement with Kerasoft Technology Corp. President Harden, this amendment is necessary to ensure the continued security of the school district's digital infrastructure. I'll continue with PR5. Authorize a new agreement with ODP Business Solutions LLC. President Harden, these items do require a vote. >> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. I. >> Member Smith. I >> member Lopez. >> I >> member VeZ. >> I >> member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I >> member Kuster. >> I >> member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> I. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >>
170Me. Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. Member Biggs, >> yes. >> Member Thodicur, >> yes. >> Member Blae, >> I. >> Member Zachor, >> yes. >> Member Deberry, >> I. >> 19 eyes, zero naz. These matters are adopted by the board. President Harden, I'll continue with additional items on the public agenda that do not require a vote. PR6 chief procurement officer delegation of authority report for October and November 2025 and chief financial officer report for October in November 2025. PR7 chief procurement officer quarterly report of pre-qualified vendor expenditures pursuant to board rule 7-10. EX2 report on principal contracts new. EX3 report on principal contracts renewals. AR1 report on board report recisions. President Harden, these items just need to be accepted by the board. >> Please mark received and filed. >> President
171Harden, I'll continue with items from the acting general counsel that do require a vote. AR2, appoint assistant general counsel, Brooke Evans. AR3, appoint assistant general counsel, Katherine Writinskis, Greg Grinski. Sorry about that. AR4 amend authorize continued retention retention of various outside council law firms. President Harden, this amendment is necessary to increase spending authority for six outside council law firms. For the record, I I would like to note an abstension for board member Gutierrez for the following law firms on AR4. Burke, Warren, McKay, and Saratell PC, Meer Brown LLP, and Greenberg Trrow LLP. I'll continue with AR5, workers compensation payment for lumpsum settlement for Linda Galade. AR6, workers compensation payment for lumpsum settlement for Latasha Little. AR7, workers compensation payment for lumpsum settlement for Soretta Sims. AR8 approved payment of proposed settlement regarding Janet Doe, mother
172and next friend of John Doe, a minor versus board of education. President Harden, these items do require a vote. >> Is there a motion? >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> I second. >> I'll proceed with a roll call. >> Member Lozano. >> Yes. >> Member Smith. >> I. >> Member Lopez. >> I. >> Member Valz. >> I. >> Member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. I member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> I >> member Bannon. >> I >> vice president Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez with a noted abstension on AR. >> I >> four. >> Member Biggs. >> Yes. >> Member Member Thodicura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> I. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes.
173Member Deberry >> I 19 I zero naz these matters are adopted by the board. >> President Harden I'll continue with an item from the interim superintendent chief executive officer that does require a vote ex4 warning resolution Valerie Watts tenure teacher assigned to the Sorry for a second. Sorry, that's how the board report reads. Warning resolution Valerie Watts, tenure teacher assigned to the Chicago Board of Education. EX5, warning resolution, Marilyn Faulenberg, tenure teacher assigned to the Chicago Board of Education. President Harden, these items do require a vote. >> Is there a motion? So moved. >> Is there a second? >> I second the motion. >> Thank you. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. >> Abstain. >> Member Smith. >> I. >> Member Lopez. >> I. >> Member VeZ. >> I. >> Member Bole. >>
174Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> Hi. >> Member Kuster. Hi. >> Member Pope. >> Yes. For the record, that was a yes. Item uh for the court reporter, member Rivas, >> yes. >> Member Brown, >> yes. >> Member Rio Sierra, >> I. >> Member Bannon, >> I. Me. >> Vice President Bautista, >> yes. >> Member Gutierrez, >> I. >> Member Biggs, >> yes. >> Member Thorakura, >> yes. >> Member Blae, >> I. >> Member Zachor, >> yes. >> Member Deberry, >> I. 18 eyes, zero nays, one abstension. These matters are adopted by the board. President Harden, I'll continue with items from the board of education board that do require a vote. RS4, resolution approving interim superintendent chief executive officer's recommendation to dismiss educational personnel. RS5 resolution approving interim superintendent chief executive officers recommendation to dismiss probationary
175appointed teachers. President Harden, this res resolution is being updated to remove Raven Krupa and Eric Pippinger from the dismissal resolution. Raven Krupa resigned effective January 29th, 2026 and Eric Pippinger resigned effective 20 January 23rd, 2026. The final resolution will be included in the agenda of action. President Harden, these items do require a vote. >> Is there a motion? Is there a second? >> I second the motion. >> I'm sorry, I missed who moved Sagore. Okay. U member Lozano >> abstain. >> Member Smith. >> I. >> Member Lopez. I >> member VeZ. >> I >> member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I >> member Kuster. >> I >> member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> For the court reporter. That was a yes. Member Rio Sierra.
176>> I. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. >> Member Biggs. >> Yes. Member Thodakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blaise. >> I. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I. >> 18 eyes, zero nazs, one abstension. These matters are adopted by the board. >> President Harden. I believe board member Alles has motioned M3. >> Although we're incredibly good-looking, both of us. >> I'm sorry about that. >> I move. I I agree with you. >> Seconds that motion. Uh I move that the board adopt the minutes of the closed session meeting of December 3rd, 2025 and December 18th, 2025 pursuant to section 2.06 of the Open Meetings Act. Board members reviewed these minutes and have determined that the need for confidentiality exists. Therefore, the minutes
177of the close session meetings held December 3rd, 2025 and December 18th, 2025 shall be maintained as confidential and not available for public inspection. >> Is there a second? >> I second the motion. Thank you. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano, >> yes. >> Member Smith, >> yes. >> Member Lopez, >> I. >> Member VeZ, >> I. >> Member Bole, >> yes. Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. >> I. Member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> I. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. >> Member Biggs. >> Yes. >> Member Thodakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> I. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. I >> 19 eyes's zero nazs.
178The this motion is adopted by the board. >> Before we proceed with unfinished business, I did want to offer a opportunity for Dr. Carmona to address the remote learning. Want to make sure we are responsive to this continual theme. >> Absolutely. Thank you uh President Horton. Uh just wanted to clarify to the audience uh that our district continues to be committed uh to providing uh in-person learning for our students and there are some difficulties on switching to remote as we have spoken uh before uh in the board. Uh right now the state law doesn't allow the district to um uh invoke a remote or blended learning opportunity as this is require or that of this requires the governor to declare a disaster due to a public health emergency and that the state superintendent declared the
179requirements uh for us to and or the criteria for us to implement uh that remote learning. We do have an option for e-learning that will allow us for five days uh of e-learning instruction. Um uh this cannot be uh called or uh used uh prevent preemptively. Uh so it cannot be a schedule from that regards. Uh but the the district currently does not have an e-learning policy. Uh and that's something that we are disclo this discussing currently to see what is the physibility for the district to have that type of policy. There's some obstacles to it and you have seen probably some school districts last week on Friday when they closed that they switch to e-learning for some district is easier because they do have the resources particularly when it comes to internet and devices
180for the students. So that's something that we have to consider as we look at e-learning uh options but the e-learning doesn't necessarily help us when it comes to the remote learning that families are are requesting. that is right now not permitted by the law and we continue working with our labor partners um the city of Chicago uh and other um CBOS to help us in putting together a plan to actually provide those interventions that are needed for students that either have fear to come to our schools or are missing too many days of school. want to clarify that is very important when the students are missing just a few days which happens um even outside of uh law enforcement or federal law enforcement uh our classroom teachers are able to provide the needed intervention when
181students are missing once again a few days it becomes more complex when students are missing five 10 days of instruction is almost impossible for a classroom teacher to um to really bring up uh that learning for that many days this is where that tier 2 intervention that we're working with our labor partners kicks in uh for us to make sure that we create systems and protocols to provide that support to students either within the school day or outside of the school day. >> Thank you, Dr. Carmona. We are very sensitive to this issue and I'm going to ask that we proactively continue to provide updates to the community on where we are with this issue. Thank you. Uh board members, I would like to note that the following unfinished business item from December 18, 2025
18225-1218- RS2, the resolution to authorize appointment of members to local school councils to fill vacancies and 25-128- RS3 resolution by the board of education of the city of Chicago regarding the dismissal of Okay, that's a little tough. Eay is the last name. Tenure teacher assigned to Ronald Brown Elementary Community Academy will be separate votes. So you could provide your questions and comments for those items before we proceed with separate votes. Board Secretary, please proceed. >> President Harden, we will now proceed with the unfinished business items from December 18th, 2025. I will read the board report numbers and brief titles. These items do require a vote. 251218 RS2 resolution authorized appointment of members to local school councils to fill vacancies. President Harden, this resolution was adopted in part in December Hancock High School and Owen Elementary
183School were the deferred items from the December 18th, 2020 2025 board meeting. >> Is there a motion? >> I move to divide the question. >> I believe we need a motion on the floor for the item itself first. So moved on the item >> that was uh board member Kuster. >> I'll second >> in Bannon. >> President Harden, if you want to open up the floor to discussion of the item. >> Yes. >> Four is open for discussion. >> Yeah, we'd like to be able to divide the uh the vote. So, we we'll vote on um Owen and we will uh move Hancock until our February meeting. >> That would be a separate motion for Hancock to um the uh defer it to another meeting. So, what we can do is take a vote on
184the motion on the floor right now, which is to divide the question question separating Owen and Hancock. >> Correct. So we'll take a vote on the sep uh motion to divide the question. >> Thank you. We need a second. >> Second. >> Lopez. Okay. Thank you. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. >> I. >> Member Smith. >> I. >> Member Lopez. >> I. >> Member VeZ. >> I. >> Member Bole. I >> member Wallace. >> I >> member Kuster. >> I member Pope. >> Abstain. >> Member Rivas. >> I. >> Member Brown. >> I. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> I. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Hi. >> She stepped away. Uh, member Gutierrez. >> Hi. >> Member Biggs. Yes, >> member Thodakura. >> Yes, >> member Blae. >>
185I >> member Zachor. >> Abstain. >> Member Deberry. >> I. >> 16 eyes, zero nazs, two abstensions. This motion is adopted by the board to separate dividing the question separating Hancock and Owen. We'll go back to voting on the resolution, the unfinished business item from 251218 RS2. This resolution, you're only voting on the um appointment to Owen School. I'll proceed a motion. >> So moved. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Will we The motions are already st standing. Kuster motioned. U Bannon seconded. I proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano, >> could you clarify for us what we're voting? >> So, this is the unfinish finished business item from December. It's the resolution um appointment of LSC to fill vacancies. And the appointment you're voting on here because it was deferred is Owen. >> Is just Owen.
186Okay. >> Is just Owen. Member Lozano. >> Yes. >> Member Smith. >> I. >> Member Lo Lopez. >> I. >> Member VeZ. >> I. >> Member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. >> I. >> Member Pope. >> Abstain. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. Hi >> member Bannon. >> I >> member Gutierrez. >> I >> member Biggs. >> Yes. >> Member Thorakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> Abstain. >> Member Zachor. >> No. >> Member Deerry. >> I. >> 15. eyes, one nay, two abstensions. The matter uh is adopted by the board and this is to um for the Owen appointment. I can move. >> Yes, you can move on to the next motion. >> I move to table the vote on
187the appointment of Hancock to the next regular board meeting of February 26. >> I second the motion. Thank you. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano. >> Abstain. >> Member Smith. >> I. >> Member Lopez. >> I. >> Member Veles. >> I. >> Member Bole. >> Yes. >> Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. Hi. Member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> Hi. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. >> Member Biggs. >> Yes. >> Member Thorakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> I. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I. >> 17 eyes. Zero nays, one abstension. This motion is adopted by the board. The item is deferred for Hancock appointment to February 26, 2025. I'm
188sorry, February 26, 2026. President Hard, I will continue with 251218 RS3 resolution by the board of education of the city of Chicago regarding the dismissal of ad a debaccy eay tenure teacher assigned to Ronald Brown Elementary community academy. President Harden for the record this resolution accepts the hearing officer's recommendation for dismissal. Ad a ad a debacy eay is hereby dismissed. >> Is there a motion? So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. I'll proceed. I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> We're open the matter up for discussion. >> Comments. >> Mr. Chairman, point of order, please. I want to uh recommend that we table uh the dismissal of Adabci Eay to the next meeting. And I believe that there was information that she sent to each board member um disputing the claims that
189were made against her. And I just think that before we uh end the career of an educator um particularly a black educator that has already been purged out of CPS that we do our due diligence. And that's so I'm I'm asking that we table this into the fe >> I think your mics had just cut off. >> Sorry. M check. M check. To make sure that um she have we have the opportunity to review the information that I believe that she sent to each board member. Um I think before we end somebody's career, we should do our due diligence and make sure we're making an informed decision. Is there a second? >> A second. >> Okay. Uh I am taking a roll call on the motion to table unfinished business item 251218 RS3 the dismissal
190for Advis Eay to the next regular board meeting February 26, 2026. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano >> I. Member Smith. >> No. >> Member Lopez. >> I. >> Member VeZ. >> I. >> Member Bole. >> No. >> Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. >> No. >> Member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> No. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. Member Rio Sierra. >> I. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> Hi. >> Member Biggs. >> No. >> Member Thorakura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> Hi. >> Member Zachor. >> Yes. >> Member Deberry. >> I. >> 14. Eyes, five nazs. Zero obstensions. This motion to table the unfinished business item 251218 RS3 to the next regular board meeting of February 26, 2026 has
191been adopted. We'll now move it to executive session. Or member Bole, do you have motion mo? I move for the passage of motion number 26-0129- MO4 and the commencement of a closed session to consider matters permitted under section 2C of the open meetings act subsection 1 as specified in the motion. >> Is there a second? >> I second. I'll proceed with a roll call. Member Lozano >> I. Member Smith >> I. >> Member Lopez >> I. Member VeZ. >> I. >> Member Bole. >> Hi. >> Member Wallace. >> I. >> Member Kuster. >> I. >> Member Pope. >> Yes. >> Member Rivas. >> Yes. >> Member Brown. >> Yes. >> Member Rio Sierra. >> Hi. >> Member Bannon. >> I. >> Vice President Bautista. >> Yes. >> Member Gutierrez. >> I. >> Member Biggs. >>
192I. Member Thodicura. >> Yes. >> Member Blae. >> I. Member Zachar. >> Yes. >> Member sorry she stepped away. 17 I zero naz. This motion is adopted by the board. >> We'll now go into call session. >> The board meeting of the board of education is reconvened. Board secretary, please proceed. >> President Hard, I would like to note for the record that there are no items to vote on from executive session. I do want to also read into record that the um EX4 warning resolution Valerie Watts tenure teacher uh assigned to Morgan Park High School and EX5 warning resolution Marilyn Faulenberg tenure teacher assigned to William Howard Taft High School. Both of these items were draft on agenda and the finals will be included in the agenda of action. I also want to read into
193record that the correct tally for motion MO4 was 18 eyes, zero nays, and zero abstensions. The motion did um was adopted. >> Thank you. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? We are. Thank you. Bye.